Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => Science Experiments => Topic started by: the president on 31/03/2009 16:16:39

Title: How to make c4
Post by: the president on 31/03/2009 16:16:39
MOD EDIT - WE DO NOT RECOMMEND THAT ANYBODY TRIES TO DO THIS AT HOME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS STUFF TO PLAY WITH, AND SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE PROFESSIONALS.  YOU COULD EASILY BE KILLED, OR KILL SOMEONE ELSE.  WE REALLY MEAN IT - DO NOT DO THIS AT HOME!




Extracted from (http://www.rotteneggs.com/r3/show/se/146343.html)



If you’ve watched action movies you know what C4 is. It’s a dense, putty-like explosive compound used widely by the military and demolitions crews. You can’t find Composition 4 at your local hardware store, but it’s easy to make your own. Here’s how.

WARNING:

Mixing these chemicals can be VERY DANGEROUS. Storing the finished product long-term can also be hazardous, as the mixture can decompose explosively while in storage.

INGREDIENTS:

12 oz. spackling putty or 20 packs of Silly Putty

1 container Petroleum Jelly (Vasaline)

Candle Wax

12 Oz. Isopropol (rubbing) alcohol

A heat source (hot plate, stove, etc.)

A hydrometer or battery hydrometer

A large Pyrex, or enameled steel container

6 inch length of polyester yarn

Flour or Corn Starch

24 Oz. cooking oil (Canola Oil works best)

1 package wire pipe cleaners

2 packages (2.8 Oz) clear gelatin

Place four cups of tap water in your Pyrex container, and begin heating it until it boils. Add the gelatin, and mix thoroughly. Remove from heat, and allow it to cool completely, then add 4 Oz. of cooking oil, and stir. You should notice a thin layer of solids beginning to form near the top. Scrape off the solids, and place them in a small container. Place them in the freezer.

Next, light your candle, allowing the melted wax to accumulate. In your bowl, mix the petroleum jelly, cooking oil, putty, and corn starch until well blended. Test the mixture with the hydrometer. You should get a reading of 17. If you do not get this reading, keep mixing.

Now remove the chilled mixture from the freezer. BE CAREFUL. The mixture is highly unstable at this point. Add it to the compound in the bowl - the blend should have the consistency of ice cream. Stir in the mixture VERY CAREFULLY.

Now, take approximately 1/3 of your compound, and form it into a ball shape. Often you will see C4 molded into a square, but a sphere-type charge guarantees the highest detonation velocity. You should mold the shape to a density of 1.3 grams in a cube. Dip the ball into the candle wax to seal the compound from moisture. Form a second ball, slightly smaller than the first, and also dip it into the wax. Stack this ball on top of the first. Finally, make a third ball, smaller than the first two, and stack it on top. This three-tiered formation will cause a cascading detonation effect that is absolutely devastating.



You will need your pipe cleaners now. You will insert them into each side of the middle ball - this is where your detonator will attach to the device. There will be three hookups for each side, so you must twist together three pipe cleaners so that they branch out (see Illustration).



Insert the pipe cleaners on opposite sides of the 3-tiered shape. Next you will need your yarn. Tie the yarn around the compound, at the joint between the top second and third sections. Tie it loosely, and let the remaining yarn hang down in front of the charge. This will form a secondary fuse, should it become necessary.

Now, to mark your bomb. This is extremely important. You will need to identify your device according to the internatinal munitions protocol. The first marking will be two black dots near the top of the charge, on the top sphere (use a fine-point black magic marker for this). These dots should be horizontal, about one inch apart. This signifies that it is a class 2 explosive (meaning it’s homemade). Below these dots, place a single third dot. This means it is a class 1 hazardous material (meaning the most dangerous). Then, below this formation line up five dots close together - that will indicate that this is Composition 4. REMEMBER: IT IS ILLEGAL TO MAKE YOUR OWN EXPLOSIVES IF YOU DO NOT MARK THEM PROPERLY.

The finished product is below. As I stated before, it is dangerous to store this material in a closed area. The ideal storage medium is out in the open, preferably on a coffee table, where you can keep a close eye on it. You will probably want to leave it there during the winter and holiday months, but it is wise to dispose of it during spring and summer, when the chemicals become the most volatile.

Title: How to make c4
Post by: Bored chemist on 31/03/2009 20:53:10
I'd like to thank Vietman for that remarkably informative  post, but I think he should have spent one mmore day doing research on the matter before posting.
Title: How to make c4
Post by: neilep on 01/04/2009 01:05:01
erhmm..how explosive is that ?....assuming it is explosive ?
Title: How to make c4
Post by: the president on 01/04/2009 01:22:24
this is a joke im just having a laugh this is my first day on the site i i wanted to see what i could accomplish
Title: How to make c4
Post by: the president on 01/04/2009 01:23:04
i hope you could understand what i was trying to do
Title: How to make c4
Post by: neilep on 01/04/2009 02:37:27
i hope you could understand what i was trying to do


LOL..That's OK...WELCOME !!!  [;D] [;D]
Title: How to make c4
Post by: Chemistry4me on 01/04/2009 05:12:37
Why does everyone want to make C4?
That doesn't appear to be the case when their arms are ripped off? [:)]
Title: How to make c4
Post by: Bored chemist on 01/04/2009 20:57:23
I think those people trying to make C4 should be given this set of instructions.
Title: How to make c4
Post by: the president on 01/04/2009 21:46:04
Yes I think you're right
Title: How to make c4
Post by: Bored chemist on 02/07/2009 07:06:26
The OP said it was a joke. It doesn't work.
Title: How to make c4
Post by: Bill.D.Katt. on 02/07/2009 21:11:38
Thanks, I showed them this topic and your post. I hope they'll listen to me the first time after this.
Title: How to make c4
Post by: lrvv on 11/07/2009 10:31:04
I think  the OP said it was a joke. It doesn't work.
Title: How to make c4
Post by: Chemistry4me on 11/07/2009 10:48:03
It doesn't work.
No way! That must be the biggest understatement of the year.
Title: How to make c4
Post by: Naufal the B. S. on 19/07/2009 09:57:30
Maybe... I wouldn't make it. I DON"T WANT, MONITORED BY GOVERNENT.
Title: How to make c4
Post by: dvijay on 07/08/2009 11:08:38
I am surprised,when he says it was a joke why so many people take it seriously.

If anybody got some knowledge of electricity please send me some circuitdiagram on my requirement.
Title: Re: How to make c4
Post by: thesniper248 on 14/10/2012 12:50:23
explosive really like this done?
Title: Re: How to make c4
Post by: yor_on on 15/10/2012 20:35:10
Of course it will work 'silly' :)
You can't doubt the written word, can you?

We also have a thread on how to make your own (pocket) Atomic bomb, for a memorable evening filled with light and energy :)
Title: Re: How to make c4
Post by: JP on 16/10/2012 03:49:58
We also have a thread on how to make your own (pocket) Atomic bomb, for a memorable evening filled with light and energy :)

Take 1 teaspoon of matter and mix with 1 teaspoon of antimatter.  Enjoy the light show.
Title: Re: How to make c4
Post by: thesniper248 on 17/10/2012 19:08:38
So how is it done anything Shor really is that damn C4 bomb? May I have a link?
Title: Re: How to make c4
Post by: Bored chemist on 17/10/2012 19:14:43
It's a joke, and anyone who didn't spot that is simply not bright enough to be trusted with explosives.
Title: Re: How to make c4
Post by: CliffordK on 04/11/2012 21:55:44
Sit down and eat a large helping of prunes...
20 will do just fine.

...


Oh, was that C4 you're talking about....  I was thinking of CH4.
Title: Re: How to make c4
Post by: RE.Craig on 10/02/2013 15:36:22
this is a joke im just having a laugh this is my first day on the site i i wanted to see what i could accomplish
This is also my first day and post on the site. Your tag "How to make C4" will have shown up on UK and US intelligence agency internet intercept protocols, and I can guarantee that your IP address will now be permanently put on a "watch for suspicious activity" list!!! Good luck on your next visit to the states!!! 
Title: Re: How to make c4
Post by: RE.Craig on 10/02/2013 15:57:53
I think those people trying to make C4 should be given this set of instructions.
Yes I agree, let's give the "Putty formula" to the North Korean's and see how many scientists are sent to the gulags for failing to make it work.
Title: Re: How to make c4
Post by: CliffordK on 10/02/2013 20:39:14
This is also my first day and post on the site. Your tag "How to make C4" will have shown up on UK and US intelligence agency internet intercept protocols, and I can guarantee that your IP address will now be permanently put on a "watch for suspicious activity" list!!! Good luck on your next visit to the states!!! 
If only all the would-be terrorists followed the instructions outlined by "the President". 

They should give the original author a Free ticket to the USA.
Title: Re: How to make c4
Post by: Seungsoo Lee on 07/04/2016 03:07:41
Thank you for the instructions, but why do you need the rubbing alcohol? I don't think you've used it in your procedures
Title: Re: How to make c4
Post by: Seungsoo Lee on 09/04/2016 01:14:00
I believe C4 is made by nitrating hexamine to create RDX and then mixing it with other plasticizers.
Title: Re: How to make c4
Post by: Zakster on 10/02/2017 01:30:07
I just found this, and had to make an account on here. This was just too hilarious. I was cracking up so hard. I know this is old news, but still. What an amazing read! Thank you, I needed a good laugh.
Title: How to make c4
Post by: TimothyKiz on 04/02/2019 14:51:10
I am currently doing my school science fair in school. My project has to do with electromagnetism. There is one question that I am having trouble on, though- How do two magnets make a field stronger? I have been looking all over the web for this and still am having trouble finding the answer to this. Could anyone please find a answer to this?