By Harry Gilliam
Okay, I ran across this great game in the Washington Post (August 17, 2001). Click the link for a pdf of the article.
Without going into all the rules and gory details, the game is played by tossing a steel slug 60 feet towards a slanted mud bank in order to hit the center ring (the bull’s-eye). One of the ways you make points is by hitting a triangularly-shaped paper packet of so-called “gunpowder.” The packets are called “mechas.” More on those in a minute.
Who’d a thunk it?
It reminds me of horseshoes, kinda sorta. But mo-bettah, because something actually explodes when you hit it. And of course, as you will see in this video, because it is actually encouraged to play this wonderful sport while drinking.
(click the video to play)
Now, of course I will have to add Colombia to my short list of places to escape to once the laws and regulations start to finish their slow strangulation of our once-great country’s economy. Oops, there I go, ranting again. “Stop it, Harry!” Bad dog!
But let’s get right down to the nitty gritty, here.
First, some kindergarten pyro…
The “mechas,” the exploding Tejo targets, are said to contain “gunpowder.”
Now, gunpowder is just another name for our old fireworks friend, black powder. And black powder, my children, I can purty much guarantee you, will not explode when you lay a pack of it on a mud bank and sling a steel slug at it from 60 feet away.
Nosireebob. It will not.
The question, then, is what the hell IS inside a mecha? We all NEED to know that.
And that is what this contest is all about.
Fustest one to accurately determine two things about a mecha gets a free case of Sky Lanterns from Skylighter.
- Since it ain’t gunpowder, what is the explosive comp? Which chemicals?
- How are mechas made?
Just do your research, and answer both questions in the comments below.
The first person to answer both questions accurately wins the case of 36 Sky Lanterns.
IMPORTANTE!
You have to PROVE that your answer is correct. You can speculate and guess all you want. But guessing ain’t gonna land 36 Sky Lanterns on your humble doorstep. Nosireebob.
You will have to divulge your source for both the mecha pyro comp, and for the construction method. And show us all those sources.
The earliest comment/post on this blog who proves the answers, wins.
The judge for this contest will be Señor Harry Gilliam. All decisions by the judge are final.
CLUES:
When the mecha is hit, it often explodes and then burns.
It is not gunpowder (black powder). But calling them gunpowder would be a handy way to get around problems in shipping them… or in disguising their true composition.
The mecha’s explosive composition is a secret. That suggests to me that it may be really simple and/or that the mix may be illegal.
Check out other YouTube videos of Tejo and find close-ups of the mechas as they explode and burn. They don’t “act” like firecrackers.
Now, go get ‘em, and check back often to see what’s come up.
Has a winner been chosen or is the topic somewhat dead?
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Crack Ball Formula
Ingredient Parts by Weight
Potassium chlorate 60%
Sulfur 35%
Dextrin 2%
Powdered glass 3%
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Harry,
Do you actually know the true and accurate answer to you little contest? Do you have sources to confirm? Or are you just trying to get that information from one of us so you can sell more chemicals and kits in the future? There have been a lot of clever entries here, and plenty of research with no winners. I will withdraw my participation and swear confidentiality to you if you will privately email me your answer. On second thought, keep it a secret. I can’t wait to hear the winner announced and the correct solution with references he found. – Bill
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Richard Reply:
August 25th, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Harry has already stated he does NOT know the answer. That’s why he wants us to supply the references to back up any formulas.
The problems with this are numerous.
* The internet is by its nature a notoriously unreliable source of “facts”.
* The media (electronic or printed) is no better – they are either ignorant or in some cases deliberately trying to hide the actual chemistry.
* Professional organizations may fear the potential legal problems inherent in revealing the formula(s).
* And the legal manufacturers of the mechas are certainly not in any big hurry to reveal trade secrets or encourage competition. Seriously, imagine going to any modern fireworks manufacturer and asking them for the instructions for making their best compositions. I can hear the laughter from here. Or the sound of the phone slamming down…
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Geoff Binns-Calvey Reply:
August 25th, 2011 at 12:05 PM
But that’s the fun part about this. Somewhere, somebody here has a wife with a Colombian in-law. And he has a buddy back home, who knows a guy, and his brother runs a mecha factory, and he’ll snap some photos with his phone… That’s how this is going to resolve. Not guessing, not thru Wikipedia searches. And that’s what will make it a) finally accurate; and b) way fun. Old fashioned research. Or, as we say in Chicago, “I got a guy…”
(I still think it’s chorate and sulfur, by the way. But I’m refusing to guess anymore. Just waiting for that Columbian connection to show up.)
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Stevo Reply:
August 28th, 2011 at 2:42 AM
I gotta guy who knows a guy that works for his aunt that k ow a cousin who said that you will never ever ever find the secret formula fir his tejo’s….. Unless you know his au ts cousins sister in law by birth….
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I found a document about the tejo game with some technical details:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rxC1Ftu4_24/TlVtgVDoN-I/AAAAAAAABC4/jJukJ9xP678/s512/Tejo02b.jpg
As stated, the iron metal disc (tejo) of 2 kg weight is thrown to a box of clay where in the centre there is a metal tube (see drawings). On the rim of this steel cylinder called bocin the mechas are placed. So, when the tejo is thrown and makes contact with the paper triangular mecha and steel cylinder rim, the mecha explodes by the friction and impact. The powder has not to be that sensitive, as the impact between the steel cylinder and thrown iron disc is quite large. It is the same as the hard blow of a 2 kg steel hammer on an iron anvil. The mechas are normally not exploded by the impact of the iron tejo and soft clay contact.
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One thing I’ve noticed that has been overlooked in this discussion is the mechas are placed around and in contact with the bocin metal ring. Such that for the mecha to explode, it must be crushed between the bocin & the tejo. Contact between the tejo & just a mecha placed on the clay may be insufficient to cause detonation.
While it’s a nobel cause to try & determine the “exact” formulation, chances are it would be difficult to reproduce here in the States especially so if it involves mercury fulminate.
What would be far more useful would be for Skylighter to produce/contract a suitable facsimile for the mechas, import/fabricate the tejo’s, bocins and fabricate the boxes to both introduce the sport here in the States as well as support Columbian immigrants who wish to carry on their tradition.
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Richard Reply:
August 25th, 2011 at 11:31 AM
You obviously didn’t look at the many videos of the sport on YouTube. The mechas are NOT generally in direct contact with the metal ring, at least not to the point they would be pinched between the bocin and the disk. In fact, at the 45 degree angle of the board, the topmost mecha would never be pinched against the bocin unless it were laid on top of it.
The clay is also apparently very soft, so the composition has to be something that reacts from relatively soft impact. Given the way the metal disks sink easily into the clay in the videos, I’m not convinced that even a chlorate/sulfur mixture would work reliably w/o the addition of phosphorus, perhaps as a second layer out of direct contact with the chlorate until “mixed” by the action of the disk.
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Last week I never heard of a mecha, now I have mechas on the brain.
Another possible clue:
One of my employees is Argentinian. I told him about this task and learned a couple of things. Mecha means fuse, in argentina anyways. I know this ground has been covered. The most interesting however is matches are referred to as phosphorous. I asked him what kind of matches are most common and he said the wooden stick matches. Not the kind that are strike anywhere, the kind that you have to strike on the box.
Got a phosphorous?
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There are more formulae for the mecha powders, in particular the illegally homemade. Although the official size of the paper triangular is 6 cm, there are as small as 3 cm with different weights of powder charge.
The formula is actually quite simple: the basic two compounds in the formula are red phosphorus and potassium nitrate. The weight ratio can differ between 1 : 1 and 1: 5, but the stoichiometric ratio is 1: 3 I believe. Some sand may have been added. But it is not the dangerous Armstrong’s mixture nor are high explosives involved. However, in the illegal ones they may have spiked the basic composition with a little chlorate to raise sensitivity and sound.
Cheers, Fred
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I made an email inquiry as to the contents of Mechas to this company:
http://www.fabritejosjv.com/productos.html
I asked this question: Mensaje:
Dear Sir, I am interested to know what chemicals are in the Mechas used for Yew. Often referred to as containing gunpowder, but what makes them ignite from shock? Gunpowder does not do this alone. Thank You Very Much, David
I received this response:
Wicks if flammable chemicals continent as phosphorus.
Att.
José Valbuena.
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Richard Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 8:52 PM
And again we have evidence that there is more than one “correct” formula or technique…
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Kyle Harper Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:53 PM
Excellent use of quotations. When I was looking the formula up I ran across an article roughly translated to: A many was carrying a bucket of mechas in-between his legs on his motorcycle. They exploded killing him and injuring 8 people. They were made by mixing red phosphorus with black-powder.
I just thought a a fairly easy and safe way of making them. It would probably work to glue several tips to strike anywhere matches. These could then light some meal powder. However I take no liability on this or any ideas.
http://www.eluniversal.com.co/cartagena/nacional/un-muerto-por-mechas-de-tejo
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Andy H Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:58 PM
Kyle – You’ve stolen all of your references from David Mapes’ prior postings. Have a bit of class, friend.
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Kyle Harper Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 11:10 PM
I didn’t actually read through all of the posts and see his. However, he should have provided the reference to prove his post about the composition.
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This is from the congress of colombia:
The paper is either re or white.
The triangle has 6cm long edges.
They are filled with either white or black powder
-White powder is made of potassium chlorate, ammonium nitrate, sulfur, and powdered sugar.
-black powder is the same as above, except the powdered sugar is replaced with charcoal.
The oxidizers and fuels are mixed separately, then combined.
It is illegal to add phosphorus.
(found on page 1)
http://www.armandobenedetti.com/content/modules/webboard/management/docs/00000048_974c569bca8df5100ce3c72392d9aeee.pdf
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Chris Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 8:02 PM
I think we have a winner.
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Chris Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 8:04 PM
I’m not really sure how this is supposed to ignite upon impact, though…
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Richard Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 8:51 PM
Chlorate and sulfur?
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Kyle Harper Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:25 PM
Hi Chris, how should I go about claiming my prize? I was planning on ordering some things from Skylighter soon; I’m fine with shipping everything altogether if it would be more economical.
________________________________________________________
Long-winded musings & possible theory:
The impact sensitivity comes from the k chlorate/sulfur and the k chlorate ammonium salt. Some of the (NH4 NO3) and (K ClO3) will disproportionate into (NH4 ClO3), which is very impact sensitive. That’s why when making ammonium perchlorate it’s VERY important to make sure there is no chlorate. Ammonium chlorate dissociates into ammonia and chloric acid. This is kind of why sulfur is incompatible with Chlorates. It oxidizes into a very small, but very dangerous amount of acid.
At first when I was looking over it, it seemed like it would barely burn because you normally have to mill nitrates with charcoal/sulfur; but i think the low melting point of ammonium nitrate means it will melt and mix with the other parts.
I would also like to note the paper said there was more sugar/charcoal compared to sulfur.
Also, I suggest not trying to mix this composition with water. You will not be able to remove it from the ammonium nitrate and it will probably make the composition more dangerous. If you, some terrible unsafe reason want to store the triangles, wax paper would probably be needed to keep it useable/safe.
I research organic chemistry at Ohio state, so if anyone has any questions on the multitude of organic topics mentioned above I can probably be of some assistance.
-Kyle
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Chris Reply:
August 23rd, 2011 at 2:40 PM
haha, Sorry, it’s not my prize to give you, it’s Harry’s. Was just backing you up because your answer seems to be the most legitimate and carry the most “proof” that Harry seems to be desiring. Good luck!
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Kyle Harper Reply:
August 23rd, 2011 at 4:55 PM
Harry is pretty smart in regards to requiring “proof”. Many of the compositions make it seem like a gratuitous number of people are angry about having all of their fingers. Haha, and thanks for the backup.
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Richard Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 8:51 PM
You’re assuming they obey the law.
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Richard Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:23 PM
There’s another really serious problem here. Did anyone else spot it? Don’t they have double decomposition reactions in Colombia? I don’t think you can legislate against them – and I sure wouldn’t want to be storing any of that “white gunpowder”.
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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 a 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 explosive.
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..
The metchas contain a paste, made of potassium permanganate 67%sulfur 33% that will explode after struck by hard impact.. They may mix up the paste in a cotton base or just smear the paper,before folded.
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You can guess all you want, but like I said above–Harry has no idea what the comp is, and unless you can ‘prove it’ you ain’t getting shit. haha.
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I first thought it might be red phosphorus and potasium perchlorate, but that’s way too sensitive, and phosphorus burns are terrible. Then I considered NI3, but again, way too sensitive – wouldn’t handle that except in liquid form, when it’s essentially inert, and it takes too long to dry. So I vote for blasting caps. That could explain the burning piece of something leaving the pit on one toss. In many parts of the world, they’re easy to come by and cheap (or free, if stolen).
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The best explosive that will blow up on contact is tri nitro iodine.
some might think TNT but stablized TNT (dynamite) takes an impact of 50 lbs /sqin
to detonate.
pure TNT is very unstable but it is too dangerous to handle
My final answer is N3I (tri nitro iodine)
Shelby S. Corbin
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Ben Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:03 PM
You mean nitrogen triiodide, NI3. That’s ridiculous by the way. It gives off no flash and leaves a purple cloud of smoke, obviously not what is seen in the videos. It is also far too unstable to be used in any practical purpose, let alone a game.
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Shelby Reply:
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:56 PM
I Did not mean as the whole charge . I meant as a detenator black powder could be the explosive.
I played with this stuff in Collage and used to spread it in liquid form on a dorm room floor after a party and the next day when the hungover roomie started to sweep the floor he generally had quite a surprize.
It seemed like a plausable idea.
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Bert Reply:
August 23rd, 2011 at 9:00 PM
Usually it’s a mossaic if it’s on a floor, collages are generally hung on walls?
Seriously, it won’t ignite black powder. Try it and see- Lots of primary explosive are ineffective as igniters for even BP for the same reason.
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Kyle Harper Reply:
August 23rd, 2011 at 9:20 PM
If mechas had NI3 in them, all you would have to do is wait for a strong breeze to win.
I suggest not following people in the matters of energetic compounds if they say TNT is at all sensitive or that dynamite contains any.
Also, lololol detonate black powder.
Bert, you are a true gentleman and scholar.
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It’s NOT Tannerite. Tannerite needs either a bullet traveling at least 2000 feet per second, or a blasting cap to induce detonation.
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Well, I have made torpedoes before with potassium chlorate, antimony sulfide, sulfur, and 1% manganese dioxide and I have to say that this is probably what it is. It would also be helpful to add small gravel (such as aquarium gravel) to the composition so that when the weight would hit it, it would go off due to the mechanical grinding of the gravel pieces together.
I wouldn’t use red phosphorus. I make torpedoes out of that as well, but the expense is not necessary when a lead weight is hitting it. I think it involves Sb2S3 because of the bright-ish burning you get after it goes off. If it were just chlorate:sulfur, you wouldn’t get this bright burning. The triangles are folded the same way as they are for typical triangle crackers, which you can buy in Mexico and other freer countries (sad to say).
I bet I could easily reproduce these using the torpedo composition I have used in the past.
Joel
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1. Composition is likely potassium chlorate and sulfur. It will explode with a small amount of friction or impact and give off white smoke and also burn a bit.
2. The process to make one would be to mix up the chlorate and sulfur as a wet paste.
Then paint the paste on the paper, fold over and let dry. It should be a simple as that.
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I got as far as finding out what you already mentioned–that this is a closely-guarded trade secret. So basically what I’m gathering is that you have no idea what the comp is, and you want us to research it and come up with the answer to a trade secret so that you can do God-knows-what with it for the cost of 36 Sky Lanterns? That’s crafty, Harry, I approve.
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Fireworks lover and wanna be amateur pyro. I get a kick out of Harry’s commentary.
Could the targets used for this “sport” be related to this product? Although they are supposed to be used with 22 caliber bullets, I wonder if this or a similar product could be set off by the increased weight of a steel ball making up for the velocity of the bullet?
Note these rifle targets require an activator. I have no idea what the material is.
http://www.pyrodirect.com/ecom-prodshow/075-1005-1.html
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From: Viva Travel Guides Colombia By Paula Newton Page 434. Excerpt on Google Books.
“Tejo is a popular sport in Southern and Eastern Colombia, often played for a set price that includes a beer. Men and women play in different courts (women’s courts are smaller) where you sip on your beer awaiting your turn to throw the weight as hard as you can. In other places, though, the target is called a bocin, which has small packets of gun powder attached to it; the object is to explode these. It seems the resourceful citizens of San Augustín have found a new use for the landmines that were laid in the backcountry during the Civil War. Ca. 2, 9-40. Updated Apr 14, 2008.”
Do you still maintain there is just one formula for mechos?
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This link might help.
http://www.privatedata.com/byb/pyro/impactfirecrackers.pdf
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Harry,
http://www.semana.com/gente/tejo-europea/97073-3.aspx
This article recounts the migration of Tejo from S. America to Europe. It includes a statement that, having no factories to make Machas in Spain, they formulate it according to regulation from sulfur, phosphorus and gunpowder.
This does not give proportions, and indeed seems to me a bit strange given the addition of Sulfur. I expect that the “canons” of Tejo are published somewhere.
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Ice got my columbian connection working on it, via Nicaragua.. Might take awhile…
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It’s a simple solution to a simple mans game
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I think they are just match heads with some BP added to the mix.
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I think there is no exact formula for the “mechas”. It appears the game started becoming exciting with the spanish addition of gun powder. Everyone knows gunpowder would not explode on its own, however it appears that percussion caps were a recent (to the 1800′s) invention. I don’t think any of the people who make the triangles(mechas) mix their own chemicals. Mercury fulminate would be prohibitively expensive to buy/import, so the only logical step would be just using a bullet primer(or just the contents).
I then checked on how large a musket load was(200g average), 12g. This seems rather larger than the paper triangles that are used. This is probably scaled back to the 2-5g range. This would then leave the percussion cap, which contains mercury fulminate( and sometimes nitrocellulose, K chlorate, sulphur). I found one website stating the primers contain half a grain of mercury fulminate; eq to 32.4mg. (http://www.drumbarracks.org/Original%20Website/muzzle_loader.htm)
It appears that the cap could be left whole, as the triangles sometimes burn with NO crackling. This means no fulminate is mixed in, just one small spot for ignition.
Formula: 3.5g black powder, 1 percussion cap
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The exploding targets are probably made of Tannerite. It is composed of 90% Ammonium Nitrate and 10% 300 Mesh Aluminum. The completed mixture is quite benign and is similar to C4 explosive. It takes a blasting cap or high speed bullet impact (min. 223 Rem.) to detonate it.
Gene
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Richard Reply:
August 21st, 2011 at 1:57 AM
Can’t be. It’s right there on the Tannerite website:
“Tannerite is unique in that it is exceptionally stable when subjected to less severe forces such as a hammer blow or being dropped.”
and:
“Tannerite Company recommends using 0.5-pound (0.23 kg) preparations of the substance, which should detonate when shot by a high-powered rifle. Small caliber rim-fire or slow moving pistol ammunition will not initiate a detonation.”
[https://www.tannerite.com/frequent-questions/tannerite-exploding-targets/]
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can we say : TORPEDO’s
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Sorry if this is old.
-An excerpt from regulations passed by the Colombian Congress. I believe I posed this already in this mess of links, but just in case I did not, or did not correctly, it contains more clues. The whole document is a pdf file I found by a search in spanish and the only way I know how to share it is to click on “translate” on the google search page and cut and paste.
One thing regarding the use of the word Florescent may be referring to phosphorescent, a result of translation anomalies referring to phosphorus. See “wicks for sports”, 9th line. By now we know that wick and mecha are interchangeable in Columbia.
Next, 8th line up from the bottom, a description of “white powder”.
I have read somewhere that the mechas are made by mixing white and black powder, thus our chlorate/sulfur mix.
EXCERPT:
Pyrotechnic: All kinds of devices containing one or
substances or mixtures of several components designed to produce an effect
heat, light, sound, gas or smoke or a combination of
these effects as a result of exothermic chemical reactions
self-sustaining, potentially causing burns and fires
other materials that can burn. For purposes of this Act shall be construed
as synonyms of pyrotechnics, fireworks, games
pyrotechnics and fireworks.
Wicks for sports: Portion of paper coated with a powder
fluorescent red or white, in the form of an equilateral triangle, six
inches (0.06 m) per side, and having a blast with minimum order
to avoid booms that cause discomfort.
Pyrotechnics: Engineering the manufacturing, handling and use of
pyrotechnics.
Fireworks: Person gun and shoot fireworks at the site
of use.
White Powder: A toxic substance produced based on chlorate
potassium and ammonium nitrate, more powdered sugar and sulfur, also
known as white phosphorous and that is prohibited by law.
Black Powder: Low explosive consisting of a mixture made with
potassium chlorate and ammonium nitrate, more carbon and sulfur.
Powder: Construction or building that meets the standards and
security and is used for permanent storage or
transient explosives.
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I wonder if the host of the world tejo site is wondering what happened to get all these gringos interested in their national sport all of a sudden
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David Mapes Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 4:45 PM
Tiny, I’ve been wondering the same thing. The whole country is probably on meches lockdown!
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You say on the Crackejacks Google group that no one has guessed it correctly yet. There are a couple of references above to mercury fulmanate and another pyro mix like black powder. I would have guessed the same but according to you it’s not it.
The snap sound it makes indicates a small sample of high order primary explosive, but the smoke and burn indicates something like black powder or ordinary crushed match head powder.
The HO snap behaves exactly like lead azide, a primary explosive used in the manufacture of blasting caps to transition a shock to the base charge. Lead azide is very sensitive to heat, friction and impact. It is made by slowly mixing two saturated solutions in water and then filtration. The first saturated solution is Sodium Azide disolved in water. The second saturated mixture is Lead Nitrate disolved in water. The two are blended together slowly and crystals of Lead Azide form and settle. It has been known to explode during mixing due to long crystals forming. To prevent this a small amount of dextrin is dissolved in each beaker of water before adding anything else and before blending the 2 solutions yielding dextrinated lead azide with short smaller and safer crystals. It is a dangerous substance also sensitive to static electricity as well as friction and impact. Don’t do this at home, please! Lead azide can be mixed with black powder or other pyro mixes and will ignite it. Only a small amount of LA, about 1/2 gram is all that is needed to be mixed with a gram or two of black powder or match head powder. It is mixed wet in a slurry and applied to the paper, the paper folded into a triangle and allowed to dry. My source is from many years of research knowledge, employment in the blasting cap industry and integration of that knowledge to form my guess in this reply.
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HEGilliam Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Willy Man,
What’s missing everywhere is a good, solid link from the theories to the actual device. Something like an employee of a mecha maker, or a clear authority stating that “this” is what it is. There are some pieces of that scattered throughout the comments, but nobody in the “know” saying that this is the whole beast, and how it is made.
Personally, I think the correct answer has been given, but nobody has provided a way to confirm that. So at this point, until someone comes up with it that confirmation/proof/authoritative citation, there is simply no way to determine if it’s armstrong’s, or chlorate/sulfur, or fulminate of merc./BP, etc. And that person will be the prize winner!
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David Mapes Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 2:44 PM
I was wrong, there IS a Mechas “R” Us:
http://www.fabritejosjv.com/productos.html
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David Mapes Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 3:34 PM
Here is what looks like a newspaper article, some poor guy blew himself up transporting mechas on his motorcycle. The article states that the mechas were made of red phosphorous and gunpowder.
Use google translator to see it in english:
http://www.elespacio.com.co/index.php/judiciales-destacados/3303-iexploto-con-las-mechas
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David Mapes Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 3:42 PM
same incident, different news organization:
http://m.eltiempo.com/colombia/un-muerto-y-ocho-heridos-dejo-explosion-en-cucuta/7756241/1/home
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Sean Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 3:45 PM
Other news articles first called it a terrorist attack but then later changed.
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HEGilliam Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 3:48 PM
Hmmm… there is a Contact Us form there…
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Sean Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 3:56 PM
“El mensaje ha sido enviado, gracias!”
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David Mapes Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 4:37 PM
I sent a message earlier and got a reply. They said it was the responsibility of the company to respond and sent me to the yellow pages? Even tried to call, got somebody but they hung up when I said I was from the US. Maybe the poor guy is getting hammered for his secrets?! I have a feeling that their formulas are guarded more than here.
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Something don’t sound right. Almost everbody is saying blasting caps, but when I think of blasting caps,most have a copper or metal jacket, right?I noticed when they retreve their 10lb weights, they are bare handed. You would think all those bits of blasting caps would rip their little pinkies. Maybe not. What do you think?
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HEGilliam Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Where in any of the pix or videos do you see a blasting cap? Do you really think blasting caps would be used in a National Sport played by women, children, men, and even very old people? Think, man, think.
But is the blasting cap a clue? I think so. Can you see what it is?
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I have learned from my uncle (the family guns and targets expert) that exploding targets are made of tannerite. Tannerite is a highly impact sensitive, relatively cheap, and very easy to make flash powder. The ratio for tannerite is:
3 parts aluminum prills
1 part powdered ammonium nitrate
I tried to find videos on how it burns, but I couldn’t find anything.
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HEGilliam Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Did you learn from your uncle that ALL exploding targets are Tannerite (a patented mix, made only by Dan Tanner)? Have you considered asking Dan Tanner if he supplying the Colombians with Tannerite? What makes you think this is flash powder? Aluminum “prills”?!!? C’mon, Ian… do the work…
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Harry,
My Man! Good talking to you at the Last shoot!
OK, After looking at a cumulative Hours worth of Sploding “Mechas”, and I have not gone back to read any further posts! In several of the videos I watched IE; Lonelyplanet.com, The proprietors all mentioned Mercury, In one case one gentleman said “It’s the Mercury that makes it dangerous, Very Dangerous Sein-Noir! I would have to say that good ‘Ol Mecury Fulminate makes up the contact “splosive” part of the Mechas, While some “ordinaire BP” Meal probably makes up the burning/fizzing/smoking portion of the Mecha…… A simple double Layer folded Triangle made outta red construction paper(one pocket for the fulminate and a loosely filled second Fold/Pocket would do well to contain and barely confine the BP. I think the slow burn could be attributed to the moist clay getting the Packet damp. The fact they have very poor control on Merury (and other soluble Metalic salts/”soft metal” pollution in that country, speaks volumes to me, on a simple to implement, popular National Passtime.
By the way, to those who may be conjuring up HOW to conjur up some Mercury Fulminate, It is in fact a real deal high order explosive. best handled gingerly, If ever handled, always in very VERY small batches in its wet state only!! When this stuff drys, it is extremely sensitive to both shock and friction. In closing, In Classic Harry Gilliam Fleagal,Beagle,Legal-ease Don’t say we did’nt warn you!!
I think My thoughts will flesh out Harry, so go right ahead and send that case of Sky Lanterns, Its Birthday week for my sons and I!!
Antony “Bro Bear” Charles
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HEGilliam Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 11:42 AM
Antong,
I like your theory, but where’s your proof that it is a combo of the two compounds? 36 Sky Lanterns are sitting on the floor beside my desk positively vibrating with excitement at the prospect of being released to soar over Hampton Roads! I think they are positively pre-orgasmic.
Harry
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its mercury and gunpowder.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMFTzaHJaKo
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HEGilliam Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 11:46 AM
Okay, mercury does not explode. Mixed with gunpowder it does not explode. The video also says “special gunpowder.” What is that?
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Ok, it is Mercury Fulminate added to Blackpowder. The Mercury Fulminate is shock sensitive so when the Tejo lands on the Mecha it provides enough energy to make it combust, this combustion of the Mercury Fulminate then provides the ignition source for the Blackpowder. This combination produces the slight bang then thick smoke from the Blackpowder, showing all that the Tejo hit the spot. The last thing to work out is the casing and from the pictures I have seen (in sources). You and I can safely asumme that these are made just like polumnas. Because the polumna originated from the same country as this sport it would make sense that they would use the same technique to construct the Mecha.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMFTzaHJaKo
You can see in this video the English guy translates what the OFFICAL Tajo referee is saying and he says it is a special gunpowder containg mercury so there is proof that it is mercury fulminate and it contains the blackpowder as well as there is smoke in the video above and mercury fulminate alone produces little smoke.
http://i44.tinypic.com/34snned.jpg
http://images.suite101.com/1053678_com_tejo.jpg
http://images.travelpod.com/users/richandhan/1.1274601307.the-game-of-tejo.jpg
http://seecolombia.travel/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/2060965143_2d430af6c2_m.jpg
http://blogs.bgsu.edu/spiroth/files/2011/08/tejo.png
As you can see in the above photos the Mechas all look just like polumnas so that means they are made the same as it is a simple way of containing explosives
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HEGilliam Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 11:51 AM
<>
The American says/translates: “mercury and special gunpowder.”
What is “special gunpowder?” In a translated thread here, there is a long thread of people asking about gun powder, black powder, and white gunpowder. It is clear that there are either numerous Colombian “versions” of gunpowder, or more likely lots of misinformation about what gunpowder is.
How do you know that “special gunpowder” is basically unspecial black powder?
H
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Bert Reply:
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:45 AM
Mercury fulminate alone is not dependable for igniting black powder. Classic ignition mixes will contain chlorate, Sulfur or Antimony sulfide as well.
Early accounts of Mercury fulminate include experimenters exploding charges of MF on top of, or under BP with no result but scattering the grains of BP about.
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Harry, I’m going out on a limb here:
No mecha is the same, there is no real answer. However you can do it, make a triangle thing, 6cm on a side, filled with whatever will ignite with impact, and go “POP”. It could be a firecracker with a short fuse and match heads or something more sophisticated. The paper it’s wrapped in could be what is available, colored to be a visible target. No “Mechas “R” Us”. Perhaps the better Tejo courts have the best private pyros.
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HEGilliam Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 12:18 PM
C’mon David, you know there’s no fuse on that thang!
We heard that these came down from los Indios. And that originally, you played by chunking a chunka gold at a golden triangle (aha! the source of the shape! vs. the “stolen” shape of the triangular firecracker). So you hurled something heavy at a bright, shiny object. Then we heard that the Spanish substituted a box of gunpowder. This I doubt, but I have not yet had the opportunity to disprove that by hurling my own 5 lb. chunk of gold at a box of gunpowder. Of course, the Spanish gunpowder may have been different than ours, but history does not support that, either. Then we heard that in the mining camps, the predecessor to today’s mechas were blasting caps. Having spent a delightful year of my life playing with blasting caps in a land far away, I can believe that miners, who employed (both paid and unpaid los Indios as laborers) with nothing but cervezas and a box of caps may would absolutely do this. Hell, everyone here would, right?
So, 100 years ago and earlier we have a target bright enuff to be seen at 60 paces. We now have the introduction of a target which exploded, and which *could* (Willyman, help me here…) have been made of fulminate of mercury — my guess is that historically caps have been made from a number of sensitive high explosives–and don’t forget that early dynamite was nitro-based, so was notoriously not that hard to set off.
So, cut to the 21st Century. Why then would the paper triangle replica of los Indios’s gold one be so bright colored? Red phosphorous? Nahhh… Red P is NOT fluorescent in color and brightness. Wouldn’t it simply make sense to color them bright, so you can see the little thangs at a great, cerveza-fogged distance?
Are all mechas the same? Waaal, my guess is yes and no. My guess is that the supplier (or suppliers) all use the same stuff to make ‘em. But we have evidence that the amount of something is varied in them to reduce the noise for various reasons. So, my guess is that unless there is a significant homemade mecha thing going on, or many different suppliers, that the comp or comps are all the same.
What about that comp? Well, there is certainly evidence that fulminate of mercury is involved. “Mercury” is mentioned a coupla times. And, we do have a report of someone who was killed or wounded from an explosion of a bunch of mechas being transported. MF is certainly powerful enough to do that. MF will definitely explode when hit. But why mercury fulminate? Is it an extrapolation of the old miners’ blasting cap; “hey” the miners used blasting caps containing MF–let’s just put some MF in a paper packet.” Hmmmm…
“Gun powder” is mentioned. But I caution you–even Skylighter’s customers call several things gunpowder up here in the good ole NewNited States–for example, we get calls all the time from people who think they are using black powder (gunpowder), when in fact they are using smokeless powder or some other BP substitute.
But why BOTH powders? I am pretty sure I know an important part of the reason, and I have not seen anyone metion it. And I think it is important to the understanding of the comp.
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Mecha close up, showing an interesting fold and something red, lipstick-whatever?, smeared on to make a visible target. Scroll 3/4 down on the page:
http://www.pilos.com.co/ciendias/colombia-destino-turistico-simbolos-mapa-hidrografia/comment-page-1/
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More Clues: (I hope these “translated” links are working)
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.matotuonda.com.ar/archives/000165.php%3Fpage%3D1&ei=URFPTo3ZJ6vZiAKGwZVt&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDAQ7gEwAg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtejo%2Bmeches%2Bcomposici%25C3%25B3n%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3D0tG%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26prmd%3Divns
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HEGilliam Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 12:21 PM
Notice how many different spins there are on gun/black/white powder.
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Okay here’s the fomula- Take 20 parts pottasium chlorate,make in a slurry w/ gum water, then add red phosphorus 8parts.Make another slurry w/ 1 part sulfur plus1 part calcium carbonate. Mix both slurrys together,put mixture on a piece of tissue paper, about 10 grams, Place another tissue on top-let dry-There you have it.
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HEGilliam Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 12:22 PM
Probably would do the trick. Now how do you know that’s what they’re made of?
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James Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 1:09 PM
I think it’s this simple toy cap formula,because it’s easy to make, farily safe, by putting it together while wet then letting it dry. Maybe adding some glass or sand for more friction. By the way this formula came the book you gave out on one of your other deals.-THe Chemistry of Powder and Explosives,by Tenny L. Davis-Published 1943
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HEGilliam Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 1:18 PM
Good that you think that. Now what’s the connection to Tejo?
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James Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 2:44 PM
Okay- You get three half sober people,[for your team] thenyou throw this metal chunk to see who gets close to the center or explodes the target.Then you get points for that,first team that gets 27 points wins. Yaaah
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From “A gringa in Bogotá: living Colombia’s invisible war” By June Carolyn Erlick, referenced at http://books.google.com/books?id=sSwkDWg04G8C&pg=PA85&lpg=PA85&dq=tejo+blasting&source=bl&ots=t2IkNl9h0B&sig=MRCWHZ74QHd4Znf8yeg7Hvjy7oU&hl=en&ei=UuBOTsW6OqausALw1Jn1Bg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=tejo%20blasting&f=false.
“Tejo, a modern version of the indigenous sport turmeque, is played in the countryside and poor barrios throughout Columbia. The game of tejo is quite possibly the only sport that involves explosives. Similar to American horseshoes, participants toss disks against a distant target that contains blasting caps. To win the game, a player must set off more blasting caps than his or her opponent.”
And another (from http://tonydunnell.suite101.com/traditional-sports-colombian-tejo-a140526.html):
“The inclusion of the explosive mechas was perhaps a result of the game being played in mining camps where blasting caps where incorporated into the target area.
Read more at Suite101: Tejo – Ancient & Traditional Colombian Sport: Ancient Sports – Tejo Throwing Game in Colombia Sports Culture | Suite101.com http://tonydunnell.suite101.com/traditional-sports-colombian-tejo-a140526.html#ixzz1VWhV4vdi”
So, sorry, that’s all I got, and I’m getting tired of repeating myself and tracking down the same results. Assuming there is only one formula or technique used for making mechas, it utilizes mercury fulminate as the explosive and a simple triangle cracker design to act as a target and perhaps hold some secondary flammable composition.
So – then, the question is how blasting caps are made in Columbia. And I think that is going to be a proprietary formula that is based on mercury fulminate. Etc. ad nauseum. There is no “one formula”, Harry – you’re chasing a snipe.
My opinion that there is not a single method of construction is reenforced by the references to different sized mechos:
“Youth leagues practise on the weekends, with smaller amounts of gunpowder and minimal adult supervision.” [http://www.lonelyplanet.com/colombia/travel-tips-and-articles/12948]
“Smaller courts measuring roughly 15 feet in distance and mechas containing less gunpowder are available for women, children, or foreigners” [http://internationalbusiness.wikia.com/wiki/Colombia_Tejo]
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HEGilliam Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 12:30 PM
Rich,
The Chinese use silver fulminate for snappers. But the amounts used are TINY. What do you think it would look like if a 6cm triangle of mercury fulminate exploded?
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Richard Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 8:37 PM
I never said it was FILLED. In fact, several of the videos on Youtube show the mechas being struck on an edge and failing to explode. In any case, as I pointed out in another reference, they are different sizes depending on the intended use. And even on Youtube, some of those detonations are LOUD!
There is no single formula. We have references to phosphorus with what is probably a chlorate-based BP analog, and other equally “official” accounts of mercury content. Like anywhere else regulations or enforcement are lax and money tight, people use what they have.
Now we have accounts of someone killed by carrying a bundle on a bicycle, and bystanders seriously injured by the explosion. These are NOT “snappers”.
And mercury fulminate is not the same as silver fulminate, unless YOU can find me a reference for routine use of SF in commercial blasting caps.
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The mechas are made from Armstrong’s mixture..the cheapest friction/impact-sensitive composition available. It’s surmised that the adaptation of the original game to include mechas was done in mining camps, using mercury fulminate blasting caps.
As neat as it would be, no, you’re not going to be able to sell a kit on your site, Harry. The safety-fakers have ruined the country for all of us.
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Andy H Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 8:55 PM
David Mapes – You’ve got it right there. “Wicks for sports”..mechas translates to “wick” in English. The “6 inches on a side” translation of 0.06m is incorrect, but corresponds instead to 6cm (on a side), which is the correct dimensions of the mechas. The “powder, flourescent red or white” is referring to red or white phosphorus.
The Dimensions are listed here:
http://tonydunnell.suite101.com/traditional-sports-colombian-tejo-a140526.html
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HEGilliam Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Red P’s color is closer to that of a dark red iron oxide–it ain’t fluourescent in brightness.
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Andy H Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 8:18 PM
The translated article David Mapes linked to last night (and appears to have been deleted), says “rojo fosforescente o blanco”. Google translated it literally (incorrectly). It is referring to red or white phosphorus. The article continues, describing the mechas as “6cm (0.06m) on a side”, which describes the standard dimension for the mechas.
The untranslated article is here: http://www.armandobenedetti.com/content/modules/webboard/management/docs/00000048_974c569bca8df5100ce3c72392d9aeee.pdf
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