I thought that only happened in cartoons

[k0ua]

Dynamite would also come in different percentage strengths for what you needed; 40% was pretty much what you used for stump work as you just wanted to loosen them so they could be dozed out. 70-75% was used for shattering rock, and if you'd use that on stumps you might wind up with a kindling mess.

Exactly. Dad only ever had the 40% for stump work, and other things...

 

[Industrial Toys]

Why these percentages? The stuff we bought was CIL forcite (sp?) 40%. Why not 50? or 60?

 

[4570Man]

I’m too young to have bought dynamite in hardware stores. What’s the percentage of or for? Why not just adjust the amount?

 

[bcp]

I believe the % of nitroglycerin determines how fast the explosion is. Slow moves material, fast shatters things, but won't move as much.

Bruce

 

[CalG]

Darwin awards here!

 

[Oldoak]

I’m too young to have bought dynamite in hardware stores. What’s the percentage of or for? Why not just adjust the amount?

Not only hardware stores, but almost any feed & grain farm store, usually kept in a building out back.

Adjusting the amount is was not for armatures. People have become seriously ill and some even died from handling old dynamite which had been oozing nitroglycerin. It is absorbed through the skin. Think of it as a huge overdose of medical nitro tablets prescribed for certain heart patients.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

We would drill a hole in a small juice can(one end is cut out) that would hold a Blackcat tightly. Place small can in a slightly larger can with a couple inches of water in the bottom. Light fuse and BAM! Small can shoots up about 100 feet. Great Fun for a kid.

OMG! We did the same thing. Would get a small orange juice can, cut an X in the top to accept the firecracker, and set it in a one lb. coffee can with water. The can went up like a rocket, blowing water everywhere. It was really amazing!

 

[Doofy]

OMG! We did the same thing. Would get a small orange juice can, cut an X in the top to accept the firecracker, and set it in a one lb. coffee can with water. The can went up like a rocket, blowing water everywhere. It was really amazing!

And the kids rarely even go outside these days. So sad. A whole generation or two are missing out on the joy of "Play".

 

[turnkey4099]

Dynamite would also come in different percentage strengths for what you needed; 40% was pretty much what you used for stump work as you just wanted to loosen them so they could be dozed out. 70-75% was used for shattering rock, and if you'd use that on stumps you might wind up with a kindling mess.

Dad's theory on doing anything. "if this is enought, a lot more will be better" When blowing stumps there wasn't a lot left to pick up!

 

[turnkey4099]

Not only hardware stores, but almost any feed & grain farm store, usually kept in a building out back.

Adjusting the amount is was not for armatures. People have become seriously ill and some even died from handling old dynamite which had been oozing nitroglycerin. It is absorbed through the skin. Think of it as a huge overdose of medical nitro tablets prescribed for certain heart patients.

Almost instant, massive head ache