How To Make Electric Matches (Model Rocket Engine Igniters) - STEP BY STEP!

Learn how to easily make matches that trigger using electricity, electric matches that are ideal for triggering model rocket engines for hobbyists, or to help people safely light holiday fireworks from a distance to prevent injuries. A well explained, step by step video. For the same results, use the same materials shown in the video. Enjoy!

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[ProjectFarm]

Enjoyed the video! Looking forward to your next one!!

[keithking]

THIS IS ONE CLASS LITTLE PROJECT FOR LIGHTING FIREWORKS SAFELY, JUST LIKE YOU SAID. THANK YOU FOR THIS..

[MrKbtor]

This was frikkin awesome! I'm doing a rocket project for my class (extra-curricular). I tried everything on YT but it all failed until this. Thanks!

[charlieboutin]

Great information! I could have used this in the 70s when I built and launched rockets nonstop for years. I still have a couple..launched them with my son a few years ago.🙂 Love rockets! 🚀❤️ Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year!

[TheTubejunky]

xmas bulbs filled with your choice of powder works great also! just don't break the filament.
A bread tie wire and a 9v work also.

[winstonsmith]

As an experiment, instead of using non-energetic Gum Arabic as a binder, use dissolved ping pong balls which are made of nitrocellulose to produce an energetic binder. Instructions on how to make that are on the internet.

[Sylvan_dB]

I never considered how easy it would be to make my own. Thanks!

[JT-lqyd]

Nice video!
In the 90s my dad hired a guy to move some stones and this would have come in handy then, he ran like he was being chased by a hungry lion right before the movement took place.

[williamkauffman]

Thanks nice info for my fireworks display I am building

[Yrouel]

I used to make these but with strike anywhere matches, in that case you can use acetone to soften the match head and make a paste to then put on the wire (I used thin copper wires).
Yes strike anywhere is a bit more dangerous but as long as you don't work with too much material at once it's fine and of course other safety protocols must be in place like having the rest of the matches well away as the flammables like the acetone

[sapelesteve]

Very interesting & I have never seen anything like this before now. Well done! Happy Holidays! 👍🎄

[HelmutDoork]

Probably doesn't burn as hot, but another DIY igniter I've seen recommended on rocketry forums is to use nail polish with nitrocellulose in it on the part of the igniter that goes into the rocket engine.
While model rocket engines come with igniters, it's always good to have a few DIY spares in case one or more of the igniters that came with the engines doesn't work.

[Conservator.]

I suppose that if you want to use it to light fireworks you could also just wrap the resistive wire around the fuse.

[pulesjet]

Never used the magnesium powder.. Good idea.

[aleksandrbmelnikov]

I always made them with steel wool. Most households have those in a cabinet under the kitchen sink.

[robsrocketry]

Great video. Can you suggest a thicker gauge wire for use with a 18V power supply?

[WaschyNumber]

You can use instead off resisteance wire, thin copper wire in form of a spring 😊 that's getting glowing red and can ignite matches also.
It's like a light bulb igniter 😊

[Maxym-skzq]

I'm a bit concerned about the delay between applying voltage and ignition. Is there any way to make it faster?

[drubradley]

When I was a kid, it never failed, I would either forget the igniters or not have any.. So, the next best thing, I would strip fine stranded wire, and pull out a 2 to 3 inch lone single stand, and in the middle, of that length of single stand of wire, I would wrap about at least 4 turns to 8 turns like a spring in the center section, the coil's diameter was about (0.015" to 0.025") would be wrapped around a sewing needle or thumb tack and stuff it into the rocket nozzle and tape the leads to the rocket and connect the gator clips, and lift off... the inductance in the coil would super induce concentrated current in the spring area or coil area.. good to go.. For 10 years after the first, I never purchased an igniter ... Please note, remove the needle or thumb tack, the coil is what is called an open air coil.... Good luck...

[bigcrazyal]

so theoretically, I could use a 4 cue module from a biluscon firing system and fire off these igniters as the module uses 4AA batteries? I'm always looking for ways to save on my fireworks show, and e-matches can get costly. Thanks in advance.