Caving: Micro Blaster

[L Roebuck]

Has anyone tried the Micro Blaster II yet?

www.micro-blaster.com/

" The BMS MICRO-BLASTER is a compact and affordable low energy demolition system utilizing a fast burning proprietary gas producing cartridge to crack rock and masonry. Operated remotely with a 25 foot pull cord the MICRO-BLASTER is safe and easy to use when common sense safety precautions are used. Because of its low energy output this system can be utilized in almost any environment. Requiring only a 5/16 inch diameter hole, 9 inches deep, the system can be employed without the need of expensive large hole drilling systems. "

[Sharon Faulkner]

This looks similar to the ignition box Terry Ragon built a few years ago. His runs off of nine-volt batteries though. Here is the link to TR's article on the ignition box.

www.terry35366.org/articles/ignition_box2.0.htm

[L Roebuck]

TR's Ignition Box is a great article. Thanks.

Hummmm......wonder what other tools are available that would be helpful with cave passage modifications?

[NZcaver]

nssmembersforum said:

This looks similar to the ignition box Terry Ragon built a few years ago. His does run off of nine-volt batteries though. Here is the link to TR's article on the ignition box.

www.terry35366.org/articles/ignition_box2.0.htm

Yep, micro-blasting sure is fun. ;D

But there's one key difference between the BMS setup, and the ignition box link. The latter is initiated electrically, rather than mechanically/physically. Similar result, but I think someone once told me the legal mumbo-jumbo is a whole different ballgame - being that you're operating a remotely-detonated explosive device, rather than just "firing" a cartridge. In this day and age, such things might get you into trouble.

That said - if you're going to use one anyway, a better ignition box would probably be a Claymore Clacker. These were designed to detonate Claymore mines. No batteries required, just click the handle a few times and it generates a nice charge. They're also small, light, and pretty much "bombproof" - being army and all.