USA-Issued “Explosives and Blasting Procedure Manual”
Despite a Federal history of discouraging DIY explosives handbooks, the OFFICE of SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION and ENFORCEMENT is happy to host their own explosives guidebook online.
Read it here.
Read it here.
Comments
Because if you're going to blast an American landmark, we prefer that you do it safely.
Posted by Yudith on 09/11/21 at 07:13 AM
You'd be better off with a more practical copy of the "Anarchist's Cookbook Volume 1." Once you wade through the B.S. to the heart of the matter it does have some practical advice. The section on mercury fulminates is pretty good.
Posted by KDP on 09/11/21 at 09:39 AM
I have a 1920s chemistry textbook with the procedure for making mercury fulminate. It carries the advisement that only serious students should do it. No mention of fume hoods, etc.. It only results in a tiny amount (probably not enough for a detonator). I can't help but get the feeling they had an "All knowledge is dangerous" and "If they die, they die" attitude.
Posted by Phideaux on 09/11/21 at 12:36 PM
Like owning guns, Americans used to be able to purchase explosives at most hardware stores & who can count the acts that broke some law. If somebody got out of order & got to hurting others, the vigilante mob enacted swift justice. Or the law rode them down with a posse. Local cures for local problems.
Posted by John on 09/11/21 at 01:21 PM
@John: only if they were the Wrong Kind of People.
"And nothing could be done / because he was the mayor's son."
"And nothing could be done / because he was the mayor's son."
Posted by Richard Bos on 09/12/21 at 06:29 AM
Sure, John. That's why it took "only" 14 years to prosecute one Birmingham bomber, and 38 years to prosecute two more. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_Street_Baptist_Church_bombing#Prosecution_of_Robert_Chambliss
Posted by FRANK on 09/14/21 at 11:58 AM
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