OFFICERS

~ President ~ Barb Schneider

E 367 County Rd. J Wausau, WI 54403

715-845-6784 barb6784@aol.com

~ Vice-President ~

Mark Merten 4761 Hwy 144,

Slinger WI 53086 262-644-0568

brenmark2@frontier.com

~ Secretary ~ Chris Szot

110 W Norrie street Ironwood, MI 49938

906-932-6044 cszot@charter.net

~ Treasurer ~ Dick Horneck

W11120 South Shore Dr. Deerbrook, WI 54424

715-275-4359 cdhorndick@verizon.net

~ Directors ~ Steve Hubing

W2255 Hwy 73

Granton, WI 54486

715-897-7024 steve@hubings.com

Chuck Decker 2821 Bristol Mountain Trl

Green Bay, WI 54313 920-639-9966

Chuck@UncleSamFireworks.com

Kathleen Anderson 5904 10th Ave. South

Minneapolis, MN 55417 612-229-2355

katherine605@gmail.com

Al Everson N1872 Julius Dr.

Greenville, WI 54942 920-216-2780

kantever@gmail.com

website: www.wpag.us Issue Number 3 Volume 18 June 2014

President’s Column - June 2014 By: Barb Schneider

It’s been just a few days since our first club meeting and shoot this year, and only two weeks to our next club meeting. It looks like a fast summer! As you know, we had our elections at the May meeting, and I’m now your new presi-dent. In addition, Chris Szot was re-elected as Secretary, and our new board members are Katherine Anderson and Chuck Decker. I am looking forward to my new role with WPAG, in my opinion the best fireworks club in the country!

Of course, one of the reasons we have the great club we do is thanks to the leadership of Larry Huber for the last six years. He has assured me he will continue to be a very active member, and will always be available for guid-ance and help. I know I can count on him both as past president and a valued close friend. (He’ll keep those containers as ship-shape as ever too!) Greg Zimmerman is also retiring from the board after seven years. Greg was the voice of common sense, and willing to help with any project we did. He was the Fusee editor from 2005 to 2011, and is responsible for updating it to the current full color format. Finally, Eric Hunkins is stepping down from the board after four years. His limitless knowledge of the chemistry and construction of fireworks, and his willingness to share that information brought our club build-ers to a new level, and we all hope that continues as well. I want to thank every one of them for their years of service. It has been a pleasure working with them on the board. THANK YOU!

Now, a few things about the June 7 shoot. Starting at 12 Noon on Saturday Brian Klapper will do his ‘Class “C” Device Modification for Your Backyard Show’ seminar just in time for your summer parties. Jerry Kobierecki will demonstrate building a 8” Multi – Petal Ball Shell at 1:00 PM, and at 2:00 PM Larry Huber and John Jagerson will finish up with ‘Tips and Tricks for making Cremora Fireball Effects”. It should be a fun and informative day.

Speaking of seminars, we had three excellent ones at the May meeting. Thank you to Jim Biersach for his black powder rocket seminar, Jerry Kobierecki for his seminar on calculating the number of stars and placement methods for 8” Multi – Petal ball shells, and Deb and Dennis Grejczyk for their very valuable and informative First Aid Refresher. I hope it can be repeated every year!

Continued on page 2

Online Edition

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non-profit association of industry professionals, ap-

prentices, and enthusiasts. Readers are urged to

learn and obey all laws and regulations of the

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cies and representatives. Any information or tech-

niques presented herein are documentary in nature,

and no opinion is given regarding suitability

or use.

The WPAG, its officers, editor, agents, and mem-

bers assume no liability for the accuracy of any in-

formation contained herein, and each of them dis-

claims any responsibility for any loss or injury oc-

casioned by any use of, or attempt to duplicate,

any device, assembly, or formula that may be de-

MEMBERSHIP INFO

Single Membership - $50.00 Includes (1) one vote, 1 Newsletter

Family Membership - $75.00 Immediate family only - Includes (1) one vote, 1 Newsletter

Corporate Membership - $100.00 Includes (2) two votes, 1 Newsletter

($25 each for up to 2 add’l staff or family with no vote)

One Week Membership - $10.00

~ ADVERTISING RATES - Club Members Only ~ Up to 1/4 page - $10.00 • 1/2 page - $15.00

Full page - $25.00 Please send ads to Chris (cszot@charter.net)

Presidents column continued…….

Thanks to Sheila and Larry Vohs for the great ribs at the May pot-luck. We have what I’m sure will be a very tasty main course from Dale and Mitzi Stoltzman coming up at the June pot-luck. Remember to bring those side dishes! I’d like to thank everyone else who made the weekend possible. Setting up, cleaning up, safety lines, announc-ing, campfire, the list is endless. It’s because everyone is so willing to pitch in where needed that we have the wonderful weekends we all enjoy. As a reminder, the last day to get your club clothing orders (with payment) to Sheila Vohs is Sunday, June 8. The order form is on the website, and there will also be forms available at the June meeting. Also, the deadline for submissions for the July Fusee is June 27. Any pictures, announcements, articles, advertisements should be submitted to newsletter@wpag.us .Don’t be shy! We need new content. Remember all you competitors, both old and first time, PGI Convention at Mason City is coming up in a couple of months, and we want to keep that Club Trophy here where it belongs! Thank you again for your support, and with the help of all of you, I’m really excited about the next two years. I look forward to seeing all of you at the next shoot! Barb

2014 Fusee Publication schedule Editorial Deadline: This is the last date where articles or pictures can be submitted to the edi-tors. Shipping Deadline: This is the last date the editors have to get it to the printers\shippers. The fusee will be shipped\emailed within 7 days of this deadline.

Editorial Deadline Shipping Deadline Related shoot

July shoot issue June 27th July 2nd July 12th

August shoot issue August 8th August 13th August 23rd

September shoot issue September 5th September 10th September 20th

Tips & Tricks for Making Cremora Fireball Effects

If you ever wondered how to make a Cremora Fireball effect for your next show, set aside some time at 2 PM on Saturday June 7th for this seminar/demonstration. This effect is always impressive and is really loved by your audience. They are relatively easy to make and you will learn some tips and tricks for presenting a consistent display. Whether you plan to shoot these during the day, or as part of a nighttime show, discover how to make various size devices using different techniques. Hints on using different powders and containers will be discussed along with methods used to enhance each device. If the weather permits and the Safety Team approves, demonstrations of several smaller size devices will be provided.

** Note -- Fridays are for club member manufac-turing only. There will be no shooting on Fridays,

with the exception of product demonstrations au-thorized in advance.

Saturday will follow the usual format with open

manufacturing, meeting, pot luck, and shooting.

Friday, June 6 2014 10:00 a.m. Manufacturing Open Wildlife Campground

Saturday, June 7 2014 10:00 a.m 4:00 p.m.

Dusk

Manufacturing Open Club Meeting

Open Shooting

Wildlife Campground

Friday, July 11 2014 10:00 a.m. Manufacturing Open Wildlife Campground

Saturday, July 12 2014 10:00 a.m 4:00 p.m.

Dusk

Manufacturing Open Club Meeting

Open Shooting

Wildlife Campground

Friday, August 22 2014 10:00 a.m. Manufacturing Open Wildlife Campground

Saturday, August 23 2014 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m.

Dusk

Manufacturing Open Club Meeting Club Picnic

Mini Girandola & Mini Rocket Con-test

Open Shooting

Wildlife Campground

Friday, September 19, 2014 10:00 a.m. Manufacturing Open Wildlife Campground

Saturday, September 20, 2014

10:00 a.m 4:00 p.m.

Dusk

Manufacturing Open Club Meeting

One Fuse Contest & Open Shooting

Wildlife Campground

2014 Calendar

ARF Pyro & Professional Displays LLC Class “C” Retail Sales Mark & Jackie Arseneau, Owners N2654 Hwy 107 Merrill WI 54452 715-966-2793 arseneau.rocketfireworks@gmail.com Blu Fireworks The small town with the big fireworks store. Class “C” Sales. Brent & LuAnn Moore 217 Main Street Barney ND 58008 701-439-0154 www.blufireworks.net info@blufireworks.net Bradach Co. LLC Wholesale & Retail Fireworks Display Operator Robert Bradach 2250 Aspen Lane Plover WI 54467 715-340-1931 www.facebook.com/Bradachfireworks Big Thunder Fireworks Class “C” Sales, Display Operator Michael Berlin, Sr. & Michael Berlin, Jr. POB 142 Ashland,WI 54806 (715) 682-5089 mberlin@centurytel.net Decker's Uncle Sam Fireworks Class “C” retail sales Chuck & Deb Decker Green Bay WI 54313 (920) 662-1103 Chuck@UncleSamFireworks.com www.deckersunclesamfireworks.com Dominator Fireworks Fireworks Manufacturer/Exporter Matt Palaszynski Liuyang Hunan China info@dominatorfireworks.com Fantasy Display Fireworks LLC

Class “B” & “C” Display Operator Class “C” Sales Mike Rothenberger E14596 E Tower Road

Ringle, WI 54471

715-574-1956

fantasydisplayfireworks@gmail.com

Fireworks Country Class “C” Fireworks sales Jerry & Tony Bamke W18862 St. Hy. 29 Wittenberg WI 54499 715-253-2719 jbamke@wittenbergnet.net Fireworks Forever Importer, Wholesaler, Retailer 1.4g Fireworks Jason & Ann Wachter P.O. Box 100 Saint Croix Fallw, WI 54024 715-483-1322 jason@fireworksforever.com www.fireworksforever.com Granite Falls Arts Inc. Supplier of pyrotechnic tools Rich & Claudia Wolter W1895 Fawn Ct. Montello WI 53949 (608) 297-9402 wolter@merr.com www.wolterpyrotools.com/ Hobby Horse New England Paper Rocket Tubes, Model Rockets, Radio Controlled Models, Curling Supplies. Jim & Paul Biersach 1769 Thierer Road - Madison, Wis. 53704 608-837-9118 jimpyro@hobbyhorse.com www.hobbyhorse.com Kastner Pyrotechnics & Fireworks Displays LLC Fireworks Wholesale & Imports Jesicca Kastner & Bart Hake 3036 Snowcap Trail Madison, WI 53719 608-553-3377 jessica@kastnerfireworks.com www.kastnerfireworks.com

WPAG Member Business Directory

KG Fireworks LLC Largest Duluth Area Fireworks Supplier Jason Deatherage & Nick Varro 9419 E Elm Road Poplar, WI 54864 218-461-0597 info@kgfireworks.com www.kgfireworks.com Krueger Pyrotechnics & Fireworks Displays, LLC Direct Importer of 1.3G & 1.4G Fireworks Class “B” & “C” Wholesale Sales Display Operator Jim & Tara Krueger 2323 Clay Hollow Road Cuba City, WI 53807 608-732-4545 fireworks@LAGRANT.net www.kfireworks.com PnJ Resources, LLC Supplier of pyrotechnic tools Paul & Jodi Sorrentino 1124 Liberty Ave Beloit WI 53511 (608) 365-2925 paul@pnjresources.com http://www.pnjresources.com/ Promen's Fireworks Class “C” sales Dan Promen & Marie Hodge N4577 Lost Arrow Court Fond du Lac WI 54937-7765 (920) 922-9228 sales@promenfireworks.com www.promenfireworks.com Q & Z Expo Center Concert Venue Hosting Live Acts of All Types Andy & Peggy Olson E1205 Elwood Lane Ringle, WI 54471 andystowing@frontier.com

Rolling Star Fireworks Supplier of common fireworks chemicals and sup-plies Steve Hubing W2255 Hwy 73 Granton WI 54436 715-897-7024 steve@hubings.com www.hubings.com Specialty Fireworks Importer & Wholesaler John & Diane Petrash W1292 Dudley Rd. Gleason WI 54435 (715) 873-3308 Mdbmbr050@aol.com Skypainter Fireworks LLC Display Operator Tom Spranger 1030 Heartstrong Place Plover, WI 715-340-8732 sbctom44@yahoo.com www.facebook.com/skypainterLLC Spielbauer Fireworks Co., Inc Importer & Distributor of 1.3g - 1.4g Fireworks Patrick Spielbauer 1976 Lane Road Green Bay WI 54311 920-336-0446 sales@sfireworks.com www.sfireworks.com Vesper Pyrotechnics, Inc. Display Fireworks - Consumer Fireworks Laser Shows & Outdoor Theater Dave, Mary, & Adam Vesper N10754 US Highway 151 Waupaun, WI 53963 920-324-2836 dave@vesperpyrotechnics.com www.vesperpyrotechnics.com

WPAG Member Business Directory

Kimberly Hunkins

P.O. Box 563

Osceola, WI 54020 newsletter@wpag.us

May 2014

Pulverone, the life blood by Marlo Hamilton Part 1 Most pyros that have been around for any length of time have probably heard of pul-verone, or even have made some. Most do not know the importance of pulverone or spend the time to truly master it.

History Often you will hear people talk about “Italian” style shell building here in the US. What

they are really talking about is a unique style that is really an Italian\American style.

With this style shells are broken with a core (using a canule) of grain powder (typically

2F) and the spaces between the stars are filled with pulverone (a granulated cheap

black powder). The shell is then typically lifted with grain powder (typically 2F or 4f). A

very good description of this style can be learned from a series of articles in the Pyro-

technicas by Fucanelli. This style of shell building is unique to the US. This is not how

shells are\were made in Europe (Italy and Malta) In these countries shells are broken

entirely with a pulverone type break, and lifted with the same powder. The Ital-

ian\American style here in the US was developed by the same European immigrants in

the late 1800s and early 1900s. The US had at that time a very robust black powder

industry. Grain powder was available for almost nothing because millions of tons were

used for the blasting, in the mining industries, and the military. Being the frugal people

that they are they developed the mixed use of grain powder and pulverone to break

shells to save money. Their counterparts back in the old country didn’t have access to

cheap grain powder and continued to make shells the old way, and continue to, to this

day. In America now little BP is used for blasting and government regulations have all

but eliminated any chemical or black powder production in the US. As our black pow-

der industry dies, we no longer have access to that cheap grain powder. For future

shell builders to be successful, they will need to revert back to the old ways and manu-

facture their own break and lift.

Corning The primary difference between pulverone and grain powder is that grain powder is corned. Corning is the processing where the black powder is pressed into blocks and these blocks are broken up and sized into individual grains. This process is purely a commercial process used to ensure the consistency of the powder throughout its life-time and its flow characteristics. In the old days powder was often sold and transported in cloth sacks or wooden barrels which were often thrown around from transportation vehicle to transportation vehicle. A softer powder would often crumble and produce a powder that had varying degrees of strength. Many a cannon were blown to bits be-

cause a portion of the powder had turned to dust and increased the burn rate without knowledge of the operator. Making hard powder grains by corning ensures that the powder will have the same burn rate when it is used as when it was made in the mill and that it would flow easily when charged into blasting holes. For the modern firework practitioner powder corning is not necessary and is only practiced now by those fuss-budgets holding on to a dying style of shell building. Pulverone has developed into two main types based on its use. For the Ital-ian\American style pulverone is basically flammable filler. It doesn’t need to be power-ful because it is not intended to be the sole breaking force. Pulverone for this style is often made with just hand mixed powder, often with marginal ingredients, and is often not sized strictly. When making pulverone for Italian\Maltese style shells more attention is needed. This pulverone is often milled, made with better ingredients, and screened to finish sizes for different uses. For the majority of the rest of this article I will be talking about making the more ad-vanced pulverone, the kind used to break and lift shells for Italian and Maltese style shells. The filler type pulverone can be made using the same processes described be-low but only made with simple hand mixed meal. What makes a good pulverone? The most important aspect that makes a good pul-verone is consistency. You don’t need the most powerful pulverone, or one made with the most expensive ingredients, what is needed most is pulverone that is very consis-tent from batch to batch, and from year to year. The Maltese make their powder from grape vines. Grape vines being about the only renewable wood source on the rocky island which leaves them without much choice, and it makes moderate to poor black powder. But they have been making it that way for over 100 years. They know exactly how it will perform, and how much is needed in every scenario. Knowing your powder, and being able to produce it the same way time and time again is what will make you a better shell maker than somebody who happened to make the hottest stuff one day. The second important factor is how hard the grains are. It is very important that your powder does not crumble during normal use. It is much better to have slower powder and have harder granules, than having a faster powder that crumbles in the shell. Hav-ing a soft powder will cause your shells to loosen up on the inside while they are being strung, pasted, or even from being shot out of the gun. This can cause your shells to become lopsided or misshapen, or worse, with an excess of fine powder in the break, cause them eat themselves in the sky (blow blind or deflagrate the whole shell at once) The third factor that helps make good powder is drying time. You need to get the pul-verone dried as fast as you can without mechanical means. The best time to make powder is on a hot sunny day, low in humidity and with a slight breeze. Do not let your powder stay wet any longer than you have to, letting it stay wet overnight could cost you as much as 10% in the power of your powder. Good solar radiation and a slight breeze will dry your powder better than any mechanical system you could build, and will make a much more consistent powder. There is a reason when you see pictures of a Maltese fireworks factory yard it is typically filled with sheets of drying powder and not a mechanical dryer around anywhere.

The final factor in making good power is what I call the power factor, or the strength of your powder, or more specifically knowing the strength of your powder. You need to test, test, and test again. Burning a sample in a trough, or burning a pile on the ground and hearing whomp is NOT testing. You need to test it under load. You need to fire a couple of dummy shells or baseballs out of a mortar and time the results. You need to know how your powder compares to commercial; you need to know how this batch compares to the last, and all the ones before, you need to know when you have gotten a bad batch of charcoal, or use a mislabeled chemical. It is much easier to discover these things before you spend 3 months building 100+ pound shell to shoot in front of your peers or in competition. Another secret I will tell you is something you will never hear discussed in the open. It is also something that if you tell to somebody else who doesn’t routinely make powder they will tell you that you are off your rocker. Your pow-der will test differently with age. This has been confirmed with extensive testing and many years of experience but your powder will gain in strength for around the first 20 - 30 days. Nobody knows why this is or what process is taking place chemically but it does happen, it is not because of water loss or any other factor, I am sure you have heard some of the internet pyros erroneously using the term “green powder” to de-scribe hand mixed meal. The term actually comes from the old country and is meant to describe this aging phenomenon with pulverone. Part two next issue

Making pulverone formulas, processes, and tricks