On 06/07/2011 08:23, anon and off wrote:
"Ian wrote in message
...
You will need a large vat and several pounds of cotton wool. Fill the vat
with one part nitric acid to three parts sulphuric acid; when fully mixed,
add the cotton wool. Leave for 24 hours.
Remove the cotton wool from the acids and place in a bath of water; then
wash thoroughly in running water. Now dry it thoroughly- an unventilated
steel shed is ideal for this. When it is thoroughly dry, have your least
favourite child pack the cotton wool into the wasp nest hole and then
apply a naked flame at arms length.

DO NOT EVEN JOKE ABOUT MAKING NITROGLYCERINE.

He wasn't. The ingredients of nitroglycerine include *glycerine!!

Doing it on such a large scale is rather dangerous though.

Gun cotton or nitrocellulose is relatively forgiving. Early film base
and synthetic snooker balls were typically made of nitrocellulose. In
bulk if provoked and constrained it will detonate but in free space and
small amounts it just burns very very quickly. Magicians flash paper is
nitrocellulose based.

However, it is a bad idea to try it these days. When I was growing up it
was not uncommon to make small pyrotechnics. Teachers were even allowed
to demonstrate interesting exothermic reactions in class....
It meant that some students were interested in science lessons.

ISTR Even then it was technically illegal.

THE MIXING PROCESS OF THE ACIDS ITSELF IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS IF
THE TEMPERATURE RISES.

DO *NOT*, I REPEAT *NOT* FOLLOW THIS GUIDANCE.

IN ANY CASE, YOU WILL BE COMMITTING A SERIOUS CRIMINAL
OFFENCE IF YOU ATTEMPT ANY OF THE ABOVE.

Almost certainly true - although the risk of losing fingers or limbs is
probably more to be feared than any sanctions the state may impose.

Regards,
Martin Brown