
The Big Book 
of
Mischief

THE BIG BOOK OF MISCHIEF 1.1

Preface

	A couple of years ago, I began compiling a file filled with information from the world-famous BBS Ripco.  The basis of this file was, of course, THE TERRORIST'S HANDBOOK, an incredible book that was never published.  Ripco fell prey to Operation Sundevil.  I printed out two copies of this file: Both went to friends.  These are the only copies of the original version of this file in existence.  I suffered a hard disk crash which wiped out the sub directory in which my original file resided. Today, August 8th, 1990, at 1 AM, I found a copy of The Terrorist's Handbook on a BBS, and recombined it with some other G-files. Hope you like it.  And remember, the First Amendment is not a shield.  Care must be taken to ensure that no law is broken when information is gained or divulged. I have read every word of this file, and swear that no article of this document is illegal in any way.

The Editor
4/12/91 -- New guideline:  If you modify this file, please put the date and info about modifications in the revision history.  This is to keep the new versions of the file in order, to aid updating.

Revision History:

1987-1989       Compilation of original file
Early 1990      Original file lost in crash
August 8, 1990  File reborn as The Complete Terrorist
March 31, 1991  In February, I had a major loss of data, but regained TCT from a local BBS.  I did some                 cosmetic work and killed some redundancies, and renamed the file to TBBOM. Total file size is   now about 172 printed pages. (You may wish to print this file out and bind it in a binder)
April 12, 1991  File revised by David Richards on Ripco II.  Some deletions and many valuable additions.        Message about new additions added to preface.  I (The Editor) felt that the file should have version    numbers, so, in light of the additions by David Richards, the first volume number is 1.1.
December 24, 1995 file was revised and edited to norm

THE BIG BOOK OF MISCHIEF


PART 1 - The Terrorist's Handbook - Self explanatory.

THE TERRORIST'S HANDBOOK

1.0     INTRODUCTION

	Gunzenbomz Pyro-Technologies, a division of Chaos Industries (CHAOS), is proud to present this first edition of The Terrorist's Handbook.  First and foremost, let it be stated that Chaos Industries assumes no responsibilities for any misuse of the information presented in this publication.  The purpose of this is to show the many techniques and methods used by those people in this and other countries who employ terror as a means to political and social goals. The techniques herein can be obtained from public libraries, and can usually be carried out by a terrorist with minimal equipment.  This makes one all the more frightened, since any lunatic or social deviant could obtain this information, and use it against anyone.  The processes and techniques herein SHOULD NOT BE CARRIED OUT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!  SERIOUS HARM OR DEATH COULD OCCUR FROM ATTEMPTING TO PERFORM ANY OF THE METHODS IN THIS PUBLICATION.  THIS IS MERELY FOR READING ENJOYMENT, AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR ACTUAL USE!!

	Gunzenbomz Pyro-Technologies feels that it is important that everyone has some idea of just how easy it is for a terrorist to perform acts of terror; that is the reason for the existence of this publication.

1.1      Table of Contents

8.      2.0 .......  BUYING EXPLOSIVES AND PROPELLANTS
	2.01 ........  Black Powder
	2.02 ........  Pyrodex
	2.03 ........  Rocket Engine Powder
9.      2.04 ........  Rifle/Shotgun Powder
	2.05 ........  Flash Powder
	2.06 ........  Ammonium Nitrate
	2.1 .......  ACQUIRING CHEMICALS
10.     2.11 ........  Techniques for Picking Locks
11.     2.2 .......  LIST OF USEFUL HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS AND     AVAILABILITY
12.     2.3 .......  PREPARATION OF CHEMICALS
	2.31 ........  Nitric Acid
13.     2.32 ........  Sulfuric Acid
	2.33 ........  Ammonium Nitrate

14.     3.0 .......  EXPLOSIVE RECIPES
	3.01 ........  Explosive Theory
	3.1 .......  IMPACT EXPLOSIVES
	3.11 ........  Ammonium Triiodide Crystals
15.     3.12 ........  Mercury Fulminate
16.     3.13 ........  Nitroglycerine
17.     3.14 ........  Picrates
	3.2 .......  LOW ORDER EXPLOSIVES
18.     3.21 ........  Black Powder
	3.22 ........  Nitrocellulose
21.     3.23 ........  Fuel + Oxodizer mixtures
22.     3.24 ........  Perchlorates
	3.3 .......  HIGH ORDER EXPLOSIVES
23.     3.31 ........  R.D.X. (Cyclonite)
24.     3.32 ........  Ammonium Nitrate
	3.33 ........  ANFOS
25.     3.34 ........  T.N.T.
	3.35 ........  Potassium Chlorate
26.     3.36 ........  Dynamite
	3.37 ........  Nitrostarch Explosives
	3.38 ........  Picric Acid
27.     3.39 ........  Ammonium Picrate (Explosive D)
	3.40 ........  Nitrogen Trichloride
28.     3.41 ........  Lead Azide
	3.5 .......  OTHER "EXPLOSIVES"
	3.51 ........  Thermite
29.     3.52 ........  Molotov Cocktails
	3.53 ........  Chemical Fire Bottle
30.     3.54 ........  Bottled Gas Explosives

31.     4.0 .......  USING EXPLOSIVES
	4.1 .......  SAFETY
	4.2 .......  IGNITION DEVICES
	4.21 ........  Fuse Ignition
32.     4.22 ........  Impact Ignition
33.     4.23 ........  Electrical Ignition
	4.24 ........  Electro - Mechanical Ignition
34.     4.241 .......  Mercury Switches
	4.242 .......  Tripwire Switches
	4.243 .......  Radio Control Detonators
35.     4.3 .......  DELAYS
	4.31 ........  Fuse Delays
36.     4.32 ........  Timer Delays
	4.33 ........  Chemical Delays
37.     4.4 .......  EXPLOSIVE CONTAINERS
	4.41 ........  Paper Containers
	4.42 ........  Metal Containers
40.     4.43 ........  Glass Containers
41.     4.44 ........  Plastic Containers
42.     4.5 .......  ADVANCED USES FOR EXPLOSIVES
	4.51 ........  Shaped Charges
43.     4.52 ........  Tube Explosives
	4.53 ........  Atomized Particle Explosions
44.     4.54 ........  Light bulb Bombs
	4.55 ........  Book Bombs
45.     4.56 ........  Phone Bombs

46.     5.0 .......  SPECIAL AMMUNITION FOR PROJECTILE  WEAPONS
	5.1 .......  PROJECTILE WEAPONS (PRIMITIVE)
	5.11 ........  Bow and Crossbow Ammunition
	5.12 ........  Blowgun Ammunition
47.     5.13 ........  Wrist Rocket and Slingshot Ammunition
	5.2 .......  PROJECTILE WEAPONS (FIREARMS)
	5.21 ........  Handgun Ammunition
48.     5.22 ........  Shotguns
	5.3 .......  PROJECTILE WEAPONS (COMPRESSED GAS)
	5.31 ........  .177 Caliber B.B. Gun Ammunition
49.     5.32 ........  .22 Caliber Pellet Gun Ammunition

50.     6.0 .......  ROCKETS AND CANNONS
	6.1 .......  ROCKETS
51.     6.11 ........  Basic Rocket-Bomb
53.     6.12 ........  Long Range Rocket-Bomb
54.     6.13 ........  Multiple Warhead Rocket-Bombs
55.     6.2 ........ CANNONS
	6.21 ........  Basic Pipe Cannon
56.     6.22 ........  Rocket-Firing Cannon

57.     7.0 .......  PYROTECHNICA ERRATA
	7.1 .........  Smoke Bombs
	7.2 .........  Colored Flames
58.     7.3 .........  Tear Gas
	7.4 .........  Fireworks
	7.41 ........  Firecrackers
59.     7.42 ........  Skyrockets
59.     7.43 ........  Roman Candles
61.     8.0 .......  LISTS OF SUPPLIERS AND FURTHER     INFORMATION
63.     9.0 .......  CHECKLIST FOR RAIDS ON LABS
64.     10.0 ......  USEFUL PYROCHEMISTRY
65.     11.0 ......  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

66.     Part 2 - Additions From Loyal Terrorists

	Tennis ball cannons
	Fun with dry ice.  LOTS of fun with dry ice.
	DRY ICE Time Bombs:
67.     More things to do with Dry Ice:
	Carbide Bomb
	Portable Grenade Launcher
	Auto Exhaust Flame Thrower
68.     Terrorist School Supplies
69.     The Modern Speeders Guide to Radar and State Troopers
		Part 1: Operation.
70.             Part 2: Application
71.             Part 3: Defense
72.             Radar guns: Models
	Picking combo locks:
73.     How to pick MASTER locks
74.     PYROTECHNIC DELIGHTS
	FUN WITH ALARMS
75.     How to make TNT
76.     SOFT DRINK CAN BOMB  AN ARTICLE FROM THE BOOK:
	El Pirata's Guild On How To Make A Chemical Fire Bottle
77.     TIME DELAYED CHEMICAL FUSE
	THERMITE
78.     EXPLOSIVES AND INCENDIARIES
	HOW TO MAKE BLACK MATCH FUSE
79.     HOW TO MAKE SULFURED WICK
	HOW TO MAKE A PIPE BOMB
80.     HOW TO MAKE ROCKET FUEL
	ANOTHER ROCKET FUEL
	HOW TO MAKE AN EXPLOSIVE FROM COMMON MATCHES
81.     HOW TO MAKE CONCENTRATED SULFURIC ACID FROM BATTERY     ACID
	HOW TO MAKE A CHEMICAL TIME DELAY FUSE
	HOW TO MAKE AN ELECTRIC FUSE
	ANOTHER ELECTRIC FUSE
82.     ELECTRIC FUSE # 3
	MORE SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION
		METHOD # 1
		mETHOD # 2
		METHOD # 3
		METHOD # 4
		METHOD # 5
	HOW TO MAKE NITROGEN TRIIODIDE

83.    THE CHEMIST'S CORNER #1:    COMMON "WEAK"       EXPLOSIVES,
		GUNPOWDER
		AMMONAL
		CHEMICALLY IGNITED EXPLOSIVES
		PEROXYACETONE
		SMOKE SMOKE SMOKE
84.     THE CHEMIST'S CORNER #2:    HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS
		A LIST OF HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS AND THEIR COMPOSITION
		GENERATING CHLORINE GAS
		CHLORINE + TURPENTINE
		GENERATING HYDROGEN GAS
85.             HYDROGEN + CHLORINE
		PREPARATION OF OXYGEN
		IODINE
	CHLOROX-DRAINO
86.     HOW TO MAKE DRUGS !
		BANANDINE (MADE FROM BANANA!)
		PEANUTS!
		MARIJUANA!
87.     TRIPWIRES
	BOOBY TRAP TRIP WIRES
88.     RECIPE FOR A STANDARD PLASTIC EXPLOSIVE
89.     To make Nitro:
90.     Improvised Explosives
		Gelatin Explosive from Anti-Freeze
		Nitro-glycol
91.             Plastic Explosive from Aspirin
92.             Plastic Explosive from Bleach
		Plastic Explosives From Swimming Pool                                   Chlorinating Compound
93.     Revenge: Don't get mad - Get even
95.     A quickie bomb, stolen from MacGyver
96.     How To Make Mercury Fulminate
		Method No.  1
		Method No.  2
	How to Make Ammonium Nitrate
97.     LAUGHING GAS
	BLACK POWDER: GRANDPAS RECIPE
98.     EXPEDIENT GRENADES
99.     How to Counterfeit
100.            Roll the Presses!
	HOMEMADE GUNS
		PIPE OR "ZIP" GUNS
101.    Astrolite and Sodium Chlorate Explosives
		Astrolite
		Astrolite G
102.            Astrolite A/A-1-5
	Sodium Chlorate Formulas
		Sodium Chlorate Gunpowder
		Rocket Fuel
		Rocket Fuel 2 (better performance)
102.    Astrolite and Sodium Chlorate Explosives
	Sodium Chlorate Formulas
		Incendiary Mixture
		Impact Mixture
		filler explosive
	Nitromethane formulas
103.            Nitromethane 'solid' explosives
	The Fiery Explosive Pen
	HOW TO BLOW UP A CAR: A different way
104.    MERCURY BATTERY BOMB!
105.    Milk Carton Bomb

2.0   BUYING EXPLOSIVES AND PROPELLANTS

 Almost any city or town of reasonable size has a gun store and a 
 pharmacy. These are two of the places that potential terrorists visit 
 in order to purchase explosive material.  All that one has to do is 
 know something about the non- explosive uses of the materials.  Black powder
 , for example, is used in black powder firearms.  It comes in varying "
 grades", with each different grade being a slightly different size.  The 
 grade of black powder depends on what the caliber of the gun that it is used 
 in; a fine grade of powder could burn too fast in the wrong caliber weapon.  
 The rule is: the smaller the grade, the faster the burn rate of the powder.

2.01   BLACK POWDER

Black powder is generally available in three grades.  As stated before, the 
smaller the grade, the faster the powder burns.  Burn rate is extremely 
important in bombs.  Since an explosion is a rapid increase of gas volume in 
a confined environment, to make an explosion, a quick-burning powder is 
desirable.  The three common grades of black powder are listed below, along 
with the usual bore width (caliber) of what they are used in.  Generally, the 
fastest burning powder, the FFF grade is desirable.  However, the other 
grades and uses are listed below:


     GRADE              BORE WIDTH               EXAMPLE OF GUN

     F                  .50 or greater           model cannon; some rifles
     FF                 .36 - .50                large pistols; small rifles
     FFF                .36 or smaller           pistols; derringers

The FFF grade is the fastest burning, because the smaller grade has more 
surface area or burning surface exposed to the flame front.  The larger 
grades also have uses which will be discussed later.  The price range of 
black powder, per pound, is about $8.50 - $9.00.  The price is not affected 
by the grade, and so one saves oneself time and work if one buys the finer 
grade of powder.  The major problems with black powder are that it can be 
ignited accidentally by static electricity, and that it has a tendency to 
absorb moisture from the air. To safely crush it, a bomber would use a 
plastic spoon and a wooden salad bowl. Taking a small pile at a time, he or 
she would apply pressure to the powder through the spoon and rub it in a 
series of strokes or circles, but not too hard.  It is fine enough to use 
when it is about as fine as flour.  The fineness, however, is dependent on 
what type of device one wishes to make; obviously, it would be impractical 
to crush enough powder to fill a 1 foot by 4 inch radius pipe.  Anyone can 
purchase black powder, since anyone can own black powder firearms in America.

2.02    PYRODEX

 Pyrodex is a synthetic powder that is used like black powder.  It comes in 
 the same grades, but it is more expensive per pound.  However, a one pound 
 container of Pyrodex contains more material by volume than a pound of black 
 powder.  It is much easier to crush to a very fine powder than black powder, 
 and it is considerably safer and more reliable.  This is because it will not 
 be set off by static electricity, as black can be, and it is less inclined 
 to absorb moisture.  It costs about $10.00 per pound.  It can be crushed in 
 the same manner as black powder, or it can be dissolved in boiling water and 
 dried.

2.03        ROCKET ENGINE POWDER

One of the most exciting hobbies nowadays is model rocketry.  Estes is the 
largest producer of model rocket kits and engines.  Rocket engines are 
composed of a single large grain of propellant.  This grain is surrounded by 
a fairly heavy cardboard tubing.  One gets the propellant by slitting the 
tube length- wise, and unwrapping it like a paper towel roll.  When this is 
done, the gray fire clay at either end of the propellant grain must be 
removed.  This is usually done gently with a plastic or brass knife. The 
material is exceptionally hard, and must be crushed to be used.  By gripping 
the grain on the widest setting on a set of pliers, and putting the grain and 
powder in a plastic bag, the powder will not break apart and shatter all over
.  This should be done to all the large chunks of powder, and then it should 
be crushed like black powder. Rocket engines come in various sizes, ranging 
from 1/4 A - 2T to the incredibly powerful D engines.  The larger the engine, 
the more expensive.  D engines come in packages of three, and cost about 
$5.00 per package.  Rocket engines are perhaps the single most useful item 
sold in stores to a terrorist, since they can be used as is, or can be 
cannibalized for their explosive powder.

2.04       RIFLE/SHOTGUN POWDER

Rifle powder and shotgun powder are really the same from a practical 
standpoint. They are both nitrocellulose based propellants. They will 
be referred to as gunpowder in all future references. Gunpowder is 
made by the action of concentrated nitric and sulfuric acid upon 
cotton. This material is then dissolved by solvents and then reformed 
in the desired grain size.  When dealing with gunpowder, the grain 
size is not nearly as important as that of black powder. Both large 
and small grained gunpowder burn fairly slowly compared to black 
powder when unconfined, but when it is confined, gunpowder burns both 
hotter and with more gaseous expansion, producing more pressure. 
Therefore, the grinding process that is often necessary for other 
propellants is not necessary for gunpowder.  Gunpowder costs about 
$9.00 per pound. Any idiot can buy it, since there are no restrictions on 
rifles or shotguns in the U.S.

2.05       FLASH POWDER

Flash powder is a mixture of powdered zirconium metal and various oxidizers. 
It is extremely sensitive to heat or sparks, and should be treated with more 
care than black powder, with which it should NEVER be mixed. It is sold in 
small containers which must be mixed and shaken before use. It is very finely 
powdered, and is available in three speeds: fast, medium, and slow. The fast 
flash powder is the best for using in explosives or detonators.
It burns very rapidly, regardless of confinement or packing, with a hot white 
"flash", hence its name.  It is fairly expensive, costing about $11.00. It is 
sold in magic shops and theater supply stores.

2.06       AMMONIUM NITRATE

Ammonium nitrate is a high explosive material that is often used as a 
commercial "safety explosive"  It is very stable, and is difficult to ignite 
with a match. It will only light if the glowing, red-hot part of a match is 
touching it. It is also difficult to detonate; (the phenomenon of detonation 
will be explained later) it requires a large shock wave to cause it to go 
high explosive.  Commercially, it is sometimes mixed with a small amount of 
nitro-glycerin to increase its sensitivity. Ammonium nitrate is used in the 
"Cold-Paks" or "Instant Cold", available in most drug stores. The "Cold Paks" 
consist of a bag of water, surrounded by a second plastic bag containing the 
ammonium nitrate. To get the ammonium nitrate, simply cut off the top of the 
outside bag, remove the plastic bag of water, and save the ammonium nitrate 
in a well sealed, airtight container, since it is rather hydroscopic, i.e. it 
tends to absorb water from the air. It is also the main ingredient in many 
fertilizers.

2.1     ACQUIRING CHEMICALS

The first section deals with getting chemicals legally. This section deals 
with "procuring" them. The best place to steal chemicals is a college.  Many 
state schools have all of their chemicals out on the shelves in the labs, and 
more in their chemical stockrooms. Evening is the best time to enter lab 
buildings, as there are the least number of people in the buildings, and most 
of the labs will still be unlocked. One simply takes a book bag, wears a 
dress shirt and jeans, and tries to resemble a college freshman. If anyone 
asks what such a person is doing, the thief can simply say that he is looking 
for the polymer chemistry lab, or some other chemistry-related department 
other than the one they are in. One can usually find out where the various 
labs and departments in a building are by calling the university. There are, 
of course other techniques for getting into labs after hours, such as placing 
a piece of cardboard in the latch of an unused door, such as a back exit. 
Then, all one needs to do is come back at a later hour. Also, before this is 
done, terrorists check for security systems. If one just walks into a lab, 
even if there is someone there, and walks out the back exit, and slip the 
cardboard in the latch before the door closes, the person in the lab will 
never know what happened. It is also a good idea to observe the building that 
one plans to rob at the time that one plans to rob it several days before the 
actual theft is done. This is advisable since the would- be thief should know 
when and if the campus security makes patrols through buildings. Of course, 
if none of these methods are successful, there is always section 2.11, but as 
a rule, college campus security is pretty poor, and nobody suspects another 
person in the building of doing anything wrong, even if they are there at an 
odd hour.

2.11     TECHNIQUES FOR PICKING LOCKS

If it becomes necessary to pick a lock to enter a lab, the world's most 
effective lock pick is dynamite, followed by a sledgehammer.  There are 
unfortunately-, problems with noise and excess structural damage with these 
methods. The next best thing, however, is a set of army issue lock picks.
These, unfortunately, are difficult to acquire. If the door to a lab is 
locked, but the deadbolt is not engaged, then there are other possibilities. 
The rule here is: if one can see the latch, one can open the door. There are 
several devices which facilitate freeing the latch from its hole in the wall. 
Dental tools, stiff wire (20 gauge), specially bent aluminum from cans, thin 
pocket-knives, and credit cards are the tools of the trade. The way that all 
these tools and devices are uses is similar: pull, push, or otherwise move 
the latch out of its hole in the wall, and pull the door open. This is done 
by sliding whatever tool that you are using behind the latch, and pulling the 
latch out from the wall. To make an aluminum-can lock pick, terrorists can 
use an aluminum can and carefully cut off the can top and bottom. Cut off the 
cans' ragged ends.  Then, cut the open-ended cylinder so that it can be 
flattened out into a single long rectangle. This should then be cut into inch 
wide strips. Fold the strips in 1/4 inch increments (1). One will have a long 
quadruple-thick 1/4 inch wide strip of aluminum. This should be folded into 
an L-shape, a J-shape, or a U-shape. This is done by folding. The pieces 
would look like this:
(1)

Fold along lines to make a single quadruple-thick piece of aluminum. This 
should then be folded to produce an L,J,or U shaped device that looks like 
this:

All of these devices should be used to hook the latch of a door and pull the 
latch out of its hole.  The folds in the lock picks will be between the door 
and the wall, and so the device will not unfold, if it is made properly.

Addendum 4/12/91

Another method of forced entry is to use an automobile jack to force the 
frame around the door out of shape, freeing the latch or exposing it to the 
above methods. This is possible because most door frames are designed with a 
slight amount of "give". Simply put the jack into position horizontally 
across the frame in the vicinity of the latch, and jack it out. If the frame 
is wood it may be possible to remove the jack after shutting the door, which 
will lock the door and leave few signs of forced entry.

2.2      LIST OF USEFUL HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS AND THEIR   AVAILABILITY

	Anyone can get many chemicals from hardware stores, supermarkets, and drug stores to get the materials to make explosives or other dangerous compounds.  A would-be terrorist would merely need a station wagon and some money to acquire many of the chemicals named here.

Chemical                   Used In                      Available at:

alcohol, ethyl *       alcoholic beverages             liquor stores
				  solvents             hardware stores   
		       (95% min. for both)

ammonia +              CLEAR household ammonia        supermarkets/7-eleven

ammonium               instant-cold paks,                drug stores, medical supply stores
nitrate                       fertilizers                   

nitrous oxide          pressurizing whip cream       party supply stores
		       poppers (like CO2 ctgs.)       Head shops, The Alley
										   Belmont/Clark, Chgo
magnesium             fire starters                   surplus/camping stores

lecithin              vitamins                      pharmacies/drug stores

mineral oil           cooking, laxative                  supermarket/drug stores

mercury @            mercury thermometers        supermarkets/hardware stores

sulfuric acid          uncharged car batteries       automotive stores

glycerin                hand lotion                  pharmacies/drug stores

Chemical                   Used In                     Available at:

sulfur                  gardening                      gardening/hardware store

charcoal              charcoal grills                 supermarkets/gardening stores

sodium nitrate         fertilizer                      gardening store

cellulose (cotton)    first aid                    drug/medical supply stores

strontium nitrate     road flares                  surplus/auto stores,

fuel oil               kerosene stoves               surplus/camping stores,

bottled gas           propane stoves               surplus/camping stores,

potassium             water purification                 purification plants
permanganate 

hexamine or           hexamine stoves                     surplus/camping stores
methenamine            (camping)

nitric acid           cleaning printing           printing shops, photography stores
		      plates

Iodine               disinfectant (tincture)             Pharmacy, OSCO

sodium perchlorate     solidox pellets                  hardware stores
		      (VERY impure)                 for cutting torches

Notes: * ethyl alcohol is mixed with methyl alcohol when it is used as a 
solvent. Methyl alcohol is very poisonous. Solvent alcohol must be at least 
95% ethyl alcohol if it is used to make mercury fulminate. Methyl alcohol may 
prevent mercury fulminate from forming.+ Ammonia, when bought in stores comes 
in a variety of forms.  The pine and cloudy ammonia should not be bought; 
only the clear ammonia should be used to make ammonium triiodide crystals.
@ Mercury thermometers are becoming a rarity, unfortunately.  They may be 
hard to find in most stores as they have been superseded by alcohol and other 
less toxic fillings. Mercury is also used in mercury switches, which are 
available at electronics stores. Mercury is a hazardous substance, and should 
be kept in the thermometer or mercury switch until used. It gives off mercury 
vapors which will cause brain damage if inhaled.  For this reason, it is a 
good idea not to spill mercury, and to always use it outdoors. Also, do not 
get it in an open cut; rubber gloves will help prevent this.Nitric acid is 
very difficult to find nowadays.  It is usually stolen by bomb makers, or 
made by the process described in a later section.  A desired concentration 
for making explosives about 70%.The iodine sold in drug stores is usually not 
the pure crystalline form that is desired for producing ammonium triiodide 
crystals. To obtain the pure form, it must usually be acquired by a doctor's 
prescription, but this can be expensive.  Once again, theft is the means that 
terrorists result to.

2.3      PREPARATION OF CHEMICALS

2.31     NITRIC ACID

There are several ways to make this most essential of all acids for 
explosives. One method by which it could be made will be presented. Once 
again, be reminded that these methods SHOULD NOT BE CARRIED OUT!!
     Materials:                                  Equipment:

     sodium nitrate or                      adjustable heat source     
     potassium nitrate                      retort
     distilled water                        ice bath
     concentrated
     sulfuric acid                          stirring rod
					    collecting flask with stopper

1. Pour 32 milliliters of concentrated sulfuric acid into the retort.
2. Carefully weigh out 58 grams of sodium nitrate, or 68 grams of potassium 
nitrate. and add this to the acid slowly.  If it all does not dissolve, 
carefully stir the solution with a glass rod until it does.
3. Place the open end of the retort into the collecting flask, and place the 
collecting flask in the ice bath.
4. Begin heating the retort, using low heat.  Continue heating until liquid 
begins to come out of the end of the retort.  The liquid that forms is nitric 
acid.  Heat until the precipitate in the bottom of the retort is almost dry, 
or until no more nitric acid is forming.  CAUTION: If the acid is heated too 
strongly, the nitric acid will decompose as soon as it is formed.  This can 
result in the production of highly flammable and toxic gasses that may 
explode.  It is a good idea to set the above apparatus up, and then get away 
from it.

Potassium nitrate could also be obtained from store-bought black powder, 
simply by dissolving black powder in boiling water and filtering out the 
sulfur and charcoal. To obtain 68 g of potassium nitrate, it would be 
necessary to dissolve about 90 g of black powder in about one liter of 
boiling water. Filter the dissolved solution through filter paper in a funnel 
into a jar until the liquid that pours through is clear. The charcoal and 
sulfur in black powder are insoluble in water, and so when the solution of 
water is allowed to evaporate, potassium nitrate will be left in the jar.

2.32     SULFURIC ACID

Sulfuric acid is far too difficult to make outside of a laboratory or 
industrial plant.  However, it is readily available in an uncharged car 
battery. A person wishing to make sulfuric acid would simply remove the top 
of a car battery and pour the acid into a glass container.  There would 
probably be pieces of lead from the battery in the acid which would have to 
be removed, either by boiling or filtration.  The concentration of the 
sulfuric acid can also be increased by boiling it; very pure sulfuric acid 
pours slightly faster than clean motor oil.

2.33     AMMONIUM NITRATE

Ammonium nitrate is a very powerful but insensitive high-order explosive.  It 
could be made very easily by pouring nitric acid into a large flask in an 
ice bath. Then, by simply pouring household ammonia into the flask and 
running away, ammonium nitrate would be formed. After the materials have 
stopped reacting, one would simply have to leave the solution in a warm place 
until all of the water and any unneutralized ammonia or acid have evaporated. 
There would be a fine powder formed, which would be ammonium nitrate. It must 
be kept in an airtight container, because of its tendency to pick up water 
from the air.  The crystals formed in the above process would have to be 
heated VERY gently to drive off the remaining water.


3.0     EXPLOSIVE RECIPES

Once again, persons reading this material MUST NEVER ATTEMPT TO PRODUCE ANY O
F THE EXPLOSIVES DESCRIBED HEREIN.  IT IS ILLEGAL AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO 
ATTEMPT TO DO SO.  LOSS OF LIFE AND/OR LIMB COULD EASILY OCCUR AS A RESULT 
FROM ATTEMPTING TO PRODUCE EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS.

These recipes are theoretically correct, meaning that an individual could 
conceivably produce the materials described.  The methods here are usually 
scaled-down industrial procedures.

3.01     EXPLOSIVE THEORY

An explosive is any material that, when ignited by heat or shock, undergoes 
rapid decomposition or oxidation.  This process releases energy that is 
stored in the material in the form of heat and light, or by breaking down 
into gaseous compounds that occupy a much larger volume that the original 
piece of material. Because this expansion is very rapid, large volumes of air 
are displaced by the expanding gasses.  This expansion occurs at a speed 
greater than the speed of sound, and so a sonic boom occurs.  This explains 
the mechanics behind an explosion.  Explosives occur in several forms: 
high-order explosives which detonate, low order explosives, which burn, and 
primers, which may do both. High order explosives detonate.  A detonation 
occurs only in a high order explosive.  Detonations are usually incurred by a 
shock wave that passes through a block of the high explosive material.  The 
shock wave breaks apart the molecular bonds between the atoms of the 
substance, at a rate approximately equal to the speed of sound traveling 
through that material.  In a high explosive, the fuel and oxidizer are 
chemically bonded, and the shock wave breaks apart these bonds, and 
re-combines the two materials to produce mostly gasses. T.N.T., 
ammonium nitrate, and R.D.X. are examples of high order explosives.
Low order explosives do not detonate; they burn, or undergo oxidation.  When 
heated, the fuel(s) and oxidizer(s) combine to produce heat, light, and 
gaseous products.  Some low order materials burn at about the same speed 
under pressure as they do in the open, such as black powder. Others, such as 
gunpowder, which is correctly called nitrocellulose, burn much faster and 
hotter when they are in a confined space, such as the barrel of a firearm; 
they usually burn much slower than black powder when they are ignited in 
non-pressurized conditions.  Black powder, nitrocellulose, and flash powder 
are good examples of low order explosives.Primers are peculiarities to the 
explosive field.  Some of them, such as mercury fulminate, will function as a 
low or high order explosive.  They are usually more sensitive to friction, 
heat, or shock, than the high or low explosives.  Most primers perform like a 
high order explosive, except that they are much more sensitive.  Still others 
merely burn, but when they are confined, they burn at a great rate and with a 
large expansion of gasses and a shock wave. Primers are usually used in a 
small amount to initiate, or cause to decompose, a high order explosive, as 
in an artillery shell.  But, they are also frequently used to ignite a 
low order explosive;  the gunpowder in a bullet is ignited by the detonation 
of its primer.

3.1     IMPACT EXPLOSIVES

Impact explosives are often used as primers.  Of the ones discussed here, 
only mercury fulminate and nitroglycerine are real explosives; Ammonium 
triiodide crystals decompose upon impact, but they release little heat and no 
light.  Impact explosives are always treated with the greatest care, and even 
the stupidest anarchist never stores them near any high or low explosives.

3.11    AMMONIUM TRIIODIDE CRYSTALS

Ammonium triiodide crystals are foul-smelling purple colored crystals that 
decompose under the slightest amount of heat, friction, or shock, if they are 
made with the purest ammonia (ammonium hydroxide) and iodine.  Such crystals 
are said to detonate when a fly lands on them, or when an ant walks across 
them. Household ammonia, however, has enough impurities, such as soaps and 
abrasive agents, so that the crystals will detonate when thrown, crushed, or 
heated.  Upon detonation, a loud report is heard, and a cloud of purple 
iodine gas appears about the detonation site.  Whatever the unfortunate 
surface that the crystal was detonated upon will usually be ruined, as some 
of the iodine in the crystal is thrown about in a solid form, and iodine is 
corrosive.  It leaves nasty, ugly, permanent brownish-purple stains on 
whatever it contacts. Iodine gas is also bad news, since it can damage lungs, 
and it settles to the ground and stains things there also.  Touching iodine 
leaves brown stains on the skin that last for about a week, unless they are 
immediately and vigorously washed off.  While such a compound would have 
little use to a serious terrorist, a vandal could utilize them in damaging 
property.  Or, a terrorist could throw several of them into a crowd as a 
distraction, an action which would possibly injure a few people, but frighten 
almost anyone, since a small crystal that can not be seen when thrown 
produces a rather loud explosion.

Ammonium triiodide crystals could be produced in the following manner:

     Materials                   Equipment

     iodine crystals          funnel and filter paper
					 paper towels
     clear ammonia
     (ammonium hydroxide,     two throw-away glass jars
      for the suicidal)

1. Place about two teaspoons of iodine into one of the glass jars.  The jars 
must both be throw away because they will never be clean again.
2. Add enough ammonia to completely cover the iodine.
3. Place the funnel into the other jar, and put the filter paper in the 
funnel. The technique for putting filter paper in a funnel is taught in every 
basic chemistry lab class: fold the circular paper in half, so that a 
semi-circle is formed.  Then, fold it in half again to form a triangle with 
one curved side.  Pull one thickness of paper out to form a cone, and place 
the cone into the funnel.
4. After allowing the iodine to soak in the ammonia for a while, pour the 
solution into the paper in the funnel through the filter paper.
5. While the solution is being filtered, put more ammonia into the first jar 
to wash any remaining crystals into the funnel as soon as it drains.
6. collect all the purplish crystals without touching the brown filter paper, 
and place them on the paper towels to dry for about an hour.  Make sure that 
they are not too close to any lights or other sources of heat, as they could 
well detonate. While they are still wet, divide the wet material into about 
eight chunks.
7. After they dry, gently place the crystals onto a one square inch piece of 
duct tape.  Cover it with a similar piece, and gently press the duct tape 
together around the crystal, making sure not to press the crystal itself.  
Finally, cut away most of the excess duct tape with a pair of scissors, and 
store the crystals in a cool dry safe place.  They have a shelf life of about 
a week, and they should be stored in individual containers that can be thrown 
away, since they have a tendency to slowly decompose, a process which  gives 
off iodine vapors, which will stain whatever they settle on.  One possible 
way to increase their shelf life is to store them in airtight containers.  To 
use them, simply throw them against any surface or place them where they will 
be stepped on or crushed.

3.12      MERCURY FULMINATE

Mercury fulminate is perhaps one of the oldest known initiating compounds. It 
can be detonated by either heat or shock, which would make it of infinite 
value to a terrorist.  Even the action of dropping a crystal of the fulminate 
causes it to explode.  A person making this material would probably use the 
following procedure:



     MATERIALS                  EQUIPMENT

     mercury (5 g)                  glass stirring rod
     concentrated nitric        100 ml beaker (2)
     acid (35 ml)
					      adjustable heat
     ethyl alcohol (30 ml)      source

     distilled water                 blue litmus paper
					       funnel and filter paper
start here
1.      In one beaker, mix 5 g of mercury with 35 ml of concentrated nitric acid, using the glass rod.
2.      Slowly heat the mixture until the mercury is dissolved, which is when the solution turns green and boils.
3.      Place 30 ml of ethyl alcohol into the second beaker, and slowly and carefully add all of the contents of the first beaker to it.  Red and/or brown fumes should appear. These fumes are toxic and flammable.
4.      After thirty to forty minutes, the fumes should turn white, indicating thatthe reaction is near completion.  after ten more minutes, add 30 ml of the distilled water to the solution.
5.      Carefully filter out the crystals of mercury fulminate from the liquid solution.  Dispose of the solution in a safe place, as it is corrosive and toxic.
6.      Wash the crystals several times in distilled water to remove as much excess acid as possible.  Test the crystals with the litmus paper until they are neutral.   This will be when the litmus paper stays blue when it touches the wet crystals.
7.      Allow the crystals to dry, and store them in a safe place, far away from any explosive or flammable material.

	This procedure can also be done by volume, if the available mercury cannot be weighed.  Simply use 10 volumes of nitric acid and 10 volumes of ethanol to every one volume of mercury.

3.13       NITROGLYCERINE

	Nitroglycerine is one of the most sensitive explosives, if it is not the most sensitive.  Although it is possible to make it safely, it is difficult.  Many a young anarchist has been killed or seriously injured while trying to make the stuff.  When Nobel's factories make it, many people were killed by the all to frequent factory explosions.  Usually, as soon as it is made, it is converted into a safer substance, such as dynamite.  An idiot who attempts to make nitroglycerine would use the following procedure:

     MATERIAL               EQUIPMENT

     distilled water            eye-dropper

     table salt                     100 ml beaker

     sodium bicarbonate     200-300 ml beakers (2)

     concentrated nitric     ice bath container
     acid (13 ml)                   ( a plastic bucket serves well )

     concentrated sulfuric  centigrade thermometer
     acid (39 ml)
					     blue litmus paper
     glycerin

1.     Place 150 ml of distilled water into one of the 200-300 ml beakers.
2.      In the other 200-300 ml beaker, place 150 ml of distilled water and about a spoonful of sodium bicarbonate, and stir them until the sodium bicarbonate dissolves.  Do not put so much sodium bicarbonate in the water so that some remains undissolved.
3.      Create an ice bath by half filling the ice bath container with ice, and adding table salt.  This will cause the ice to melt, lowering the overall temperature.
4.      Place the 100 ml beaker into the ice bath, and pour the 13 ml of concentrated nitric acid into the 100 ml beaker.  Be sure that the beaker will not spill into the ice bath, and that the ice bath will not overflow into the beaker when more materials are added to it.  Be sure to have a large enough ice bath container to add more ice.  Bring the temperature of the acid down to about 20 degrees centigrade or less.
5.      When the nitric acid is as cold as stated above, slowly and carefully add the 39 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid to the nitric acid.  Mix the two acids together, and cool the mixed acids to 10 degrees centigrade.  It is a good idea to start another ice bath to do this.
6.      With the eyedropper, slowly put the glycerin into the mixed acids, one drop at a time.  Hold the thermometer along the top of the mixture where the mixed acids and glycerin meet.

DO NOT ALLOW THE TEMPERATURE TO GET ABOVE 30 DEGREES CENTIGRADE; IF THE TEMPERATURE RISES ABOVE THIS TEMPERATURE, RUN LIKE HELL!!!

The glycerin will start to nitrate immediately, and the temperature will immediately begin to rise.  Add glycerin until there is a thin layer of glycerin on top of the mixed acids.  It is always safest to make any explosive in small quantities.

7.      Stir the mixed acids and glycerin for the first ten minutes of nitration, adding ice and salt to the ice bath to keep the temperature of the solution in the 100 ml beaker well below 30 degrees centigrade.  Usually, the nitroglycerine will form on the top of the mixed acid solution, and the concentrated sulfuric acid will absorb the water produced by the reaction.
8.      When the reaction is over, and when the nitroglycerine is well below 30 degrees centigrade, slowly and carefully pour the solution of nitroglycerine and mixed acid into the distilled water in the beaker in step 1.  The nitroglycerine should settle to the bottom of the beaker, and the water-acid solution on top can be poured off and disposed of. Drain as much of the acid-water solution as possible without disturbing the nitroglycerine.
9.      Carefully remove the nitroglycerine with a clean eye-dropper, and place it into the beaker in step 2.  The sodium bicarbonate solution will eliminate much of the acid, which will make the nitroglycerine more stable, and less likely to explode for no reason, which it can do.  Test the nitroglycerine with the litmus paper until the litmus stays blue.  Repeat this step if necessary, and use new sodium bicarbonate solutions as in step 2.
10.     When the nitroglycerine is as acid-free as possible, store it in a clean container in a safe place.  The best place to store nitroglycerine is far away from anything living, or from anything of any value.  Nitroglycerine can explode for no apparent reason, even if it is stored in a secure cool place.

3.14     PICRATES

	Although the procedure for the production of picric acid, or trinitrophenol has not yet been given, its salts are described first, since they are extremely sensitive, and detonate on impact.  By mixing picric acid
with metal hydroxides, such as sodium or potassium hydroxide, and evaporating the water, metal picrates can be formed.  Simply obtain picric acid, or produce it, and mix it with a solution of (preferably) potassium hydroxide, of  mid range molarity.  (about 6-9 M)  This material, potassium picrate, is impact-sensitive, and can be used as an initiator for any type of high explosive.

3.2      LOW-ORDER EXPLOSIVES

	There are many low-order explosives that can be purchased in gun stores and used in explosive devices. However, it is possible that a wise store owner would not sell these substances to a suspicious-looking individual. Such an individual would then be forced to resort to making his own low-order explosives.

3.21     BLACK POWDER

	First made by the Chinese for use in fireworks, black powder was first used in weapons and explosives in the 12th century.  It is very simple to make, but it is not very powerful or safe.  Only about 50% of black powder is converted to hot gasses when it is burned; the other half is mostly very fine burned particles.  Black powder has one major problem: it can be ignited by static electricity.  This is very bad, and it means that the material must be made with wooden or clay tools.  Anyway, a misguided individual could manufacture black powder at home with the following procedure:

     MATERIALS               EQUIPMENT

     potassium                    clay grinding bowl
     nitrate (75 g)                and clay grinder

	  or                                        or

     sodium                          wooden salad bowl
     nitrate (75 g)                 and wooden spoon

     sulfur (10 g)                  plastic bags (3)

     charcoal (15 g)             300-500 ml beaker (1)

     distilled water               coffee pot or heat source

1.      Place a small amount of the potassium or sodium nitrate in the grinding bowl and grind it to a very fine powder.  Do this to all of the potassium or sodium nitrate, and store the ground powder in one of the plastic bags.
2.      Do the same thing to the sulfur and charcoal, storing each chemical in a separate plastic bag.
3.      Place all of the finely ground potassium or sodium nitrate in the beaker, and add just enough boiling water to the chemical to get it all wet.
4.      Add the contents of the other plastic bags to the wet potassium or sodium nitrate, and mix them well for several minutes.  Do this until there is no more visible sulfur or charcoal, or until the mixture is universally black.
5.      On a warm sunny day, put the beaker outside in the direct sunlight.  Sunlight is really the best way to dry black powder, since it is never too hot, but it is hot enough to evaporate the water.
6.      Scrape the black powder out of the beaker, and store it in a safe container. Plastic is really the safest container, followed by paper.  Never store black powder in a plastic bag, since plastic bags are prone to generate static electricity.

3.22     NITROCELLULOSE

	Nitrocellulose is usually called "gunpowder" or "guncotton".  It is more stable than black powder, and it produces a much greater volume of hot gas.  It also burns much faster than black powder when it is in a confined space.  Finally, nitrocellulose is fairly easy to make, as outlined by the following procedure:


     MATERIALS                    EQUIPMENT

     cotton  (cellulose)            two (2) 200-300 ml beakers

     concentrated                     funnel and filter paper
     nitric acid
						 blue litmus paper
     concentrated
     sulfuric acid

     distilled water

1.      Pour 10 cc of concentrated sulfuric acid into the beaker.  Add to this 10 ml of concentrated nitric acid.
2.      Immediately add 0.5 gm of cotton, and allow it to soak for exactly 3 minutes.
3.      Remove the nitrocotton, and transfer it to a beaker of distilled water to wash it in.
4.      Allow the material to dry, and then re-wash it.
5.      After the cotton is neutral when tested with litmus paper, it is ready to be dried and stored.

Addendum 4/12/91... true experience   From Andrew at cmu.edu (internet)

	I used to make nitrocellulose, though. It was not guncotton grade, because I didn't have oleum (H2SO4 with dissolved SO3); nevertheless it worked. At first I got my H2SO4 from a little shop in downtown Philadelphia, which sold soda-acid fire extinguisher refills. Not only was the acid concentrated,
cheap and plentiful, it came with enough carbonate to clean up. I'd add KNO3 and a little water (OK, I'd add the acid to the water - but there was so little water, what was added to what made little difference. It spattered concentrated H2SO4 either way). Later on, when I could purchase the acids, I believe I used 3 parts H2SO4 to 1 part HNO3. For cotton, I'd use cotton wool or cotton cloth.

Runaway nitration was commonplace, but it is usually not so disastrous with nitrocellulose as it is with nitroglycerine. For some reason, I tried washing the cotton cloth in a solution of lye, and rinsing it well in distilled water. I let the cloth dry and then nitrated it. (Did I read this somewhere?)  When that product was nitrated, I never got a runaway reaction. BTW, water squenched the runaway reaction of cellulose.
The product was washed thoroughly and allowed to dry. It dissolved (or turned into mush) in acetone. It dissolved in alcohol/ether.

Warnings:

	All usual warnings regarding strong acids apply. H2SO4 likes to spatter. When it falls on the skin, it destroys tissue - often painfully. It dissolves all manner of clothing. Nitric also destroys skin, turning it bright yellow in the process. Nitric is an oxidant - it can start fires. Both agents will happily blind you if you get them in your eyes. Other warnings also apply.  Not for the novice.
	Nitrocellulose decomposes very slowly on storage. The decomposition is auto-catalyzing, and can result in spontaneous explosion if the material is kept confined over time. The process is much faster if the material is not washed well enough. Nitrocellulose powders contain stabilizers such as diphenylamine or ethyl centralite. DO NOT ALLOW THESE TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH NITRIC ACID!!!! A small amount of either substance will capture the small amounts of nitrogen oxides that result from decomposition. They therefore inhibit the autocatalysis. NC eventually will decompose in any case.
	Again, this is inherently dangerous and illegal in certain areas. I got away with it. You may kill yourself and others if you try it.
-Larry

Commercially produced Nitrocellulose is stabilized by:

1.      Spinning it in a large centrifuge to remove the remaining acid, which is recycled.
2.      Immersion in a large quantity of fresh water.
3.      Boiling it in acidulated water and washing it thoroughly with fresh water.

	If the NC is to be used as smokeless powder it is boiled in a soda solution, then rinsed in fresh water.
	The purer the acid used (lower water content) the more complete the nitration will be, and the more powerful the nitrocellulose produced.
	There are actually three forms of cellulose nitrate, only one of which is useful for pyrotechnic purposes. The mononitrate and dinitrate are not explosive, and are produced by incomplete nitration. If nitration is allowed to proceed to complete the explosive trinatrate is formed.

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat
*End Addendum


3.23     FUEL-OXODIZER MIXTURES

	There are nearly an infinite number of fuel-oxidizer mixtures that can be produced by a misguided individual in his own home.  Some are very effective and dangerous, while others are safer and less effective.  A list of working fuel-oxidizer mixtures will be presented, but the exact measurements of each compound are debatable for maximum effectiveness.  A rough estimate will be given of the percentages of each fuel and oxidizer:

Oxidizer, % by weight         fuel, % by weight    speed #     notes
=============================================================================
potassium chlorate 67%          sulfur 33%            5               friction/impact sensitive; unstable

potassium chlorate 50%          sugar 35%             5               fairly slow burning;  unstable
						    charcoal 15%                                                            

potassium chlorate 50%          sulfur 25%            8                extremely           
						     magnesium or                        unstable!
						    aluminum dust 25%

potassium chlorate 67%          magnesium or          8             unstable        
						    aluminum dust 33%

sodium nitrate 65%                  magnesium dust 30%      ?    unpredictable     
						    sulfur 5%                                 burn rate

potassium permanganate 60%    glycerin 40%      4              delay before ignition depends upon grain size
WARNING: IGNITES SPONTANEOUSLY WITH GLYCERIN!!!          

potassium permanganate 67%     sulfur 33%          5              unstable

potassium permangenate 60%     sulfur 20%          5              unstable           
							  magnesium or
							  aluminum dust 20%

potassium permanganate 50%     sugar 50%           3              ?

potassium nitrate 75%                charcoal 15%         7              this is black powder!
							sulfur 10%                    

potassium nitrate 60%         powdered iron              1               burns very hot       
						or magnesium 40%

potassium chlorate 75%        phosphorus              8                  used to make strike-anywhere matches
						  sesquisulfide 25%            

ammonium perchlorate 70%     aluminum dust 30%        6        solid fuel for       
						      and small amount of                 space shuttle
						      iron oxide

potassium perchlorate 67%     magnesium or           10              flash powder
(sodium perchlorate)                aluminum dust 33%

Oxidizer, % by weight         fuel, % by weight    speed #        notes
=============================================================================
potassium perchlorate 60%     magnesium or             8              alternate
(sodium perchlorate)                aluminum dust 20%                    flash powder
						     sulfur 20%

barium nitrate 30%                     aluminum dust 30%        9        alternate 
potassium perchlorate 30%                                                           flash powder

barium peroxide 90%                magnesium dust 5%       10       alternate          
						    aluminum dust 5%                      flash powder

potassium perchlorate 50%     sulfur 25%              8                   slightly           
						     magnesium or                             unstable
						     aluminum dust 25%

potassium chlorate 67%        red phosphorus 27%      7            very unstable 
calcium carbonate 3%            sulfur 3%                                        impact sensitive

potassium permanganate 50%    powdered sugar 25%      7      unstable;          
							 aluminum or                              ignites if
							 magnesium dust 25%              it gets wet!

potassium chlorate 75%          charcoal dust 15%       6              unstable          
						     sulfur 10%
=============================================================================

NOTE: Mixtures that uses substitutions of sodium perchlorate for potassium perchlorate become moisture-absorbent and less stable.

	The higher the speed number, the faster the fuel-oxidizer mixture burns AFTER ignition.  Also, as a rule, the finer the powder, the faster the rate of burning.
	As one can easily see, there is a wide variety of fuel-oxidizer mixtures that can be made at home.  By altering the amounts of fuel and oxidizer(s), different burn rates can be achieved, but this also can change the sensitivity of the mixture.

3.24    PERCHLORATES

	As a rule, any oxidizable material that is treated with perchloric acid will become a low order explosive.  Metals, however, such as potassium or sodium, become excellent bases for flash-type powders.  Some materials that can be perchlorated are cotton, paper, and sawdust.  To produce potassium or sodium perchlorate, simply acquire the hydroxide of that metal, e.g. sodium or potassium hydroxide.  It is a good idea to test the material to be treated with a very small amount of acid, since some of the materials tend to react explosively when contacted by the acid.  Solutions of sodium or potassium hydroxide are ideal.

3.3     HIGH-ORDER EXPLOSIVES

	High order explosives can be made in the home without too much difficulty. The main problem is acquiring the nitric acid to produce the high explosive. Most high explosives detonate because their molecular structure is made up of some fuel and usually three or more NO2 ( nitrogen dioxide ) molecules.  T.N.T., or Tri-Nitro-Toluene is an excellent example of such a material.  When a shock wave passes through an molecule of T.N.T., the nitrogen dioxide bond is broken, and the oxygen combines with the fuel, all in a matter of microseconds.  This accounts for the great power of nitrogen-based explosives.  Remembering that these procedures are NEVER TO BE CARRIED OUT, several methods of manufacturing high-order explosives in the home are listed.

3.31     R.D.X.

	R.D.X., also called cyclonite, or composition C-1 (when mixed with plasticisers) is one of the most valuable of all military explosives.  This is because it has more than 150% of the power of T.N.T., and is much easier to detonate.  It should not be used alone, since it can be set off by a not-too severe shock.  It is less sensitive than mercury fulminate, or nitroglycerine, but it is still too sensitive to be used alone.  R.D.X. can be made by the surprisingly simple method outlined hereafter.  It is much easier to make in the home than all other high explosives, with the possible exception of ammonium nitrate.

     MATERIALS                    EQUIPMENT

     hexamine                            500 ml beaker
       or
     methenamine                     glass stirring rod
     fuel tablets (50 g)
						  funnel and filter paper
     concentrated
     nitric acid (550 ml)             ice bath container
						  (plastic bucket)
     distilled water
						  celsius thermometer
     table salt
						  blue litmus paper
     ice
     ammonium nitrate
1.      Place the beaker in the ice bath, (see section 3.13, steps 3-4) and carefully pour 550 ml of concentrated nitric acid into the beaker.
2.      When the acid has cooled to below 20 degrees centigrade, add small amounts of the crushed fuel tablets to the beaker.  The temperature will rise, and it must be kept below 30 degrees centigrade, or dire consequences could result. Stir the mixture.
3.      Drop the temperature below zero degrees centigrade, either by adding more ice and salt to the old ice bath, or by creating a new ice bath.  Or, ammonium nitrate could be added to the old ice bath, since it becomes cold when it is put in water. Continue stirring the mixture, keeping the temperature below zero degrees centigrade for at least twenty minutes.
4.      Pour the mixture into a liter of crushed ice.  Shake and stir the mixture, and allow it to melt.  Once it has melted, filter out the crystals, and dispose of the corrosive liquid.
5.      Place the crystals into one half a liter of boiling distilled water.  Filter the crystals, and test them with the blue litmus paper.  Repeat steps 4 and 5 until the litmus paper remains blue.  This will make the crystals more stable and safe.
6.      Store the crystals wet until ready for use. Allow them to dry completely using them. R.D.X. is not stable enough to use alone as an explosive.
7.      Composition C-1 can be made by mixing 88.3% R.D.X. (by weight) with 11.1% mineral oil, and 0.6% lecithin. Kneed these material together in a plastic bag. This is a good way to desensitize the explosive.
8.      is a mixture of T.N.T. and R.D.X.; the ratio is 50/50, by weight.   It is not as sensitive, and is almost as powerful as straight R.D.X.
9.      By adding ammonium nitrate to the crystals of R.D.X. after step 5, it should be possible to desensitize the R.D.X. and increase its power, since ammonium nitrate is very insensitive and powerful. Sodium or potassium nitrate could also be added; a small quantity is sufficient to stabilize the R.D.X.
10.     detonates at a rate of 8550 meters/second when it is compressed to a  density of 1.55 g/ml.


3.32      AMMONIUM NITRATE

	Ammonium nitrate could be made by a terrorist according to the hap-hazard method in section 2.33, or it could be stolen from a construction site, since it is usually used in blasting, because it is very stable and insensitive to shock and heat.  A terrorist could also buy several Instant Cold-Paks from a drug store or medical supply store.  The major disadvantage with ammonium nitrate, from a terrorist's point of view, would be detonating it.  A rather powerful priming charge must be used, and usually with a booster charge.  The diagram below will explain.
EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat
	The primer explodes, detonating the T.N.T., which detonates, sending a tremendous shock wave through the ammonium nitrate, detonating it.

3.33     ANFOS

	ANFO is an acronym for Ammonium Nitrate - Fuel Oil Solution.  An ANFO solves the only other major problem with ammonium nitrate: its tendency to pick up water vapor from the air.  This results in the explosive failing to detonate when such an attempt is made.  This is rectified by mixing 94% (by weight) ammonium nitrate with 6% fuel oil, or kerosene.  The kerosene keeps the ammonium nitrate from absorbing moisture from the air.  An ANFO also requires a large shock wave to set it off.

* Addendum From hayes.ims.alaska.edu (internet)

	Lately there was been a lot said about various ANFO mixtures.  These are mixtures of Ammonium Nitrate with Fuel Oil.  This forms a reasonably powerful commercial explosive, with its primary benefit being the fact that it is cheap.  Bulk ANFO should run somewhere around 9-12 cents the pound. This is dirt cheap compared to 40% nitro gel dynamites at 1 to 2 dollars the pound.  To keep the cost down, it is frequently mixed at the borehole by a bulk truck, which has a pneumatic delivery hopper of AN prills (that's pellets to
most of the world) and a tank of fuel oil.  It is strongly recommended that a dye of some sort, preferably red be added to the fuel oil to make it easier to distinguish treated AN explosive from untreated oxidizer.
	ANFO is not without its problems.  To begin with, it is not that sensitive to detonation.  Number eight caps are not reliable when used with ANFO.  Booster charges must be used to avoid dud blast holes.  Common boosters include sticks of various dynamites, small pours of water gel explosives, Dupont's detaprime cast boosters, and Atlas's power primer cast explosive.  The need to use boosters raises the cost.  Secondly, ANFO is very water susceptible.  It dissolves in it, or absorbs it from the atmosphere, and becomes quite worthless real quick.  It must be protected from water with borehole liners, and still must be shot real quick.  Third, ANFO has a low density, somewhere around .85.  This means ANFO sacks float, which is no good, and additionally, the low density means the power is somewhat low.  Generally, the more weight of explosive one can place in a hole, the more effective.  ANFO blown into the hole with a pneumatic system fractures as it is places, raising the density to about .9 or .92.  The delivery system adds to the cost, and must be anti static in nature.  Aluminum is added to some commercial, cartridge packaged ANFOs to raise the density---this also raises the power considerable, and a few of these mixtures are reliably cap sensitive.
	Now then, for formulations.  An earlier article mentioned 2.5 kilos of ammonium nitrate, and I believe 5 to 6 liters of diesel.  This mixture is extremely over fueled, and I'd be surprised if it worked.  Dupont recommends a AN to FO ratio of 93% AN to 7% FO by weight.  Hardly any oil at all.  More oil makes the mixture less explosive by absorbing detonation energy, and excess fuel makes detonation byproducts health hazards as the mixture is oxygen poor.  Note that commercial fertilizer products do not work as well as the porous AN prills Dupont sells, because fertilizers are coated with various materials meant to seal them from moisture, which keep the oil from being absorbed.
	Another problem with ANFO:  for reliable detonation, it needs confinement, either from a casing, borehole, etc., or from the mass of the charge.  Thus, a pile of the stuff with a booster in it is likely to scatter and burn rather than explode when the booster is shot.  In boreholes, or reasonable strong casings (cardboard, or heavy plastic film sacks) the stuff detonated quite well.  So will big piles.  Thats how the explosive potential was discovered: a small oil freighter rammed a bulk chemical ship.  Over several hours thecargoes intermixed to some degree, and reached critical mass.  Real big bang.  A useful way to obtain the containment needed is to replace the fuel oil with a wax fuel.  Mix the AN with just enough melted wax to form a cohesive mixture, mold into shape.  The wax fuels, and retains the mixture.  This is what the US military uses as a man placed cratering charge.  The military literature states this can be set off by a blasting cap, but it is important to remember the military blasting caps are considerable more powerful than commercial ones.  The military rightly insists on reliability, and thus a strong cap (maybe 70-80 percent stronger than commercial).  They also tend to go overboard when calculating demolition charges...., but then
hey, who doesn't....
	Two manuals of interest:  Dupont's "Blaster's Handbook", a $20 manual mainly useful for rock and seismographic operations.  Atlas's "Powder Manual" or "Manual of Rock Blasting" (I forget the title, its in the office).  This is a $60 book, well worth the cash, dealing with the above two topics, plus demolitions, and non-quarry blasting.
	Incidentally, combining fuel oil and ammonium nitrate constitutes the manufacture of a high explosive, and requires a federal permit to manufacture and store. Even the mines that mix it on site require the permit to manufacture.  Those who don't manufacture only need permits to store.  Those who don't store need no permits, which includes most of us:  anyone, at least in the US may purchase explosives, provided they are 21 or older, and have no criminal record.  Note they ought to be used immediately, because you do need a license to store. Note also that commercial explosives contain quantities of tracing agents, which make it real easy for the FBI to trace the explosion to the purchaser, so please, nobody blow up any banks, orphanages, or old folks homes, okay.

		Dean Syta, Civil Engineer at large.
*End Addendum

3.34       T.N.T.

	T.N.T., or Tri-Nitro-Toluene, is perhaps the second oldest known high explosive. Dynamite, of course, was the first. It is certainly the best known high explosive, since it has been popularized by early morning cartoons. It is the standard for comparing other explosives to, since it is the most well known. In industry, a T.N.T. is made by a three step nitration process that is designed to conserve the nitric and sulfuric acids which are used to make the product. A terrorist, however, would probably opt for the less economical one step method. The one step process is performed by treating toluene with very strong (fuming) sulfuric acid. Then, the sulfated toluene is treated with very strong (fuming) nitric acid in an ice bath. Cold water is added the solution, and it is filtered.

3.35     POTASSIUM CHLORATE

	Potassium chlorate itself cannot be made in the home, but it can be obtained from labs.  If potassium chlorate is mixed with a small amount of Vaseline, or other petroleum jelly, and a shock wave is passed through it, the material will detonate with slightly more power than black powder.  It must, however, be confined to detonate it in this manner.  The procedure for making such an explosive is outlined below:

     MATERIALS                    EQUIPMENT

     potassium chlorate           zip-lock plastic bag
     (9 parts, by volume)

     petroleum jelly                  clay grinding bowl
     (Vaseline)                           or
     (1 part, by volume)           wooden bowl and wooden spoon

1.      Grind the potassium chlorate in the grinding bowl carefully and slowly, until the potassium chlorate is a very fine powder.  The finer that it is powdered, the faster (better)  it will detonate.
2.      Place the powder into the plastic bag.  Put the petroleum jelly into the plastic bag, getting as little on the sides of the bag as possible, i.e. put the Vaseline on the potassium chlorate powder.
3.      Close the bag, and kneed the materials together until none of the potassium chlorate is dry powder that does not stick to the main glob.  If necessary, add a bit more petroleum jelly to the bag.
4.      The material must me used within 24 hours, or the mixture will react to greatly reduce the effectiveness of the explosive.  This reaction, however, is harmless, and releases no heat or dangerous products.

3.36     DYNAMITE

	The name dynamite comes from the Greek word "dynamis", meaning power.  Dynamite was invented by Nobel shortly after he made nitroglycerine. It was made because nitroglycerine was so dangerously sensitive to shock. A misguided individual with some sanity would, after making nitroglycerine (an insane act) would immediately convert it to dynamite. This can be done by adding various materials to the nitroglycerine, such as sawdust. The sawdust holds a large weight of nitroglycerine per volume. Other materials, such as ammonium nitrate could be added, and they would tend to desensitize the explosive, and increase the power.  But even these nitroglycerine compounds are not really safe.

3.37     NITROSTARCH EXPLOSIVES

	Nitrostarch explosives are simple to make, and are fairly powerful.  All that need be done is treat various starches with a mixture of concentrated nitric and sulfuric acids.  10 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid is added to 10 ml of concentrated nitric acid.  To this mixture is added 0.5 grams of starch. Cold water is added, and the apparently unchanged nitrostarch is filtered out.  Nitrostarch explosives are of slightly lower power than T.N.T., but they are more readily detonated.

3.38     PICRIC ACID

	Picric acid, also known as Tri-Nitro-Phenol, or T.N.P., is a military explosive that is most often used as a booster charge to set off another less sensitive explosive, such as T.N.T.  It another explosive that is fairly simple to make, assuming that one can acquire the concentrated sulfuric and nitric acids.  Its procedure for manufacture is given in many college chemistry lab manuals, and is easy to follow.  The main problem with picric acid is its tendency to form dangerously sensitive and unstable picrate salts, such as potassium picrate.  For this reason, it is usually made into a safer form, such as ammonium picrate, also called explosive D.  A social deviant would probably use a formula similar to the one presented here to make picric acid.

     MATERIALS                         EQUIPMENT

     phenol (9.5 g)                        500 ml flask

     concentrated                         adjustable heat source
     sulfuric acid  (12.5 ml)
						   
     MATERIALS                         EQUIPMENT
						   1000 ml beaker
     concentrated nitric                or other container
     acid (38 ml)                              suitable for boiling in

     distilled water                         filter paper
						      and funnel

						       glass stirring rod

1.      Place 9.5 grams of phenol into the 500 ml flask, and carefully add 12.5 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid and stir the mixture.
2.      Put 400 ml of tap water into the 1000 ml beaker or boiling container and bring the water to a gentle boil.
3.      After warming the 500 ml flask under hot tap water, place it in the boiling water, and continue to stir the mixture of phenol and acid for about thirty minutes.  After thirty minutes, take the flask out, and allow it to cool for about five minutes.
4.      Pour out the boiling water used above, and after allowing the container to cool, use it to create an ice bath, similar to the one used in section 3.13, steps 3-4.  Place the 500 ml flask with the mixed acid an phenol in the ice bath.  Add 38 ml of concentrated nitric acid in small amounts, stirring the mixture constantly.  A vigorous but "harmless" reaction should occur.  When the mixture stops reacting vigorously, take the flask out of the ice bath.
5.      Warm the ice bath container, if it is glass, and then begin boiling more tap water.  Place the flask containing the mixture in the boiling water, and heat it in the boiling water for 1.5 to 2 hours.
6.      Add 100 ml of cold distilled water to the solution, and chill it in an ice bath until it is cold.
7.      Filter out the yellowish-white picric acid crystals by pouring the solution through the filter paper in the funnel.  Collect the liquid and dispose of it in a safe place, since it is corrosive.
8.      Wash out the 500 ml flask with distilled water, and put the contents of the filter paper in the flask.  Add 300 ml of water, and shake vigorously.
9.      Re-filter the crystals, and allow them to dry.
10.     Store the crystals in a safe place in a glass container, since they will react with metal containers to produce picrates that could explode spontaneously.

3.39     AMMONIUM PICRATE

	Ammonium picrate, also called Explosive D, is another safety explosive.  It requires a substantial shock to cause it to detonate, slightly less than that required to detonate ammonium nitrate.  It is much safer than picric acid, since it has little tendency to form hazardous unstable salts when placed in metal containers.  It is simple to make from picric acid and clear household ammonia. All that need be done is put the picric acid crystals into a glass container and dissolve them in a great quantity of hot water.  Add clear household ammonia in excess, and allow the excess ammonia to evaporate.  The powder remaining should be ammonium picrate.

3.40   NITROGEN TRICHLORIDE

	Nitrogen trichloride, also known as chloride of azode, is an oily yellow liquid.  It explodes violently when it is heated above 60 degrees Celsius, or when it comes in contact with an open flame or spark.  It is fairly simple to produce.

1.      In a beaker, dissolve about 5 teaspoons of ammonium nitrate in water. Do not put so much ammonium nitrate into the solution that some of it remains undissolved in the bottom of the beaker.
2.      Collect a quantity of chlorine gas in a second beaker by mixing hydrochloric acid with potassium permanganate in a large flask with a stopper and glass pipe.
3.      Place the beaker containing the chlorine gas upside down on top of the beaker containing the ammonium nitrate solution, and tape the beakers together.  Gently heat the bottom beaker.  When this is done, oily yellow droplets will begin to form on the surface of the solution, and sink down to the bottom.  At this time, remove the heat source immediately.
Alternately, the chlorine can be bubbled through the ammonium nitrate solution, rather than collecting the gas in a beaker, but this requires timing and a stand to hold the beaker and test tube.
The chlorine gas can also be mixed with anhydrous ammonia gas, by gently heating a flask filled with clear household ammonia.  Place the glass tubes from the chlorine-generating flask and the tube from the ammonia-generating flask in another flask that contains water.
4.      Collect the yellow droplets with an eyedropper, and use them immediately, since nitrogen trichloride decomposes in 24 hours.

3.41     LEAD AZIDE

	Lead Azide is a material that is often used as a booster charge for other explosive, but it does well enough on its own as a fairly sensitive explosive.  It does not detonate too easily by percussion or impact, but it is easily detonated by heat from an igniter wire, or a blasting cap.  It is simple to produce, assuming that the necessary chemicals can be procured.
	By dissolving sodium azide and lead acetate in water in separate beakers, the two materials are put into an aqueous state.  Mix the two beakers together, and apply a gentle heat. Add an excess of the lead acetate solution, until no reaction occurs, and the precipitate on the bottom of the beaker stops forming.
	Filter off the solution, and wash the precipitate in hot water. The precipitate is lead azide, and it must be stored wet for safety. If lead acetate cannot be found, simply acquire acetic acid, and put lead metal in it.  Black powder bullets work well for this purpose.

3.5     OTHER "EXPLOSIVES"

	The remaining section covers the other types of materials that can be used to destroy property by fire.  Although none of the materials presented here are explosives, they still produce explosive-style results.

3.51     THERMITE

	Thermite is a fuel-oxidizer mixture that is used to generate tremendous amounts of heat. It was not presented in section 3.23 because it does not react nearly as readily. It is a mixture of iron oxide and aluminum, both finely powdered. When it is ignited, the aluminum burns, and extracts the oxygen from the iron oxide. This is really two very exothermic reactions that produce a combined temperature of about 2200 degrees C. This is half the heat produced by an atomic weapon. It is difficult to ignite, however, but when it is ignited, it is one of the most effective fire starters around.

     MATERIALS

     powdered aluminum (10 g)

     powdered iron oxide (10 g)

1.      There is no special procedure or equipment required to make thermite.  Simply mix the two powders together, and try to make the mixture as homogenous as possible.  The ratio of iron oxide to aluminum is 50% / 50% by weight, and be made in greater or lesser amounts.
2.      Ignition of thermite can be accomplished by adding a small amount of potassium chlorate to the thermite, and pouring a few drops of sulfuric acid on it.  This method and others will be discussed later in section 4.33.  The other method of igniting thermite is with a magnesium strip.  Finally, by using common sparkler-type fireworks placed in the thermite, the mixture can be ignited.


3.52     MOLOTOV COCKTAILS

	First used by Russians against German tanks, the Molotov cocktail is now exclusively used by terrorists worldwide. They are extremely simple to make, and can produce devastating results. By taking any highly flammable material, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, ethyl or methyl alcohol, lighter fluid, turpentine, or any mixture of the above, and putting it into a large glass bottle, anyone can make an effective firebomb. After putting the flammable liquid in the bottle, simply put a piece of cloth that is soaked in the liquid in the top of the bottle so that it fits tightly.
	Then, wrap some of the cloth around the neck and tie it, but be sure to leave a few inches of lose cloth to light. Light the exposed cloth, and throw the bottle. If the burning cloth does not go out, and if the bottle breaks on impact, the contents of the bottle will spatter over a large area near the site of impact, and burst into flame.
	Flammable mixtures such as kerosene and motor oil should be mixed with a more volatile and flammable liquid, such as gasoline, to insure ignition. A mixture such as tar or grease and gasoline will stick to the surface that it strikes, and burn hotter, and be more difficult to extinguish. A mixture such as this must be shaken well before it is lit and thrown

3.53     CHEMICAL FIRE BOTTLE

	The chemical fire bottle is really an advanced molotov cocktail.  Rather than using the burning cloth to ignite the flammable liquid, which has at best a fair chance of igniting the liquid, the chemical fire bottle utilizes the very hot and violent reaction between sulfuric acid and potassium chlorate.  When the container breaks, the sulfuric acid in the mixture of gasoline sprays onto the paper soaked in potassium chlorate and sugar.  The paper, when struck by the acid, instantly bursts into a white flame, igniting the gasoline.  The chance of failure to ignite the gasoline is less than 2%, and can be reduced to 0%, if there is enough potassium chlorate and sugar to spare.

     MATERIALS                         EQUIPMENT

     potassium chlorate               glass bottle
     (2 teaspoons)                         (12 oz.)

     sugar (2 teaspoons)              cap for bottle, w/plastic inside

     conc. sulfuric acid (4 oz.)      cooking pan with raised edges

     gasoline (8 oz.)                        paper towels

						       glass or plastic cup and spoon

1.      Test the cap of the bottle with a few drops of sulfuric acid to make sure that the acid will not eat away the bottle cap during storage.  If the acid eats through it in 24 hours, a new top must be found and tested, until  a cap that the acid does not eat through is found.  A glass top is excellent.
2.      Carefully pour 8 oz. of gasoline into the glass bottle.
3.      Carefully pour 4 oz. of concentrated sulfuric acid into the glass bottle.  Wipe up any spills of acid on the sides of the bottle, and screw the cap on the bottle.  Wash the bottle's outside with plenty of water.  Set it aside to dry.
4.      Put about two teaspoons of potassium chlorate and about two teaspoons of sugar into the glass or plastic cup.  Add about 1/2 cup of boiling water, or enough to dissolve all of the potassium chlorate and sugar.
5.      Place a sheet of paper towel in the cooking pan with raised edges.  Fold the paper towel in half, and pour the solution of dissolved potassium chlorate and sugar on it until it is thoroughly wet.  Allow the towel to dry.
6.      When it is dry, put some glue on the outside of the glass bottle containing the gasoline and sulfuric acid mixture.  Wrap the paper towel around the bottle, making sure that it sticks to it in all places.  Store the bottle in a place where it will not be broken or tipped over.
7.      When finished, the solution in the bottle should appear as two distinct liquids, a dark brownish-red solution on the bottom, and a clear solution on top.  The two solutions will not mix.  To use the chemical fire bottle, simply throw it at any hard surface.
8.      NEVER OPEN THE BOTTLE, SINCE SOME SULFURIC ACID MIGHT BE ON THE CAP, WHICH   COULD TRICKLE DOWN THE SIDE OF THE BOTTLE AND IGNITE THE POTASSIUM CHLORATE, CAUSING A FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION.
9.      To test the device, tear a small piece of the paper towel off the bottle, and put a few drops of sulfuric acid on it.  The paper towel should immediately burst into a white flame.

3.54     BOTTLED GAS EXPLOSIVES

	Bottled gas, such as butane for refilling lighters, propane for propane stoves or for Bunsen burners, can be used to produce a powerful explosion. To make such a device, all that a simple-minded anarchist would have to do would be to take his container of bottled gas and place it above a can of Sterno or other gelatinized fuel, light the fuel and run. Depending on the fuel used, and on the thickness of the fuel container, the liquid gas will boil and expand to the point of bursting the container in about five minutes.
	In theory, the gas would immediately be ignited by the burning gelatinized fuel, producing a large fireball and explosion. Unfortunately, the bursting of the bottled gas container often puts out the fuel, thus preventing the expanding gas from igniting.  By using a metal bucket half filled with gasoline, however, the chances of ignition are better, since the gasoline is less likely to be extinguished.  Placing the canister of bottled gas on a bed of burning charcoal soaked in gasoline would probably be the most effective way of securing ignition of the expanding gas, since although the bursting of the gas container may blow out the flame of the gasoline, the burning charcoal should immediately re-ignite it.  Nitrous oxide, hydrogen, propane, acetylene, or any other flammable gas will do nicely.

Addendum 4/12/91:

	During the recent Gulf War, fuel/air bombs were touted as being second only to nuclear weapons in their devastating effects. These are basically similar to the above devices, except that an explosive charge is used to rupture the fuel container and disperse it over a wide area. a second charge is used to detonate the fuel. The reaction is said to produce a massive shock wave and to burn all the oxygen in a large area, causing suffocation.
	Another benefit of a fuel-air explosive is that the gas will seep into fortified bunkers and other partially-sealed spaces, so a large bomb placed in a building would result in the destruction of the majority of surrounding rooms, rendering it structurally unsound.

*End addendum

4.0     USING EXPLOSIVES

	Once a terrorist has made his explosives, the next logical step is to apply them. Explosives have a wide range of uses, from harassment, to vandalism, to murder. NONE OF THE IDEAS PRESENTED HERE ARE EVER TO BE CARRIED OUT, EITHER IN PART OR IN FULL!  DOING SO CAN LEAD TO PROSECUTION, FINES, AND IMPRISONMENT! The first step that a person that would use explosive would take would be to determine how big an explosive device would be needed to do whatever had to be done. Then, he would have to decide what to make his bomb with. He would also have to decide on how he wanted to detonate the device, and determine where the best placement for it would be. Then, it would be necessary to see if the device could be put where he wanted it without it being discovered or moved. Finally, he would actually have to sit down and build his explosive device. These are some of the topics covered in the next section.

4.1     SAFETY

	There is no such thing as a "safe" explosive device.  One can only speak in terms of relative safety, or less unsafe.

4.2     IGNITION DEVICES

	There are many ways to ignite explosive devices.  There is the classic "light the fuse, throw the bomb, and run" approach, and there are sensitive mercury switches, and many things in between.  Generally, electrical detonation systems are safer than fuses, but there are times when fuses are more appropriate than electrical systems; it is difficult to carry an electrical detonation system into a stadium, for instance, without being caught.  A device with a fuse or impact detonating fuse would be easier to hide.

4.21     FUSE IGNITION

	The oldest form of explosive ignition, fuses are perhaps the favorite type of simple ignition system.  By simply placing a piece of waterproof fuse in a device, one can have almost guaranteed ignition.  Modern waterproof fuses are extremely reliable, burning at a rate of about 2.5 seconds to the inch.  They are available as model rocketry fuse in most hobby shops, and costs about $3.00 for a nine-foot length.  Fuse is a popular ignition system for pipe bombers because of its simplicity.  All that need be done is light it with a match or lighter. Of course, if the Army had fuses like this, then the grenade, which uses fuse ignition, would be very impractical.  If a grenade ignition system can be acquired, by all means, it is the most effective.  But, since such things do not just float around, the next best thing is to prepare a fuse system which does not require the use of a match or lighter, but still retains its simplicity. One such method is described below:

     MATERIALS

    strike-on-cover type matches

     electrical tape or duct tape

     waterproof fuse

1.      To determine the burn rate of a particular type of fuse, simply measure a 6 inch or longer piece of fuse and ignite it.  With a stopwatch, press the start button the at the instant when the fuse lights, and stop the watch when the fuse reaches its end.  Divide the time of burn by the length of fuse, and you have the burn rate of the fuse, in seconds per inch.  This will be shown below:
Suppose an eight inch piece of fuse is burned, and its complete time of combustion is 20 seconds.
20 seconds/ 8 inches = 2.5 seconds per inch.

If a delay of 10 seconds was desired with this fuse, divide the desired time by the number of seconds per inch:
10 seconds/ 2.5 seconds per inch = 4 inches

NOTE: THE LENGTH OF FUSE HERE MEANS LENGTH OF FUSE TO THE POWDER.  SOME FUSE, AT LEAST AN INCH, SHOULD BE INSIDE THE DEVICE.  ALWAYS ADD THIS EXTRA INCH, AND PUT THIS EXTRA INCH AN INCH INTO THE DEVICE!!!

2.      After deciding how long a delay is desired before the explosive device is to go off, add about 1/2 an inch to the pre measured amount of fuse, and cut it off.
3.      Carefully remove the cardboard matches from the paper match case.  Do not pull off individual matches; keep all the matches attached to the cardboard base.  Take one of the cardboard match sections, and leave the other one to make a second igniter.
4.      Wrap the matches around the end of the fuse, with the heads of the matches touching the very end of the fuse.  Tape them there securely, making sure not to put tape over the match heads.  Make sure they are very secure by pulling on them at the base of the assembly.  They should not be able to move.
5.      Wrap the cover of the matches around the matches attached to the fuse, making sure that the striker paper is below the match heads and the striker faces the match heads.  Tape the paper so that is fairly tight around the matches. Do not tape the cover of the striker to the fuse or to the matches.  Leave enough of the match book to pull on for ignition.

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat
The match book is wrapped around the matches, and is taped to itself.  The matches are taped to the fuse.  The striker will rub against the match heads when the match book is pulled.

6.      When ready to use, simply pull on the match paper.  It should pull the striking paper across the match heads with enough friction to light them. In turn, the burning match heads will light the fuse, since it adjacent to the burning match heads.

4.22     IMPACT IGNITION

	Impact ignition is an excellent method of ignition for spontaneous terrorist activities.  The problem with an impact-detonating device is that it must be kept in a very safe container so that it will not explode while being transported to the place where it is to be used.  This can be done by having a removable impact initiator.
	The best and most reliable impact initiator is one that uses factory made initiators or primers. A no. 11 cap for black powder firearms is one such primer. They usually come in boxes of 100, and cost about $2.50. To use such a cap, however, one needs a nipple that it will fit on. Black powder nipples are also available in gun stores. All that a person has to do is ask for a package of nipples and the caps that fit them.  Nipples have a hole that goes all the way through them, and they have a threaded end, and an end to put the cap on. A cutaway of a nipple is shown below:

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

	When making using this type of initiator, a hole must be drilled into whatever container is used to make the bomb out of. The nipple is then screwed into the hole so that it fits tightly. Then, the cap can be carried and placed on the bomb when it is to be thrown. The cap should be bent a small amount before it is placed on the nipple, to make sure that it stays in place.  The only other problem involved with an impact detonating bomb is that it must strike a hard surface on the nipple to set it off. By attaching fins or a small parachute on the end of the bomb opposite the primer, the bomb, when thrown, should strike the ground on the primer, and explode. Of course, a bomb with mercury fulminate in each end will go off on impact regardless of which end it strikes on, but mercury fulminate is also likely to go off if the
person carrying the bomb is bumped hard.

4.23     ELECTRICAL IGNITION

	Electrical ignition systems for detonation are usually the safest and most reliable form of ignition. Electrical systems are ideal for demolition work, if one doesn't have to worry so much about being caught. With two spools of 500 ft of wire and a car battery, one can detonate explosives from a "safe", comfortable distance, and be sure that there is nobody around that could get hurt. With an electrical system, one can control exactly what time a device will explode, within fractions of a second. Detonation can be aborted in less than a second's warning, if a person suddenly walks by the detonation sight, or if a police car chooses to roll by at the time. The two best electrical igniters are military squibs and model rocketry igniters. Blasting caps for construction also work well. Model rocketry igniters are sold in packages of six, and cost about $1.00 per pack. All that need be done to use them is connect it to two wires and run a current through them. Military squibs are difficult to get, but they are a little bit better, since they explode when a current is run through them, whereas rocketry igniters only burst into flame. Military squibs can be used to set off sensitive high explosives, such as R.D.X., or potassium chlorate mixed with petroleum jelly.  Igniters can be used to set off black powder, mercury fulminate, or guncotton, which in turn, can set of a high order explosive.

4.24     ELECTRO-MECHANICAL IGNITION

	Electro-mechanical ignition systems are systems that use some type of mechanical switch to set off an explosive charge electrically.  This type of switch is typically used in booby traps or other devices in which the person who places the bomb does not wish to be anywhere near the device when it explodes. Several types of electro-mechanical detonators will be discussed.


4.241     Mercury Switches

	Mercury switches are a switch that uses the fact that mercury metal conducts electricity, as do all metals, but mercury metal is a liquid at room temperatures. A typical mercury switch is a sealed glass tube with twoe lectrodes and a bead of mercury metal. It is sealed because of mercury's nasty habit of giving off brain-damaging vapors. The diagram below may help to explain a mercury switch.

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

	When the drop of mercury ("Hg" is mercury's atomic symbol) touches both contacts, current flows through the switch.  If this particular switch was in its present position, A---B, current would be flowing, since the mercury can touch both contacts in the horizontal position.
	If, however, it was in the | position, the drop of mercury would only touch the + contact on the A side. Current, then couldn't flow, since mercury does not reach both contacts when the switch is in the vertical position. This type of switch is ideal to place by a door. If it were placed in the path of a swinging door in the vertical position, the motion of the door would knock the switch down, if it was held to the ground by a piece if tape. This would tilt the switch into the vertical position, causing the mercury to touch both contacts, allowing current to flow through the mercury, and to the igniter or squib in an explosive device. Imagine opening a door and having it slammed in your face by an explosion.

4.242     Tripwire Switches

	A tripwire is an element of the classic booby trap.  By placing a nearly invisible line of string or fishing line in the probable path of a victim, and by putting some type of trap there also, nasty things can be caused to occur.  If this mode of thought is applied to explosives, how would one use such a tripwire to detonate a bomb.  The technique is simple.  By wrapping the tips of a standard clothespin with aluminum foil, and placing something between them, and connecting wires to each aluminum foil contact, an electric tripwire can be made,  If a piece of wood attached to the tripwire was placed between the contacts on the clothespin, the clothespin would serve as a switch.  When the tripwire was pulled, the clothespin would snap together, allowing current to flow between the two pieces of aluminum foil, thereby completing a circuit, which would have the igniter or squib in it.  Current would flow between the contacts to the igniter or squib, heat the igniter or squib, causing it to explode.

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

Make sure that the aluminum foil contacts do not touch the spring, since the spring also conducts electricity.

4.243     Radio Control Detonators

	In the movies, every terrorist or criminal uses a radio controlled detonator to set off explosives.  With a good radio detonator, one can be several miles away from the device, and still control exactly when it explodes, in much the same way as an electrical switch.  The problem with radio detonators is that they are rather costly.  However, there could possibly be a reason that a terrorist would wish to spend the amounts of money involved with a RC (radio control) system and use it as a detonator.  If such an individual wanted to devise an RC detonator, all he would need to do is visit the local hobby store or toy store, and buy a radio controlled toy.  Taking it back to his/her abode, all that he/she would have to do is detach the solenoid/motor that controls the motion of the front wheels of a RC car, or detach the solenoid/motor of the elevators/rudder of a RC plane, or the rudder of a RC boat, and re-connect the squib or rocket engine igniter to the contacts for the solenoid/motor.  The device should be tested several times with squibs or igniters, and fully charged batteries should be in both he controller and the receiver (the part that used to move parts before the device became a detonator).

4.3     DELAYS

	A delay is a device which causes time to pass from when a device is set up to the time that it explodes.  A regular fuse is a delay, but it would cost quite a bit to have a 24 hour delay with a fuse.  This section deals with the different types of delays that can be employed by a terrorist who wishes to be sure that his bomb will go off, but wants to be out of the country when it does.

4.31     FUSE DELAYS

	It is extremely simple to delay explosive devices that employ fuses for ignition.  Perhaps the simplest way to do so is with a cigarette.  An average cigarette burns for about 8 minutes. The higher the "tar" and nicotine rating, the slower the cigarette burns. Low "tar" and nicotine cigarettes burn quicker than the higher "tar" and nicotine cigarettes, but they are also less likely to go out if left unattended, i.e. not smoked. Depending on the wind or draft in a given place, a high "tar" cigarette is better for delaying the ignition of a fuse, but there must be enough wind or draft to give the cigarette enough oxygen to burn. People who use cigarettes for the purpose of delaying fuses will often test the cigarettes that they plan to use in advance to make sure they stay lit and to see how long it will burn. Once a cigarettes burn rate is determined, it is a simple matter of carefully putting a hole all the way through a cigarette with a toothpick at the point desired, and pushing the fuse for a device in the hole formed.

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

	A similar type of device can be make from powdered charcoal and a sheet of paper.  Simply roll the sheet of paper into a thin tube, and fill it with powdered charcoal. Punch a hole in it at the desired location, and insert a fuse. Both ends must be glued closed, and one end of the delay must be doused with lighter fluid before it is lit. Or, a small charge of gunpowder mixed with powdered charcoal could conceivably used for igniting such a delay. A chain of charcoal briquettes can be used as a delay by merely lining up a few bricks of charcoal so that they touch each other, end on end, and lighting the first brick. Incense, which can be purchased at almost any novelty or party supply store, can also be used as a fairly reliable delay. By wrapping the fuse about the end of an incense stick, delays of up to 1/2 an hour are possible.
	Finally, it is possible to make a relatively slow-burning fuse in the home. By dissolving about one teaspoon of black powder in about 1/4 a cup of boiling water, and, while it is still hot, soaking in it a long piece of all cotton string, a slow-burning fuse can be made. After the soaked string dries, it must then be tied to the fuse of an explosive device. Sometimes, the end of the slow burning fuse that meets the normal fuse has a charge of black powder or gunpowder at the intersection point to insure ignition, since the slow-burning fuse does not burn at a very high temperature. A similar type of slow fuse can be made by taking the above mixture of boiling water and black powder and pouring it on a long piece of toilet paper. The wet toilet paper is then gently twisted up so that it resembles a firecracker fuse, and is allowed to dry.

4.32     TIMER DELAYS

	Timer delays, or "time bombs" are usually employed by an individual who wishes to threaten a place with a bomb and demand money to reveal its location and means to disarm it.  Such a device could be placed in any populated place if it were concealed properly.  There are several ways to build a timer delay. By simply using a screw as one contact at the time that detonation is desired, and using the hour hand of a clock as the other contact, a simple timer can be made.  The minute hand of a clock should be removed, unless a delay of less than an hour is desired.
	The main disadvantage with this type of timer is that it can only be set for a maximum time of 12 hours.  If an electronic timer is used, such as that in an electronic clock, then delays of up to 24 hours are possible.  By removing the speaker from an electronic clock, and attaching the wires of a squib or igniter to them, a timer with a delay of up to 24 hours can be made.  All that one has to do is set the alarm time of the clock to the desired time, connect the leads, and go away.  This could also be done with an electronic watch, if a larger battery were used, and the current to the speaker of the watch was stepped up via a transformer.  This would be good, since such a timer could be extremely small.  The timer in a VCR (Video Cassette Recorder) would be ideal.  VCR's can usually be set for times of up to a week.  The leads from the timer to the recording equipment would be the ones that an igniter or squib would be connected to.  Also, one can buy timers from electronics stores that would be work well.  Finally, one could employ a digital watch, and use a relay, or electro-magnetic switch to fire the igniter, and the current of the watch would not have to be stepped up.

4.33     CHEMICAL DELAYS

	Chemical delays are uncommon, but they can be extremely effective in some cases.  If a glass container is filled with concentrated sulfuric acid, and capped with several thicknesses of aluminum foil, or a cap that it will eat through, then it can be used as a delay.  Sulfuric acid will react with aluminum foil to produce aluminum sulfate and hydrogen gas, and so the container must be open to the air on one end so that the pressure of the hydrogen gas that is forming does not break the container.

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat
	The aluminum foil is placed over the bottom of the container and secured there with tape.  When the acid eats through the aluminum foil, it can be used to ignite an explosive device in several ways.

1.      Sulfuric acid is a good conductor of electricity.  If the acid that eats through the foil is collected in a glass container placed underneath the foil, and two wires are placed in the glass container, a current will be able to flow through the acid when both of the wires are immersed in the acid.
2.      Sulfuric acid reacts very violently with potassium chlorate. If the acid drips down into a container containing potassium chlorate, the potassium chlorate will burst into flame.  This flame can be used to ignite a fuse, or the potassium chlorate can be the igniter for a thermite bomb, if some potassium chlorate is mixed in a 50/50 ratio with the thermite, and this mixture is used as an igniter for the rest of the thermite.
3.      Sulfuric acid reacts with potassium permangenate in a similar way.

4.4     EXPLOSIVE CASINGS

This section will cover everything from making a simple firecracker to a complicated scheme for detonating an insensitive high explosive, both of which are methods that could be utilized by perpetrators of terror.

4.41     PAPER CONTAINERS

	Paper was the first container ever used for explosives, since it was first used by the Chinese to make fireworks. Paper containers are usually very simple to make, and are certainly the cheapest. There are many possible uses for paper in containing explosives, and the two most obvious are in firecrackers and rocket engines. Simply by rolling up a long sheet of paper, and gluing it together, one can make a simple rocket engine. Perhaps a more interesting and dangerous use is in the firecracker. The firecracker shown here is one of Mexican design. It is called a "polumna", meaning "dove". The process of their manufacture is not unlike that of making a paper football. If one takes a sheet of paper about 16 inches in length by 1.5 inches wide, and fold one corner so that it looks like this:

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat
	A pocket is formed.  This pocket can be filled with black powder, pyrodex, flash powder, gunpowder, rocket engine powder, or any of the quick-burning fuel- oxidizer mixtures that occur in the form of a fine powder.  A fuse is then inserted, and one continues the triangular folds, being careful not to spill out any of the explosive.  When the polumna is finished, it should be taped together very tightly, since this will increase the strength of the container, and produce a louder and more powerful explosion when it is lit.  The finished polumna should look like a 1/4 inch - 1/3 inch thick triangle, like the one shown below:

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

4.42     METAL CONTAINERS

	The classic pipe bomb is the best known example of a metal-contained explosive.  Idiot anarchists take white tipped matches and cut off the match heads.  They pound one end of a pipe closed with a hammer, pour in the white-tipped matches, and then pound the other end closed.  This process often kills the fool, since when he pounds the pipe closed, he could very easily cause enough friction between the match heads to cause them to ignite and explode the unfinished bomb.  By using pipe caps, the process is somewhat safer, and the less stupid anarchist would never use white tipped matches in a bomb.
	He would buy two pipe caps and threaded pipe (fig. 1).  First, he would drill a hole in one pipe cap, and put a fuse in it so that it will not come out, and so powder will not escape during handling.  The fuse would be at least 3/4 an inch long inside the bomb.  He would then screw the cap with the fuse in it on tightly, possibly putting a drop of super glue on it to hold it tight.  He would then pour his explosive powder in the bomb.  To pack it tightly, he would take a large wad of tissue paper and, after filling the pipe to the very top, pack the powder down, by using the paper as a ramrod tip, and pushing it with a pencil or other wide ended object, until it would not move any further.
	Finally, he would screw the other pipe cap on, and glue it. The tissue paper would help prevent some of the powder from being caught in the threads of the pipe or pipe cap from being crushed and subject to friction, which might ignite the powder, causing an explosion during manufacture. An assembled bomb is shown in fig. 2.

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

	fig. 2  Assembled pipe bomb.

	This is one possible design that a mad bomber would use.  If, however, he did not have access to threaded pipe with endcaps, he could always use a piece of copper or aluminum pipe, since it is easily bent into a suitable position.  A major problem with copper piping, however, is bending and folding it without
tearing it; if too much force is used when folding and bending copper pipe, it will split along the fold.  The safest method for making a pipe bomb out of copper or aluminum pipe is similar to the method with pipe and endcaps.  First, one flattens one end of a copper or aluminum pipe carefully, making sure not to tear or rip the piping.  Then, the flat end of the pipe should be folded over at least once, if this does not rip the pipe.  A fuse hole should be drilled in the pipe near the now closed end, and the fuse should be inserted.
	Next, the bomb- builder would fill the bomb with a low order explosive, and pack it with a large wad of tissue paper.  He would then flatten and fold the other end of the pipe with a pair of pliers.  If he was not too dumb, he would do this slowly, since the process of folding and bending metal gives off heat, which could set off the explosive.  A diagram is presented below:


EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

	A CO2 cartridge from a B.B gun is another excellent container for a low-order explosive.  It has one minor disadvantage: it is time consuming to fill.  But this can be rectified by widening the opening of the cartridge with a pointed tool.  Then, all that would have to be done is to fill the CO2 cartridge with any low-order explosive, or any of the fast burning fuel-oxidizer mixtures, and insert a fuse.  These devices are commonly called "crater makers".

Addendum 4/12/91:

	From personal experience, I have found that a CO2 cartridge is easiest to fill if you take a piece of paper and tape it around the opening to form a sort of funnel:

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat
*End Addendum
	A CO2 cartridge also works well as a container for a thermite incendiary device, but it must be modified. The opening in the end must be widened, so that the ignition mixture, such as powdered magnesium, does not explode. The fuse will ignite the powdered magnesium, which, in turn, would ignite the thermite.
	The previously mentioned designs for explosive devices are fine for low-order explosives, but are unsuitable for high-order explosives, since the latter requires a shock wave to be detonated. A design employing a smaller low-order explosive device inside a larger device containing a high-order explosive would probably be used.
EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat
	If the large high explosive container is small, such as a CO2 cartridge, then a segment of a hollow radio antenna can be made into a low-order pipe bomb, which can be fitted with a fuse, and inserted into the CO2 cartridge.

4.43     GLASS CONTAINERS

	Glass containers can be suitable for low-order explosives, but there are problems with them.  First, a glass container can be broken relatively easily compared to metal or plastic containers.  Secondly, in the not-too-unlikely event of an "accident", the person making the device would probably be seriously injured, even if the device was small.  A bomb made out of a sample perfume bottle-sized container exploded in the hands of one boy, and he still has pieces of glass in his hand.  He is also missing the final segment of his ring finger, which was cut off by a sharp piece of flying glass...
	Nonetheless, glass containers such as perfume bottles can be used by a demented individual, since such a device would not be detected by metal detectors in an airport or other public place.  All that need be done is fill the container, and drill a hole in the plastic cap that the fuse fits tightly in, and screw the cap-fuse assembly on.

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat
	Large explosive devices made from glass containers are not practical, since glass is not an exceptionally strong container.  Much of the explosive that is used to fill the container is wasted if the container is much larger than a 16 oz. soda bottle.  Also, glass containers are usually unsuitable for high explosive devices, since a glass container would probably not withstand the explosion of the initiator; it would shatter before the high explosive was able to detonate.


4.44     PLASTIC CONTAINERS

	Plastic containers are perhaps the best containers for explosives, since they can be any size or shape, and are not fragile like glass. Plastic piping can be bought at hardware or plumbing stores, and a device much like the ones used for metal containers can be made. The high-order version works well with plastic piping. If the entire device is made out of plastic, it is not detectable by metal detectors. Plastic containers can usually be shaped by heating the container, and bending it at the appropriate place. They can be glued closed with epoxy or other cement for plastics. Epoxy alone can be used as an endcap, if a wad of tissue paper is placed in the piping. Epoxy with a drying agent works best in this type of device.

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

	One end must be made first, and be allowed to dry completely before the device can be filled with powder and fused.  Then, with another piece of tissue paper, pack the powder tightly, and cover it with plenty of epoxy.  PVC pipe works well for this type of device, but it cannot be used if the pipe had an inside diameter greater than 3/4 of an inch.  Other plastic putties can be used in this type of device, but epoxy with a drying agent works best.

Addendum 4/12/91:

	In my experience, epoxy plugs work well, but epoxy is somewhat expensive. One alternative is auto body filler, a gray paste which, when mixed with hardener, forms into a rock-like mass which is stronger than most epoxy. The only drawback is the body filler generates quite a bit of heat as it hardens, which might be enough to set of a overly sensitive explosive.  One benefit of body filler is that it will hold it's shape quite well, and is ideal for forming rocket nozzles and entire bomb casings.

*End Addendum


4.5     ADVANCED USES FOR EXPLOSIVES

	The techniques presented here are those that could be used by a person who had some degree of knowledge of the use of explosives.  Some of this information comes from demolition books, or from military handbooks.  Advanced uses for explosives usually involved shaped charges, or utilize a minimum amount of explosive to do a maximum amount of damage.  They almost always involve high- order explosives.

4.51     SHAPED CHARGES

	A shaped charge is an explosive device that, upon detonation, directs the explosive force of detonation at a small target area. This process can be used to breach the strongest armor, since forces of literally millions of pounds of pressure per square inch can be generated. Shaped charges employ high-order explosives, and usually electric ignition systems. KEEP IN MIND THAT ALL EXPLOSIVES ARE DANGEROUS, AND SHOULD NEVER BE MADE OR USED!!

	An example of a shaped charge is shown below.

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

	If a device such as this is screwed to a safe, for example, it would direct most of the explosive force at a point about 1 inch away from the opening of the pipe. The basis for shaped charges is a cone-shaped opening in the explosive material.  This cone should have an angle of 45 degrees.  A device such as this one could also be attached to a metal surface with a powerful electromagnet.


4.52     TUBE EXPLOSIVES

	A variation on shaped charges, tube explosives can be used in ways that shaped charges cannot. If a piece of 1/2 inch plastic tubing was filled with a sensitive high explosive like R.D.X., and prepared as the plastic explosive container in section 4.44, a different sort of shaped charge could be produced; a charge that directs explosive force in a circular manner. This type of explosive could be wrapped around a column, or a doorknob, or a telephone pole. The explosion would be directed in and out, and most likely destroy whatever it was wrapped around. In an unbent state, a tube explosive would look like this:

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

	When an assassin or terrorist wishes to use a tube bomb, he must wrap it around whatever thing he wishes to destroy, and epoxy the ends of the tube bomb together.  After it dries, he/she can connect wires to the squib wires, and detonate the bomb, with any method of electric detonation.

4.53     ATOMIZED PARTICLE EXPLOSIONS

	If a highly flammable substance is atomized, or, divided into very small particles, and large amounts of it is burned in a confined area, an explosion similar to that occurring in the cylinder of an automobile is produced. The tiny droplets of gasoline burn in the air, and the hot gasses expand rapidly, pushing the cylinder up. Similarly, if a gallon of gasoline was atomized and ignited in a building, it is very possible that the expanding gassed would push the walls of the building down. This phenomenon is called an atomized particle explosion.  If a person can effectively atomize a large amount of a highly flammable substance and ignite it, he could bring down a large building, bridge, or other structure. Atomizing a large amount of gasoline, for example, can be extremely difficult, unless one has the aid of a high explosive. If a gallon jug of gasoline was placed directly over a high explosive charge, and the charge was detonated, the gasoline would instantly be atomized and ignited. If this occurred in a building, for example, an atomized particle explosion would surely occur. Only a small amount of high explosive would be necessary to accomplish this feat, about 1/2 a pound of T.N.T. or 1/4 a pound of R.D.X.  Also, instead of gasoline, powdered aluminum could be used. It is necessary that a high explosive be used to atomize a flammable material, since a low-order explosion does not occur quickly enough to atomize or ignite the flammable material.


4.54     LIGHT BULB BOMBS

	An automatic reaction to walking into a dark room is to turn on the light. This can be fatal, if a light bulb bomb has been placed in the overhead light socket.  A light bulb bomb is surprisingly easy to make.  It also comes with its own initiator and electric ignition system.  On some light bulbs, the light bulb glass can be removed from the metal base by heating the base of a light bulb in a gas flame, such as that of a blowtorch or gas stove.  This must be done carefully, since the inside of a light bulb is a vacuum.  When the glue gets hot enough, the glass bulb can be pulled off the metal base.  On other bulbs, it is necessary to heat the glass directly with a blowtorch or oxy-acetylene torch. In either case, once the bulb and/or base has cooled down to room temperature or lower, the bulb can be filled with an explosive material, such as black powder.  If the glass was removed from the metal base, it must be glued back on to the base with epoxy.  If a hole was put in the bulb, a piece of duct tape is sufficient to hold the explosive in the in the bulb.  Then, after making sure that the socket has no power by checking with a working light bulb, all that need be done is to screw the light bulb bomb into the socket.  Such a device has been used by terrorists or assassins with much success, since nobody can search the room for a bomb without first turning on the light.

4.55     BOOK BOMBS

	Concealing a bomb can be extremely difficult in a day and age where perpetrators of violence run wild.  Bags and briefcases are often searched by authorities whenever one enters a place where an individual might intend to set off a bomb.  One approach to disguising a bomb is to build what is called a book bomb; an explosive device that is entirely contained inside of a book.  Usually, a relatively large book is required, and the book must be of the hardback variety to hide any protrusions of a bomb.  Dictionaries, law books, large textbooks, and other such books work well.  When an individual makes a book bomb, he/she must choose a type of book that is appropriate for the place where the book bomb will be placed.  The actual construction of a book bomb can be done by anyone who possesses an electric drill and a coping saw.  First, all of the pages of the book must be glued together.  By pouring an entire container of water-soluble glue into a large bucket, and filling the bucket with boiling water, a glue-water solution can be made that will hold all of the book's pages together tightly.  After the glue-water solution has cooled to a bearable temperature, and the solution has been stirred well, the pages of the book must be immersed in the glue-water solution, and each page must be thoroughly soaked.  It is extremely important that the covers of the book do not get stuck to the pages of the book while the pages are drying. Suspending the book by both covers and clamping the pages together in a vice works best.  When the pages dry, after about three days to a week, a hole must be drilled into the now rigid pages, and they should drill out much like wood. Then, by inserting the coping saw blade through the pages and sawing out a rectangle from the middle of the book, the individual will be left with a shell of the book's pages.  The pages, when drilled out, should look like this:
EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat
(Book covers omitted)
	This rectangle must be securely glued to the back cover of the book.  After building his/her bomb, which usually is of the timer or radio controlled variety, the bomber places it inside the book.  The bomb itself, and whatever timer or detonator is used, should be packed in foam to prevent it from rolling or shifting about.  Finally, after the timer is set, or the radio control has been turned on, the front cover is glued closed, and the bomb is taken to its destination.

4.56     PHONE BOMBS

	The phone bomb is an explosive device that has been used in the past to kill or injure a specific individual.  The basic idea is simple: when the person answers the phone, the bomb explodes.  If a small but powerful high explosive device with a squib was placed in the phone receiver, when the current flowed through the receiver, the squib would explode, detonating the high explosive in the person's hand.  Nasty.  All that has to be done is acquire a squib, and tape the receiver switch down.  Unscrew the mouthpiece cover, and remove the speaker, and connect the squib's leads where it was. Place a high explosive putty, such as C-1 (see section 3.31) in the receiver, and screw the cover on, making sure that the squib is surrounded by the C-1. Hang the phone up, and leave the tape in place.  
	When the individual to whom the phone belongs attempts to answer the phone, he will notice the tape, and remove it.  This will allow current to flow through the squib.  Note that the device will not explode by merely making a phone call; the owner of the phone must lift up the receiver, and remove the tape.  It is highly probable that the phone will be by his/her ear when the device explodes...

Addendum 4/12/91:

The above seems overly complicated to me... it would be better to rig the device as follows:

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat
* End Addendum
5.0     SPECIAL AMMUNITION FOR PROJECTILE WEAPONS

	Explosive and/or poisoned ammunition is an important part of a social deviant's arsenal.  Such ammunition gives the user a distinct advantage over individual who use normal ammunition, since a grazing hit is good enough to kill.  Special ammunition can be made for many types of weapons, from crossbows to shotguns.

5.1     SPECIAL AMMUNITION FOR PRIMITIVE WEAPONS

	For the purposes of this publication, we will call any weapon primitive that does not employ burning gunpowder to propel a projectile forward.  This means blowguns, bows and crossbows, and wrist rockets.

5.11     BOW AND CROSSBOW AMMUNITION

	Bows and crossbows both fire arrows or bolts as ammunition.  It is extremely simple to poison an arrow or bolt, but it is a more difficult matter to produce explosive arrows or bolts.  If, however, one can acquire aluminum piping that is the same diameter of an arrow or crossbow bolt, the entire segment of piping can be converted into an explosive device that detonates upon impact, or with a fuse.  
	All that need be done is find an aluminum tube of the right length and diameter, and plug the back end with tissue paper and epoxy. Fill the tube with any type of low-order explosive or sensitive high-order explosive up to about 1/2 an inch from the top.
	Cut a slot in the piece of tubing, and carefully squeeze the top of the tube into a round point, making sure to leave a small hole.  Place a no. 11 percussion cap over the hole, and secure it with super glue.
	Finally, wrap the end of the device with electrical or duct tape, and make fins out of tape.  Or, fins can be bought at a sporting goods store, and glued to the shaft.  The finished product should look like:

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

	When the arrow or bolt strikes a hard surface, the percussion cap explodes, igniting or detonating the explosive.

5.12     SPECIAL AMMUNITION FOR BLOWGUNS

	The blowgun is an interesting weapon which has several advantages. A blowgun can be extremely accurate, concealable, and deliver an explosive or poisoned projectile.  The manufacture of an explosive dart or projectile is not difficult.
	Perhaps the most simple design for such involves the use of a pill capsule, such as the kind that are taken for headaches or allergies. Such a capsule could easily be opened, and the medicine removed.  Next, the capsule would be re-filled with an impact-sensitive explosive.  An additional high explosive charge could be placed behind the impact-sensitive explosive, if one of the larger capsules were used.
	Finally, the explosive capsule would be reglued back together, and a tassel or cotton would be glued to the end containing the high explosive, to insure that the impact-detonating explosive struck the target first.

       Such a device would probably be about 3/4 of an inch long, not including the tassel or cotton, and look something like this:

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

5.13     SPECIAL AMMUNITION FOR WRIST ROCKETS AND SLINGSHOTS

	A modern wrist rocket is a formidable weapon.  It can throw a shooter marble about 500 ft. with reasonable accuracy.  Inside of 200 ft., it could well be lethal to a man or animal, if it struck in a vital area.  Because of the relatively large sized projectile that can be used in a wrist rocket, the wrist rocket can be adapted to throw relatively powerful explosive projectiles.

	A small segment of aluminum pipe could be made into an impact-detonating device by filling it with an impact-sensitive explosive material.  
	Also, such a pipe could be filled with a low-order explosive, and fitted with a fuse, which would be lit before the device was shot.  One would have to make sure that the fuse was of sufficient length to insure that the device did not explode before it reached its intended target.
	Finally, .22 caliber caps, such as the kind that are used in .22 caliber blank guns, make excellent exploding ammunition for wrist rockets, but they must be used at a relatively close range, because of their light weight.

5.2     SPECIAL AMMUNITION FOR FIREARMS

	When special ammunition is used in combination with the power and rapidity of modern firearms, it becomes very easy to take on a small army with a single weapon. It is possible to buy explosive ammunition, but that can be difficult to do. Such ammunition can also be manufactured in the home.  There is, however, a risk involved with modifying any ammunition.  If the ammunition is modified incorrectly, in such a way that it makes the bullet even the slightest bit wider, an explosion in the barrel of the weapon will occur.  For this reason, NOBODY SHOULD EVER ATTEMPT TO MANUFACTURE SUCH AMMUNITION.

5.21     SPECIAL AMMUNITION FOR HANDGUNS

	If an individual wished to produce explosive ammunition for his/her handgun, he/she could do it, provided that the person had an impact-sensitive explosive and a few simple tools.  One would first purchase all lead bullets, and then make or acquire an impact-detonating explosive.  By drilling a hole in a lead bullet with a drill, a space could be created for the placement of an explosive.  After filling the hole with an explosive, it would be sealed in the bullet with a drop of hot wax from a candle.  A diagram of a completed
exploding bullet is shown below.

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

	This hollow space design also works for putting poison in bullets.

5.22     SPECIAL AMMUNITION FOR SHOTGUNS

	Because of their large bore and high power, it is possible to create some extremely powerful special ammunition for use in shotguns. If a shotgun shell is opened at the top, and the shot removed, the shell can be re-closed. Then, if one can find a very smooth, lightweight wooden dowel that is close to the bore width of the shotgun, a person can make several types of shotgun-launched weapons.
	Insert the dowel in the barrel of the shotgun with the shell without the shot in the firing chamber. Mark the dowel about six inches away from the end of the barrel, and remove it from the barrel.
	Next, decide what type of explosive or incendiary device is to be used.  This device can be a chemical fire bottle (sect. 3.43), a pipe bomb (sect. 4.42), or a thermite bomb (sect 3.41 and 4.42). After the device is made, it must be securely attached to the dowel. When this is done, place the dowel back in the shotgun. The bomb or incendiary device should be on the end of the dowel.
	Make sure that the device has a long enough fuse, light the fuse, and fire the shotgun. If the projectile is not too heavy, ranges of up to 300 ft are possible. A diagram of a shotgun projectile is shown below:

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

5.3     SPECIAL AMMUNITION FOR COMPRESSED AIR/GAS WEAPONS

	This section deals with the manufacture of special ammunition for compressed air or compressed gas weapons, such as pump BB guns, CO2 BB guns, and .22 cal pellet guns.  These weapons, although usually thought of as kids toys, can be made into rather dangerous weapons.

5.31     SPECIAL AMMUNITION FOR BB GUNS

	A BB gun, for this manuscript, will be considered any type of rifle or pistol that uses compressed air or CO2 gas to fire a projectile with a caliber of .177, either BB, or lead pellet. Such guns can have almost as high a muzzle velocity as a bullet-firing rifle. Because of the speed at which a .177 caliber projectile flies, an impact detonating projectile can easily be made that has a caliber of .177.
	Most ammunition for guns of greater than .22 caliber use primers to ignite the powder in the bullet. These primers can be bought at gun stores, since many people like to reload their own bullets. Such primers detonate when struck by the firing pin of a gun. They will also detonate if they are thrown at a hard surface at a great speed.  Usually, they will also fit in the barrel of a .177 caliber gun. If they are inserted flat end first, they will detonate when the gun is fired at a hard surface. If such a primer is attached to a piece of thin metal tubing, such as that used in an antenna, the tube can be filled with an explosive, be sealed, and fired from a BB gun. A diagram of such a projectile appears below:
EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

	The front primer is attached to the tubing with a drop of super glue. The tubing is then filled with an explosive, and the rear primer is glued on.  Finally, a tassel, or a small piece of cotton is glued to the rear primer, to insure that the projectile strikes on the front primer.  The entire projectile should be about 3/4 of an inch long.

5.32     SPECIAL AMMUNITION FOR .22 CALIBER PELLET GUNS

	A .22 caliber pellet gun usually is equivalent to a .22 cal rifle, at close ranges.  Because of this, relatively large explosive projectiles can be adapted for use with .22 caliber air rifles.  A design similar to that used in section 5.12 is suitable, since some capsules are about .22 caliber or smaller. Or, a design similar to that in section 5.31 could be used, only one would have to purchase black powder percussion caps, instead of ammunition primers, since there are percussion caps that are about .22 caliber.  A #11 cap is too small, but anything larger will do nicely.


6.0     ROCKETS AND CANNONS

	Rockets and cannon are generally thought of as heavy artillery.  Perpetrators of violence do not usually employ such devices, because they are difficult or impossible to acquire.  They are not, however, impossible to make. Any individual who can make or buy black powder or pyrodex can make such things. A terrorist with a cannon or large rocket is, indeed, something to fear.

6.1     ROCKETS

	Rockets were first developed by the Chinese several hundred years before the myth of Christ began.  They were used for entertainment, in the form of fireworks. They were not usually used for military purposes because they were inaccurate, expensive, and unpredictable.  In modern times, however, rockets are used constantly by the military, since they are cheap, reliable, and have no recoil. Perpetrators of violence, fortunately, cannot obtain military rockets, but they can make or buy rocket engines.  Model rocketry is a popular hobby of the space age, and to launch a rocket, an engine is required.  Estes, a subsidiary of Damon, is the leading manufacturer of model rockets and rocket engines.  Their most powerful engine, the "D" engine, can develop almost 12 3lb. of thrust; enough to send a relatively large explosive charge a significant distance. Other companies, such as Centuri, produce even larger rocket engines, which develop up to 30 lb. of thrust.  These model rocket engines are quite reliable, and are designed to be fired electrically.  Most model rocket engines have three basic sections.  The diagram below will help explain them.

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

	The clay nozzle is where the igniter is inserted.  When the area labeled "thrust" is ignited, the "thrust" material, usually a large single grain of a propellant such as black powder or pyrodex, burns, forcing large volumes of hot, rapidly expanding gasses out the narrow nozzle, pushing the rocket forward.
	After the material has been consumed, the smoke section of the engine is ignited.  It is usually a slow-burning material, similar to black powder that has had various compounds added to it to produce visible smoke, usually black, white, or yellow in color.  This section exists so that the rocket will be seen when it reaches its maximum altitude, or apogee.
	When it is burned up, it ignites the ejection charge, labeled "eject".  The ejection charge is finely powdered black powder.  It burns very rapidly, exploding, in effect.  The explosion of the ejection charge pushes out the parachute of the model rocket. It could also be used to ignite the fuse of a bomb...
	Rocket engines have their own peculiar labeling system.  Typical engine labels are: 1/4A-2T, 1/2A-3T, A8-3, B6-4, C6-7, and D12-5.  The letter is an indicator of the power of an engine.  "B" engines are twice as powerful as "A" engines, and "C" engines are twice as powerful as "B" engines, and so on.  The number following the letter is the approximate thrust of the engine, in pounds. the final number and letter is the time delay, from the time that the thrust period of engine burn ends until the ejection charge fires; "3T" indicates a 3 second delay.

NOTE: an extremely effective rocket propellant can be made by mixing aluminum dust with ammonium per chlorate and a very small amount of iron oxide. The mixture is bound together by an epoxy.


6.11     BASIC ROCKET BOMB

	A rocket bomb is simply what the name implies: a bomb that is delivered to its target by means of a rocket.  Most people who would make such a device would use a model rocket engine to power the device.  By cutting fins from balsa wood and gluing them to a large rocket engine, such as the Estes "C" engine, a basic rocket could be constructed.  Then, by attaching a "crater maker", or CO2 cartridge bomb to the rocket, a bomb would be added.  To insure that the fuse of the "crater maker" (see sect. 4.42) ignited, the clay over the ejection charge of the engine should be scraped off with a plastic tool.  The fuse of the bomb should be touching the ejection charge, as shown below.

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

	Duct tape is the best way to attach the crater maker to the rocket engine. Note in the diagram the absence of the clay over the ejection charge Many different types of explosive payloads can be attached to the rocket, such as a high explosive, an incendiary device, or a chemical fire bottle.
	Either four or three fins must be glued to the rocket engine to insure that the rocket flies straight. The fins should look like the following diagram:

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat
	The leading edge and trailing edge should be sanded with sandpaper so that they are rounded.  This will help make the rocket fly straight.  A two inch long section of a plastic straw can be attached to the rocket to launch it from.  A clothes hanger can be cut and made into a launch rod.  The segment of a plastic straw should be glued to the rocket engine adjacent to one of the fins of the rocket.  A front view of a completed rocket bomb is shown below.



EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

	By cutting a coat hanger at the indicated arrows, and bending it, a launch rod can be made.  After a fuse is inserted in the engine, the rocket is simply slid down the launch rod, which is put through the segment of plastic straw. The rocket should slide easily along a coat hanger, such as the one illustrated on the following page:

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat
  
   Bend wire to this shape:

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

6.12     LONG RANGE ROCKET BOMB

	Long range rockets can be made by using multi-stage rockets.  Model rocket engines with an "0" for a time delay are designed for use in multi-stage rockets.  An engine such as the D12-0 is an excellent example of such an engine. Immediately after the thrust period is over, the ejection charge explodes.  If another engine is placed directly against the back of an "0" engine, the explosion of the ejection charge will send hot gasses and burning particles into the nozzle of the engine above it, and ignite the thrust section.  This will push the used "0" engine off of the rocket, causing an overall loss of weight.
	The main advantage of a multi-stage rocket is that it loses weight as travels, and it gains velocity.  A multi-stage rocket must be designed somewhat differently than a single stage rocket, since, in order for a rocket to fly straight, its center of gravity must be ahead of its center of drag.  This is accomplished by adding weight to the front of the rocket, or by moving the center of drag back by putting fins on the rocket that are well behind the rocket.  A diagram of a multi-stage rocket appears on the following page: 

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat
	The fuse is put in the bottom engine.

	Two, three, or even four stages can be added to a rocket bomb to give it a longer range.  It is important, however, that for each additional stage, the fin area gets larger.

6.13     MULTIPLE WARHEAD ROCKET BOMBS

	M.R.V." is an acronym for Multiple Reentry Vehicle.  The concept is simple: put more than one explosive warhead on a single missile.  This can be done without too much difficulty by anyone who knows how to make crater-makers and can buy rocket engines.  By attaching crater makers with long fuses to a rocket, it is possible that a single rocket could deliver several explosive devices to a target. Such a rocket might look like the diagram on the following page:

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

6.2     CANNONS

	The cannon is a piece of artillery that has been in use since the 11th century.  It is not unlike a musket, in that it is filled with powder, loaded, and fired.  Cannons of this sort must also be cleaned after each shot, otherwise, the projectile may jam in the barrel when it is fired, causing the barrel to explode.  A sociopath could build a cannon without too much trouble, if he/she had a little bit of money, and some patience.

6.21     BASIC PIPE CANNON

	A simple cannon can be made from a thick pipe by almost anyone.  The only difficult part is finding a pipe that is extremely smooth on its interior.  This is absolutely necessary; otherwise, the projectile may jam.  Copper or aluminum piping is usually smooth enough, but it must also be extremely thick to withstand the pressure developed by the expanding hot gasses in a cannon.
	If one uses a projectile such as a CO2 cartridge, since such a projectile can be made to explode, a pipe that is about 1.5 - 2 feet long is ideal.  Such a pipe MUST have walls that are at least 1/3 to 1/2 an inch thick, and be very smooth on the interior.  If possible, screw an end plug into the pipe.  Otherwise, the pipe must be crimped and folded closed, without cracking or tearing the pipe. A small hole is drilled in the back of the pipe near the crimp or end plug. Then, all that need be done is fill the pipe with about two teaspoons of grade black powder or pyrodex, insert a fuse, pack it lightly by ramming a wad of tissue paper down the barrel, and drop in a CO2 cartridge. Brace the cannon securely against a strong structure, light the fuse, and run.  If the person is lucky, he will not have overcharged the cannon, and he will not be hit by pieces of exploding barrel.  Such a cannon would look like this:

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

	An exploding projectile can be made for this type of cannon with a CO2 cartridge. It is relatively simple to do. Just make a crater maker, and construct it such that the fuse projects about an inch from the end of the cartridge. Then, wrap the fuse with duct tape, covering it entirely, except for a small amount at the end. Put this in the pipe cannon without using a tissue paper packing wad.

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat

6.22     ROCKET FIRING CANNON

EMBED PBrush \s  \* mergeformat
	A rocket firing cannon can be made exactly like a normal cannon; the only difference is the ammunition. A rocket fired from a cannon will fly further than a rocket alone, since the action of shooting it overcomes the initial inertia. A rocket that is launched when it is moving will go further than one that is launched when it is stationary. Such a rocket would resemble a normal rocket bomb, except it would have no fins. It would look like the image to the left.
	The fuse on such a device would, obviously, be short, but it would not be ignited until the rocket's ejection charge exploded.  Thus, the delay before the ejection charge, in effect, becomes the delay before the bomb explodes. Note that no fuse need be put in the rocket; the burning powder in the cannon will ignite it, and simultaneously push the rocket out of the cannon at a high velocity.
7.0     PYROTECHNICA ERRATA

	There are many other types of pyrotechnics that a perpetrator of violence might employ. Smoke bombs can be purchased in magic stores, and large military smoke bombs can be bought through ads in gun and military magazines. Also, fireworks can also be used as weapons of terror. A large aerial display rocket
would cause many injuries if it were to be fired so that it landed on the ground near a crowd of people. Even the "harmless" pull-string fireworks, which consists of a sort of firecracker that explodes when the strings running through it are pulled, could be placed inside a large charge of a sensitive high explosive. Tear gas is another material that might well be useful to the sociopath, and such a material could be instantly disseminated over a large crowd by means of a rocket-bomb, with nasty effects.

7.1     SMOKE BOMBS

	One type of pyrotechnic device that might be employed by a terrorist in many way would be a smoke bomb.  Such a device could conceal the getaway route, or cause a diversion, or simply provide cover.  Such a device, were it to produce enough smoke that smelled bad enough, could force the evacuation of a building, for example.  Smoke bombs are not difficult to make.  Although the military smoke bombs employ powdered white phosphorus or titanium compounds, such materials are usually unavailable to even the most well-equipped terrorist. Instead, he/she would have to make the smoke bomb for themselves.
	Most homemade smoke bombs usually employ some type of base powder, such as black powder or pyrodex, to support combustion.  The base material will burn well, and provide heat to cause the other materials in the device to burn, but not completely or cleanly.  Table sugar, mixed with sulfur and a base material, produces large amounts of smoke.  Sawdust, especially if it has a small amount of oil in it, and a base powder works well also.  Other excellent smoke ingredients are small pieces of rubber, finely ground plastics, and many chemical mixtures.  The material in road flares can be mixed with sugar and sulfur and a base powder produces much smoke.  Most of the fuel-oxidizer mixtures, if the ratio is not correct, produce much smoke when added to a base powder.  The list of possibilities goes on and on.  The trick to a successful smoke bomb also lies in the container used.  A plastic cylinder works well, and contributes to the smoke produced.  The hole in the smoke bomb where the fuse enters must be large enough to allow the material to burn without causing an explosion.  This is another plus for plastic containers, since they will melt and burn when the smoke material ignites, producing an opening large enough to prevent an explosion.

7.2     COLORED FLAMES

	Colored flames can often be used as a signaling device for terrorists. by putting a ball of colored flame material in a rocket; the rocket, when the ejection charge fires, will send out a burning colored ball.  The materials that produce the different colors of flames appear below.

COLOR               MATERIAL                        USED IN
red                       strontium                            road flares,
			     salts                                    red sparklers
			     (strontium
			      nitrate)

green                  barium salts                        green sparklers               
			    (barium nitrate)

yellow                sodium salts                       gold sparklers                
			    (sodium nitrate)

blue                    powdered copper                blue sparklers,               
			   old pennies


COLOR               MATERIAL                        USED IN
white                   powdered magnesium        fire starters,                 
			    or aluminum                          aluminum foil

purple                 potassium permanganate   purple fountains,
									    treating sewage

7.3     TEAR GAS

	A terrorist who could make tear gas or some similar compound could use it with ease against a large number of people.  Tear gas is fairly complicated to make, however, and this prevents such individuals from being able to utilize its great potential for harm.  One method for its preparation is shown below.

EQUIPMENT FOR MAKING TEAR GAS

     1.  ring stands (2)                    7.  clamp holder
     2.  alcohol burner                    8.  condenser
     3.  Erlenmeyer flask, 300 ml    9.  rubber tubing
     4.  clamps (2)                            10.  collecting flask
     5.  rubber stopper                    11.  air trap
     6.  glass tubing                        12.  beaker, 300 ml

MATERIALS

     10 g  glycerin   2 g sodium bisulfate    distilled water

1.      In an open area, wearing a gas mask, mix 10 g of glycerin with 2 g of sodium bisulfate in the 300 ml Erlenmeyer flask.
2.      Light the alcohol burner, and gently heat the flask.
3.      The mixture will begin to bubble and froth; these bubbles are tear gas.
4.      When the mixture being heated ceases to froth and generate gas, or a brown residue becomes visible in the tube, the reaction is complete.  Remove the heat source, and dispose of the heated mixture, as it is   corrosive.
5.      The material that condenses in the condenser and drips into the collecting flask is tear gas.  It must be capped tightly, and stored in a safe place.

7.4     FIREWORKS

	While fireworks cannot really be used as an effective means of terror, they do have some value as distractions or incendiaries.  There are several basic types of fireworks that can be made in the home, whether for fun, profit, or nasty uses.

7.41     FIRECRACKERS

	A simple firecracker can be made from cardboard tubing and epoxy. The instructions are below:

1.      Cut a small piece of cardboard tubing from the tube you are using.  "Small" means anything less than 4 times the diameter of the tube.
2.      Set the section of tubing down on a piece of wax paper, and fill it with epoxy and the drying agent to a height of 3/4 the diameter  of the tubing.  Allow the epoxy to dry to maximum hardness, as specified on the package.
3.      When it is dry, put a small hole in the middle of the tube, and insert a desired length of fuse.
4.      Fill the tube with any type of flame-sensitive explosive.  Flash powder, pyrodex, black powder, potassium picrate, lead azide, nitrocellulose, or any of the fast burning fuel-oxidizer mixtures will do nicely.  Fill the tube almost to the top.
5.      Pack the explosive tightly in the tube with a wad of tissue paper and a pencil or other suitable ramrod.  Be sure to leave enough space for more epoxy.
6.      Fill the remainder of the tube with the epoxy and hardener, and allow it to dry.
7.      For those who wish to make spectacular firecrackers, always use flash powder, mixed with a small amount of other material for colors. By crushing the material on a sparkler, and adding it to the flash powder, the explosion will be the same color as the sparkler.   By adding small chunks of sparkler material, the device will throw out colored burning sparks, of the same color as the sparkler.  By adding powdered iron, orange sparks will be produced. White sparks can be produced from magnesium shavings, or from small, LIGHTLY crumpled balls of aluminum foil.

Example:  Suppose I wish to make a firecracker that will explode with a red flash, and throw out white sparks.
First, I would take a road flare, and finely powder the material inside it.   Or, I could take a red sparkler, and finely powder it.  Then, I would mix a small amount of this material with the flash powder.  (NOTE: FLASH POWDER MAY REACT WITH SOME MATERIALS THAT IT IS MIXED WITH, AND EXPLODE SPONTANEOUSLY!)  I would mix it in a ratio of 9 parts flash powder to 1 part of flare or sparkler material, and add about 15 small balls of aluminum foil I would store the material in a plastic bag overnight outside of the house, to make sure that the stuff doesn't react. Then, in the morning, I would test a small amount of it, and if it was satisfactory, I would put it in the firecracker.

8.      If this type of firecracker is mounted on a rocket engine, professional to semi-professional displays can be produced.

7.42     SKYROCKETS

	An impressive home made skyrocket can easily be made in the home from model rocket engines.  Estes engines are recommended.

1.      Buy an Estes Model Rocket Engine of the desired size, remembering that the power doubles with each letter.  (See sect. 6.1 for details)
2.      Either buy a section of body tube for model rockets that exactly fits the engine, or make a tube from several thicknesses of paper and glue.
3.      Scrape out the clay backing on the back of the engine, so that the powder is exposed.  Glue the tube to the engine, so that the tube covers at least half the engine.  Pour a small charge of flash powder in the tube, about 1/2 an inch.
4.      By adding materials as detailed in the section on firecrackers, various types of effects can be produced.
5.      By putting Jumping Jacks or bottle rockets without the stick in the tube, spectacular displays with moving fireballs or M.R.V.'s can be produced.
6.      Finally, by mounting many home made firecrackers on the tube with the fuses in the tube, multiple colored bursts can be made.

7.43     ROMAN CANDLES

	Roman candles are impressive to watch.  They are relatively difficult to make, compared to the other types of home-made fireworks, but they are well worth the trouble.

1.      Buy a 1/2 inch thick model rocket body tube, and reinforce it with several layers of paper and/or masking tape.  This must be done to prevent the tube from exploding.  Cut the tube into about 10 inch lengths.
2.      Put the tube on a sheet of wax paper, and seal one end with epoxy and the drying agent.  About 1/2 of an inch is sufficient.
3.      Put a hole in the tube just above the bottom layer of epoxy, and insert a desired length of water proof fuse.  Make sure that the fuse fits tightly.
4.      Pour about 1 inch of pyrodex or gunpowder down the open end of the tube.
5.      Make a ball by powdering about two 6 inch sparklers of the desired color.  Mix this powder with a small amount of flash powder and a small amount of pyrodex, to have a final ratio (by volume) of 60% sparkler material  / 20% flash powder / 20% pyrodex.  After mixing the powders well, add water, one drop at a time, and mixing continuously, until a damp paste is formed.
This paste should be moldable by hand, and should retain its shape when left alone. Make a ball out of the paste that just fits into the tube. Allow the ball to dry.
6.      When it is dry, drop the ball down the tube.  It should slide down fairly easily.  Put a small wad of tissue paper in the tube, and pack it gently against the ball with a pencil.
7.      When ready to use, put the candle in a hole in the ground, pointed in a safe direction, light the fuse, and run.  If the device works, a colored fireball should shoot out of the tube to a height of about 30 feet.  This height can be increased by adding a slightly larger powder charge in step 4, or by using a slightly longer tube.
8.      If the ball does not ignite, add slightly more pyrodex in step 5.
9.      The balls made for roman candles also function very well in rockets, producing an effect of falling colored fireballs.

8.0     LISTS OF SUPPLIERS AND MORE INFORMATION

	Most, if not all, of the information in this publication can be obtained through a public or university library.  There are also many publications that are put out by people who want to make money by telling other people how to make explosives at home.  Adds for such appear frequently in paramilitary magazines and newspapers.  This list is presented to show the large number of places that information and materials can be purchased from.   It also includes fireworks companies and the like.

COMPANY NAME AND ADDRESS               WHAT COMPANY SELLS
 FULL AUTO CO. INC.                                            EXPLOSIVE RECIPES,
 PO. BOX 1881                                                           PAPER TUBING
 MURFREESBORO, TN
 37133

 UNLIMITED                                                             CHEMICALS AND FUSE
 BOX 1378-SN
 HERMISTON, OREGON
 97838

 AMERICAN FIREWORKS NEWS                        FIREWORKS NEWS MAGAZINE WITH
 SR BOX 30                                                                 SOURCES AND TECHNIQUES
 DINGMAN'S FERRY, PENNSYLVANIA 18328

 BARNETT INTERNATIONAL INC.                      BOWS, CROSSBOWS, ARCHERY MATERIALS,
 125 RUNNELS STREET                                           AIR RIFLES
 P.O. BOX 226
 PORT HURON, MICHIGAN 48060

 CROSSMAN AIR GUNS                                         AIR GUNS
 PO. BOX 22927
 ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
 14692

 R. ALLEN                                                                   PROFESSIONAL FIREWORKS CONSTRUCTION
 PO. BOX 146                                                              BOOKS & FORMULAS
 WILLOW GROVE, PA 19090

 MJ DISTRIBUTING                                                  FIREWORKS FORMULAS
 PO. BOX 10585
 YAKIMA, WA   98909

 EXECUTIVE PROTECTION PRODUCTS INC.     TEAR GAS GRENADES,
 316 CALIFORNIA AVE.                                           PROTECTION DEVICES
 RENO, NEVADA
 89509

 BADGER FIREWORKS CO. INC.                           CLASS "B" AND "C" FIREWORKS  BOX 1451
 JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
 53547

 NEW ENGLAND FIREWORKS CO. INC.             CLASS "C" FIREWORKS  PO. BOX 3504
 STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT
 06095
 COMPANY NAME AND ADDRESS               WHAT COMPANY SELLS
 RAINBOW TRAIL                                                    CLASS "C" FIREWORKS  BOX 581
 EDGEMONT, PENNSYLVANIA 19028

 STONINGTON FIREWORKS INC.                         CLASS "C" AND "B" FIREWORKS  4010 NEW
 WILSEY BAY U.25 ROAD
 RAPID RIVER, MICHIGAN 49878

 WINDY CITY FIREWORKS INC.                           CLASS "C" AND "B" FIREWORKS
 PO. BOX 11                                                                 (GOOD PRICES!)
 ROCHESTER, INDIANA 46975

BOOKS

THE ANARCHIST'S COOKBOOK

THE IMPROVISED MUNITIONS MANUAL

MILITARY EXPLOSIVES

FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS

9.0     CHECKLIST FOR RAIDS ON LABS

	In the end, the serious terrorist wo
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|    This File Was Downloaded From The Dark Secrets of the Underground    |
|           Web Site.  Located at http://www.Dark-Secrets.com             |
|             Over 300megs of files and growing all the time!             |
|               Hacking/Phreaking/Anarchy/Cracking/Virus and              |
|                  Everything To Do With The Underground!                 |
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
