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From: milt@wlcrjs.UUCP (John Milton)
Newsgroups: net.rec
Subject: Re: Blowing things up
Message-ID: <658@wlcrjs.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 3-Apr-85 15:41:07 EST
Article-I.D.: wlcrjs.658
Posted: Wed Apr  3 15:41:07 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 4-Apr-85 08:09:50 EST
References: <579@unmvax.UUCP> <101600001@hplabs.UUCP> <339@ihu1m.UUCP> <180@sdcc13.UUCP>
Reply-To: milt@wlcrjs.UUCP (John Milton)
Organization: chi-net, Public Access UN*X, Chicago IL
Lines: 25
Summary: 

I though I would share a similar story for other people with similar
interests. When I was in 10th grade I was at the peak of my diddling
with combustables. My latest thing was Potasium Chlorate and Red
Phosphorus. It was really great in small quantities. One day (while
the rest of my family was on vacation) I decided to mix up a big batch.
I made it in an 8" x 1" Pyrex test tube (about 3/4 full). I took some
extra effort to grind the KO3 extra fine so it would give more of a
bang instead of a PUFF. I was holding the test tube in my left hand, mixing
the contents by spinning the test tube when it went off. I was not wearing
my glasses (or safety glasses) at time. I was blinded and stunned for a
while. Fortunately I did not pass out. I ran out side and yelled for help.
The whole block heard the WUMP when it went off. I lost sight in my right
eye, my left index finger, and my interest in chemistry. I am still carrying
pieces of Pyrex test tube around. Glass being an innert substance is not
rejected by the body. I heard later while I was in the hospitol that a
piece of glass had gone through a cold water pipe nearby. I am lucky to
be alive. For those of you who have not yet been bitten: 1) SMALL batches
2) SAFETY GLASSES, and most importantly 3) QUIT while you still have all
the parts you were born with.
  I toyed with Iodine/Amonia copmbinations before. I always strained it
out onto filter paper to dry overnight. The next day I always found a
chared piece of filter paper.

John Milton