How can the thermite experiment be done safely (may be wrong forum)?
 

Hi.

I am not at all sure if this belongs in this section, I'm only posting it here because that's where the original thread was posted. I saw this post in an old thread on this forum titled "Thermite". You'll have to google it as I can't post a link yet (not enough post count).

From "Lebell":
"I would STRONGLY encourage everyone to NOT do this at home.

Far too many amature chemists end up hurting themselves and others.

Yes, I do have professional training and I do know EXACTLY what I am talking about."

But would it take a huge amount of super-expensive training just to understand how to do this one thing safely? Is it that subtle? Because I'm curious about this stuff, and I've toyed with the idea of experimenting with it, but I'd want to do it as safely as possible. And where would one get this training? Finally, what would be a better place to do it other than at home?

Oh, heh... I'd imagine the whole "Don't do this at home." thing is a catchy way of saying "Don't do this! Period."

That being said, Thermite/Thermate is fun if you're in the military attending some school and wanna melt steel.

The old US Army Sapper Leader Course used to do a block of instruction on it. Rumor has it that got axed, though.

That shit is scary. I'd stay away from it. I can only imagine what it'd do to flesh.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermite

Maybe you can get on-the-job training at an explosives demolition contractor. That's about the only civilian application that I can think of. Anything else is going to be military, so there are your choices: join up or get a new job.

And look at it this way: any error you make with this stuff is going to be catastrophic. That means you're dead, injured or homeless. And possibly your neighbors too, if they're close enough. Lebell's a very smart guy, and he gave some VERY good advice.

Its not actually -that- dangerous.

I've worked with it before in a non-civvy capacity as well as "for fun". Termite used to be employed in rail-way tie jointing, as well as some special ground wire bonding applications for antennas and Faraday cages.
Its not rocket science. The main concern is splashing of molten steel really .. but aside from that, its not explosive - it just burns really, really hot.

If you -really- are going to experiment with it, just do some research at your local library and be sure you are comfortable with what you are doing. Safety considerations would be to use a crucible (clay pot) to contain the reaction and/or direct the slug, remote ignition (or fused) using magnesium strip or the preferred barium nitrate, and experiment location.

Having said all that, you of course take all responsibility for your actions. Just because people say its not as dangerous as some make it out to be doesn't absolve you of your own responsibility.

Thermite - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

For the lazy, here's the original thread. Perhaps a mod could drop it into the original post.

Hey, neither is driving a car or operating a firearm. :expressionless:

Not that I posted this but I wouldn't call him lazy. I just tried doing two identical searches (as far as I could tell) and not only got two different results, but neither contained the thread you mentioned.

Oh, just to be clear, I didn't call mike3 lazy. He's a new poster, he's not allowed to post links yet. I was just saving time for anyone who kind of wondered what thread he was posting about, but didn't feel like trying to find it on their own.

Also, just FYI, if you search on Google, that thread is the first hit for tfp thermite.

stick in a stick of magnesium, light that with a torch, and run the fuck away.


avoid using water or ice to put the shit out....unless you want to see a gnarly explosion.

But since it _is_ worked with then there _must_ be a way to do it safely, and that's what I'd want to find out. And how would an _explosive_ demolition contractor be where to go, when thermite is not actually an explosive? What I'd like to know is what sort of "professional training" that guy had, how much of it is required specifically for the thermite, and so on.

Mike3, it's obvious you're about as skilled with explosives as TheJazz. But it appears that the TheJazz has more common sense when it comes to dealing with materials that represent a safety hazard. Probably because he has children and they live in a city where they can get incendiary munitions on the playground next to crack rocks and scratched Bananarama CDs. He keeps spare thermite grenades in a basket next to the door.

Please don't patronize if you're here to learn. A cursory Google search for "sapper leader course handbook" or "FM 5-34" will yield useful information that can educate and entertain you if you're leaning toward the crafty military stuff. I'd recommend staying away from producing the stuff and I've actually mixed it before (when I was a GI Joe). Nothing good comes from a young guy concocting destructive elixirs in his bedroom. I speak from experience there, too.

If you choose to ignore the advice given, at least remember these two suggestions: don't watch it burn as it is bright enough to damage your eyes, and don't try to put it out, after it is lit it won't go out and water will flash boil, etc.

I'm not sure what you are calling "patronizing". What sort of common sense would I _not_ have about this stuff? I don't think it's a toy.

Also, does that last bit mean you had some sort of accident when trying to produce the stuff?

misfits fan in law enforcement!? why do i see problems ahead?

can i call you a badge wearing bitch from now on?

I AIN'T NO GOD DAMN SONUVABITCH... YOU BETTER THINK ABOUT IT, BAYBEE... heh...

What's that supposed to mean? How does it answer my questions (about the "patronizing" and all that)? Because "patronizing" was not my intention at all, whatsoever.

ha, where eagles dare aye.


mike.. iron oxide and aluminum powder. stick a magnesium stick in it and run like hell (and also, avoid water and ice if you didnt catch that from slims and i) [who seemed to skip what i had to say])

patronization none here. just light that shit up and experiment for yourself. there is only one way to learn, my friend. well, one way to learn for sure. (anyone with common since needs no warning)

The most cool thing I got out of this thread was Cromps' link. I love field manuals, even though a lot of it I don't understand, and will hopefully never need.

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Wear a welding mask if you don't want to go blind.