How Fireworks Work: Ball Shells

This video shows the basic concepts that are used to create professional firework shells.
If you would like to learn how to purchase or build professional fireworks safely and legally, I suggest reading this article: www.grassrootsdiy.com/?page_id=84
This page will explain some of the chemistry that takes place in fireworks: www.grassrootsdiy.com/?page_id...
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How to make fireworks #NightHawkInLight
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[@countryboompyro6746]

Im a pyrotechnician. I set up and shoot class b and c shows and im also a member of a club where we manufacture and make our own from scratch. Its a lot of fun knowing you can make something not only explode, but do it with color and literally paint the sky with your handmade, personal design. I consider it artwork and its a huge passion of mine. I love this video. Its very well put together and very educational. A cutaway of a shell is really neat to see. You should make a video of a cutaway of some large cylinder shells to show the complexity of some of them. Those are very fun to make as well. Thanks again for the video!

[@Mental_Illboy]

What's the hardest loud salute bang on the market?

[@xKlutchinLegend]

Do you sell your crafts ?

[@aaronching5129]

Awesome! When the kids get older and I have time for more hobbies and clubs that’s something I truly have a passion for. 🍻🤙🏽

[@Mr_B87]

Art is an Explosion! -Deidara

[@tentend321]

@@Mental_Illboy You mean consumer or professional? IN professional there are probably no limits for that... I guess like 1000g salutes? But idk, im not a pro. In consumer fireworks the loudest one is not a shell, its a firecracker called Funkenschlag 10 by Funke. Ofc its not as loud as 1000g salute, about 100x less loud lol XD. Neh maybe not that much, but its still powerful. Its legal in all countries.

[@walterhamlin4875]

Took me 7 years but I finally made it, thanks for the upload!

[@LAnonHubbard]

We've been here a long time waiting for you to turn up.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@vinielol Looks like quite a few people have already answered your question, but you can also learn more from my pyrotechnic chemistry page which is linked to in the video description.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

To learn the basics of what the stars are made out of, check my video How to Make Fireworks 101: Basic Chemistry of Compositions, then to see how the stars are formed check my video Firework Star Rolling Demonstration and Technique. The outside wall of these shells does happen to be cork, but only because that was the easiest material to work with when I made these models. The wall of real shells is made with two stiff cardboard or plastic hemispheres, then outer layers of glue soaked paper.

[@peterhall1365]

I think I've got one of the 6" versions in my shed. I'll just grab my angle grinder and see....

[@turksinnovations]

And that's the last we heard from him..

[@henmich]

Bring a few candles or lighters, so it's bright enough to see in the shed... safety first... You wouldn't want it too dark in the shed.

[@theimperfectgod7140]

[ loud explosion ]

[@chriswesney]

Just grab the cutting torch

[@mickyr171]

@@chriswesney Bet me to it lol, was just about to say grab a oxy torch then saw your comment

[@jppetersen10]

This was a good video to me. Not too long not too short just the right amount of information and depth for me. Thanks

[@PleSeagr]

this video is more educational than most! This video gives a very good description of the difference between wicks professionals use ("quick paper burns way faster than I was expecting!) and the thicker, green wicks they use for consumer fireworks! I also didn't know they could use gunpowder-coated husks instead of just full black powder, nor that the arrangement of the stars could change the "petals" of the firework! Great video!

[@DrDark3333]

Awesome video! Simple, short, and educational. Well done and thanks.

[@jimtryner9474]

I had help in setting up for fireworks shows, but this was a very informative video. I now know some of the dynamics on how this all works. Wish I could participate in doing shows again. Thanks

[@robertcieslak1861]

This video was very well presented. Thank you.

[@andrewdurant5452]

I had often wondered how the shell's were made, thank's very much.

[@ruthiek5340]

Thank you for making this forty forevers ago. It is VERY fascinating and educational, indeed!

[@DanScram946]

That shell is a thing of beauty, fantastic job!

[@sawdustbob.thestatesmen3656]

Very informative. Answered questions I’ve always wondered. Great presentation.

[@TopDingoMan]

Best explination I have heard. thanks for posting this.

[@missusen]

this is the clearest , best,and most informative video i have ever seen good job

[@roshincherukunnu7784]

The best firework video ever seen. Thank you

[@sebastianmort1287]

Superb description and examples. Thank you!

[@Peter94686]

Very nice looking cross-sections and very good explanation of the workings!

[@Nighthawkinlight]

They are regulated by weight. A lightly packed 3" would be acceptable, but there's a reason I said "approximately" in the video.

[@p8ntballplaya1995]

by far the best explanation of firework shells on youtube!

[@CharlesKAfroNinja]

This should be on the discovery channel. Thanks very much :D

[@59seank]

Thanks! I've always wondered how these fireworks are designed.

[@missusen]

i have seen many videos but never got a video like this thanks

[@twiggy27111976]

Excellent, clear and instructional. Thank you.

[@javiercorral21]

I’ve always been interested to know what’s in there. Thanks, homie!

[@AirrowRocket]

Very, very well done. You put a lot of work into it!

[@TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

Great video. Thanks for posting this. Have a nice day.

[@TopDingoMan]

Wow! what a great explanation. Thank you.

[@missusen]

though i saw lot of videos i was never satisfied with them , but i am really really satisfied with your video thanks once again

[@matthewreynolds8068]

This is great! I love fireworks and this was very informative.

[@bryonmanske]

This video was very informative and entertaining. Thank you

[@kilejohn5572]

excellent video. you are my favorite youtube channel you share so much information and must spend hours creating these videos for our enjoyment. thank you

[@nalevario]

Great Info Mang

[@tsavorit52]

I would like to see how one of these black spheres burn, when ignited on the ground. :)

[@isidrosevier1125]

tsavorit52 this would be cool to see in slow-mo as it burned

[@stevejquest]

​@Shawn Stafford Stars, burning by themselves on the ground, look a lot like match heads burning -- only bigger and more energetic. They are usually laced with barium (green) or strontium (red) and so on for color. It's basically the colorant, black powder and a binder, usually gum arabic.

[@stevejquest]

​@Shawn Stafford Star charges burn slowly with bright colors. Loud cannon with bright white explosion is the aluminum powder based "thunder" charges. These produce the bright white flashes without stars that we've all seen. Pop open a star charged mortar shell and light up one of the stars and you'll see what I mean. :-)

[@stevenchamp54]

wow,i learn something new every time i watch one of your videos!

[@MrGuhtar]

Love your videos nighthawk, keep it up!

[@dewman396]

Excellent explanation.

[@jacobmather4541]

what a brilliant video, thanks

[@stephenfestus9268]

Excellent video, I've always have wondered how it was done.

[@blueantlers]

Nicely done. Grate videos keep em coming

[@missusen]

you have done clear job on this keep it up

[@pozestcom]

Thank you for posting this as a scientist I really appreciate this

[@justmavi7999]

I'm not even interested in the topic but the explanation was very concise and easy to follow, thanks.

[@demnlordd666]

hey great vid, verry informative and a great heads up for any kids( or adults) who find them selves in possession of a larger version w/ the quick fuse. as well as just in general. thanks

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@matiam92 Yes, they are aligned inside the shell in the shape you want them to come out in. Often they are lightly glued to a piece of cardboard that is bent in the shape of a star or heart or whatever else.

[@DIChronicAddict1]

Educational AND entertaining- thanks.

[@GoaWay4Sanity]

FANTASTIC INFO/INPUT

[@dannydude77]

i really liked this. never knew how they worked.. i learned something and enjoyed it

[@teresafarrell6457]

Fascinating. Thank you. 👍

[@ETHRON1]

Way cool. Always wondered how they work...thanks.

[@dannyruiz6868]

I would've liked to see a demo. Only because your explanation is right on.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@dannydude77 Glad to hear it, thanks for your comment

[@joebarrett4353]

Fascinating. Thank you.

[@javiergil1910]

Great video! thank you for the info

[@ickysan]

That was fascinating! Thank you!😮💫✨🌟

[@tamingfire18]

you should do some ball shell tutorials. awesome vids, keep them coming.

[@gotthesinglelife]

Very interesting to see how the star shells are made as you see them at all firework show and can only guess on the more complex ones are made.

[@MamaRose6]

explained very well and answered my little 5 year olds question. thank u!

[@elamaaranalaggar3607]

So helpful! Thanks

[@bensfortin]

Another great video

[@imnotmelvin3]

This is cool, thank you for the video!

[@ProfessorDMA]

Really informative. Thank you.

[@bobjacobs8643]

Really good explanation. 👍

[@susie154]

Fascinating! Thanks

[@missusen]

beautifully explained

[@Booger6995]

First off. Great video Hawk. Like your models. Everything is so well made. The most dangerous comp I can think of is Armstrong's mixture. Makes flash look mild by comparison. Really scary stuff. Not many people that have messed with it carelessly have survived with all their appendages.

[@0123legoman3210]

Great to see you doing fireworks again :)

[@steveweisner4541]

Really nice explanation.

[@MrkBO8]

Thanks for this video, very informative

[@JarlSeamus]

Good overview, but I want to know what's in the stars and how is it packed. You pick the most awesome topics!

[@rot_v]

thats a really good video nice job and now im going to make one

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@spamento It's easy to fill it with stars after it's been cut, the tricky part is creating the canisters to begin with, one on top of the other, spiking, pasting, then cutting down the middle. I would want some pasting cut away to expose the spiking also. I know how to get it done, but it will certainly be just as much work as building a real multibreak.

[@bonusins]

Great video, thank you!

[@spamento]

Nice job NHIL! I like how the shells turned out and how you used plain English to present the terms we use in pyrotechnics. Now, all we need is a multi-break cylinder shell :-)

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@rakoonpunk The black powder charge that is attached under the time fuse is what fires it into the air. A 6" shell can be 5 lbs or more.

[@02blazp]

i loved that video please make more ! 5/5! fav

[@ramesh046]

You should also show that in operation. Nice explanation!

[@linuxxor]

Did not know this stuff. Thank you.

[@frangardner6865]

This is great Info!

[@3thomasH]

Much more instructive than the usual "how to make ...... fireworks" on youtube. Well done!

[@skaterslife6305]

Definitely informative thank you very much

[@Keny990]

Thank you for such an great video! =D

[@Sowner04]

This is really cool And i had no idea that that was how it all worked

[@rekapeace6936]

Thanks for making this video! Really interesting! :)

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@marcomovies97 You do not need whistle or flash for any size shell. If you use quality black powder as burst and do a good job pasting it will work fine.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@TomashPL58 A blob of hot glue around the fuse on the outside of the shell works just fine. String and paste is the traditional method, but it is not necessary. Because the size of the hole into the shell is so small, though the pressure inside a mortar may get up into 100 psi, the pressure exerted onto pushing the fuse inward is less than 10 lbs.

[@snowdaysrule]

So metal tube for mortar, short quick match fuse (since it's what the pros use) and some nitroglycerin soaked wood shavings. Got it! Can't wait to make my own fireworks! Just gotta find my hot plate for doing the nitration.

[@MegaStinkbug]

Great to watch.. Thanks!

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@spamento Thanks! I would love to make a multibreak cutaway, I've been thinking about that for a while. It would be a lot trickier than these ball shells were, but worth it. We'll see if I get around to it.

[@gomerrpm21]

i dig your videos, man. although i already knew how they work, it was still a good video! it never gets old.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@versatilechicken In fact I made all three. I may be showing how to make the models in future videos. Many of the same techniques used to make them are also used to make real fireworks.

[@3nertia]

Rice hulls; brilliant! Thank you!

[@TheHalofan5]

Thanks for the video man, subbed.

[@MrRedneckrc]

Great video

[@deniskneifeld9991]

great explanation, thx^^

[@rakia66]

very educational, like every video of your's

[@fizzgum]

Thanks for the explanation :)

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@st1dinoh The reason a pile of black powder might burn for slightly longer is not because it is burning slower than the same BP on hulls, it is because the granules have a duration of burn time just like a tiny star. If two piles are measured by volume of hulls and BP and ignited at the same time, for the first fraction of a second both piles will put out an equal amount of gas. Since the hulls only had a thin coating of BP they run out of it quickly, the granules continue to burn to the core.

[@surenderbohat8061]

Very nice video