Smoke Bomb
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Notes on the original smoke bomb
Firstly, KNO3 is available at most "ACE" hardware stores as "Grant's Tree Stump Remover". It unfortunately goes at $10 per pound, but then again, they tend to have horrible security (no beeper towers at the door!). Secondly, adding a teaspoon or so of baking soda reduces the amount of flames released from the smoke bomb ( it does indeed release flame, regardless of the statements in the original material).
The smoke bomb DOES have safety issues, but they can be overcome easily. It usually emits at least some flame, and even if it doesn't many mixtures get VERY hot. One precaution to take here is to add baking soda reducing the flame. I also suggest a THICK cardboard casing.
Adding ground black pepper or replacing the sugar with brown sugar thickens the smoke, but also makes it smell revolting. It does not however, add any irritant properties.
Ping-Pong ball Smoke Bomb
Believe it or not there is an easier way to make a simple smoke bomb without all of the chemicals, you will need 6 ping-pong balls, scissors, tin foil, a straw, and a fuse (this article tells how to make fuse somewhere below). Using the scissors, cut 5 of the ping-pong balls into small pieces and drill a hole the size of a straw in the top of the sixth one. Then take the cut up pieces and put ALL OF THEM in the ball with the hole in it. Then cut the straw down so about an inch and a half can be seen sticking out of the top. NOTE: If you're using a bendy-straw make sure you don't use any part of the bent section. Next, you cover all of it with tin foil including the straw. DO NOT cover the open part of the straw or it won't work. Make sure all of it is covered or it also might not work. Then you put your fuse in and make sure it's in there good. Finally, you set the bomb down with the open straw facing upward and light the fuse.
Real competition ping-pong balls are nitrocellulose like gunpowder, burns great and non-toxic.
Alternate KNO3 smoke device
Take the powdered, but not yet caramelized mixture described below ( actually its probably best to increase the ratio of nitrate to sugar, as the paper acts as a fuel), and soak it into a sheet of newsprint. The newspaper emits smoke and removes most of the flames. Once dry, 8 hours on a hot dry day, there will be almost unnoticeable crystals formed on the paper. This will take several days when you get shitty weather. (optionally, match heads are put on the paper to increase burn rate.) The paper is then folded to a 2 inch wide strip, and rolled into a tube. this is held together with a rubberband or a paperclip
The smoke forms a hot jet going down the center, spreading the heat throughout the smoke bomb, causing it to burn faster. If done properly, this will cover a 20x20 foot area with smoke for 30-45 seconds. ( I assume there is wind when I say this.)
Fuses
You can make a good homemade fuse by dipping string or shoe lace in clean water and then rolling it lightly in gunpowder and braiding it. When the powder drys, wrap the braided string tightly and neatly with scotch tape. This fuse can be used in a variety of ways. Try pouring the solution in a hollowed out potato. Find the dumbest group of pigs in a riot, throw it in that direction, and sneak attack them while they're standing around amazed by the smoking potato.
Original SMOKE BOMB
Sometimes it becomes strategically correct to confuse the opposition and provide a smoke screen to aid an escape. A real home-made stroke bomb can be made by combining four parts sugar to six parts saltpeter (available at all chemical supply stores). This mixture must then be heated over a very low flame. It will blend into a plastic substance. When this starts to gel, remove from the heat and allow the plastic to cool. Embed a few wooden match heads into the mass while it's still pliable and attach a fuse.*
The smoke bomb itself is a non-explosive and non-flame-producing, so no extreme safety requirements are needed. About a pound of the plastic will produce thick enough smoke to fill a city block. Just make sure you know which way the wind is blowing. Weathermen-women! If you're not the domestic type, you can order smoke flares (yellow or black) for $2.00 a flare [12 inch] from Time Square Stage Lighting Co., 318 West 47th Street, New York, NY 10036.
