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Explosive Booby Traps: Basic Operations
DISCLAIMER:
The ZSDW, WetPaint, and AlexHigginbotham cannot be held responsible for the misuse or abuse of any of the information presented in this article. This article is for educational purposes only and the information should never be applied by anyone at any time. Most of this information is copyrighted by the United States Department of Defense and does not belong to AlexHigginbotham, ZSDW, or Wetpaint.
ATTENTION:
If you ever decide to set a booby trap or come across one in your travels, remove or disarm it when you no longer intend to use it. There are still places in the world where dying to an old war mine is still a legitimate concern. Please take all measures to prevent harm to innocent people. You would want them to do the same for you.
INTRODUCTION
Q: Why are booby traps useful in a survival environment?
A: Everyone sees a booby trap as a method of killing for maiming someone, which isn't always the case. Booby traps can be used as alarms, a method or hunting, defense of an area, practical jokes, or as a fear tactic to divert would be assailants. BT's could very well ensure the safety of you and all your gear in the event that you are put in a life or death situation.
Q: Are BT's legal to use?
A: The easy answer is no. The complicated answer is, sort of. Let me explain.
If you set up a BT that has the potential to injure or kill, even on your own property, you will be liable for the damage caused to any individuals or their property even if the intruder is committing a crime. If you rig a bag of hammers over one of your windows and someone breaks into your home with the intent to rape your wife, skin your children, and torture you to death, you will be liable for any damages caused to said intruder in the event that he triggers the trap. Stupid? Yes. That's just how the United States judicial system works.
I said before that there was a possibility of BT's being legal, and I was telling the truth. BT's can be legally used in warfare, but the Geneva Convention strictly governs how they can be used. The following is quoted from the Geneva Convention.
"Without prejudice to the rules of international law applicable in armed conflict relating to treachery and perfidy, it is prohibited in all circumstances to use:
a. any booby-trap in the form of an apparently harmless portable object which is specifically designed and constructed to contain explosive material and to detonate when it is disturbed or approached, or
b. booby-traps which are in any way attached to or associated with:
1. internationally recognized protective emblems, signs or signals;
2. sick, wounded or dead persons;
3. burial or cremation sites or graves;
4. medical facilities, medical equipment, medical supplies or medical transportation;
5. children's toys or other portable objects or products specially designed for the feeding, health, hygiene, clothing or education of children;
6. food or drink;
7. kitchen utensils or appliances except in military establishments, military locations or military supply depots;
8. objects clearly of a religious nature;
9. historic monuments, works of art or places or worship which constitute the cultural or spiritual heritage of peoples;
10. animals or their carcasses.
It is prohibited in all circumstances to use any booby-trap which is designed to cause superfluous injury or necessary suffering."
If you can abide by those laws and guidelines, you can legally use BT's. In the event of a national, local, or global state of emergency, I would be more worried about someone trying to rob or kill me than someone arresting me. The choice is yours to make, but I implore you to use good judgment before deciding to use BT's.
Q: How many different types of BT's exist?
A: The possibilities are only limited to your imagination. This is one of the few times where the phrase you were fed as a child, "If you can dream it, you can do it" applies.
3. Pull frictionThe ZSDW, WetPaint, and AlexHigginbotham cannot be held responsible for the misuse or abuse of any of the information presented in this article. This article is for educational purposes only and the information should never be applied by anyone at any time. Most of this information is copyrighted by the United States Department of Defense and does not belong to AlexHigginbotham, ZSDW, or Wetpaint.
ATTENTION:
If you ever decide to set a booby trap or come across one in your travels, remove or disarm it when you no longer intend to use it. There are still places in the world where dying to an old war mine is still a legitimate concern. Please take all measures to prevent harm to innocent people. You would want them to do the same for you.
INTRODUCTION
Q: Why are booby traps useful in a survival environment?
A: Everyone sees a booby trap as a method of killing for maiming someone, which isn't always the case. Booby traps can be used as alarms, a method or hunting, defense of an area, practical jokes, or as a fear tactic to divert would be assailants. BT's could very well ensure the safety of you and all your gear in the event that you are put in a life or death situation.
Q: Are BT's legal to use?
A: The easy answer is no. The complicated answer is, sort of. Let me explain.
If you set up a BT that has the potential to injure or kill, even on your own property, you will be liable for the damage caused to any individuals or their property even if the intruder is committing a crime. If you rig a bag of hammers over one of your windows and someone breaks into your home with the intent to rape your wife, skin your children, and torture you to death, you will be liable for any damages caused to said intruder in the event that he triggers the trap. Stupid? Yes. That's just how the United States judicial system works.
I said before that there was a possibility of BT's being legal, and I was telling the truth. BT's can be legally used in warfare, but the Geneva Convention strictly governs how they can be used. The following is quoted from the Geneva Convention.
"Without prejudice to the rules of international law applicable in armed conflict relating to treachery and perfidy, it is prohibited in all circumstances to use:
a. any booby-trap in the form of an apparently harmless portable object which is specifically designed and constructed to contain explosive material and to detonate when it is disturbed or approached, or
b. booby-traps which are in any way attached to or associated with:
1. internationally recognized protective emblems, signs or signals;
2. sick, wounded or dead persons;
3. burial or cremation sites or graves;
4. medical facilities, medical equipment, medical supplies or medical transportation;
5. children's toys or other portable objects or products specially designed for the feeding, health, hygiene, clothing or education of children;
6. food or drink;
7. kitchen utensils or appliances except in military establishments, military locations or military supply depots;
8. objects clearly of a religious nature;
9. historic monuments, works of art or places or worship which constitute the cultural or spiritual heritage of peoples;
10. animals or their carcasses.
It is prohibited in all circumstances to use any booby-trap which is designed to cause superfluous injury or necessary suffering."
If you can abide by those laws and guidelines, you can legally use BT's. In the event of a national, local, or global state of emergency, I would be more worried about someone trying to rob or kill me than someone arresting me. The choice is yours to make, but I implore you to use good judgment before deciding to use BT's.
Q: How many different types of BT's exist?
A: The possibilities are only limited to your imagination. This is one of the few times where the phrase you were fed as a child, "If you can dream it, you can do it" applies.
BOOBY TRAP 101
A BT consists of a main charge, firing device, standard base (not always used), and a detonator. Another item, the universal destructor, is an adapter for installing a firing device assembly in a loaded projectile or bomb to make an improvised BT. Also, firing device assemblies are often attached to the main charge by means of a length of detonating cord. Knowledge of how to make or having access to explosives greatly improves the effectiveness of a BT, as most examples listed in this guide require explosives of some sort.
A BT firing chain is a series of initiations beginning with a small quantity of highly sensitive explosives and ending with a comparatively large quantity of insensitive explosives. 
1. Pressure
I.E. Weight of foot starts explosive action
2. Pull
I.E. Lifting the souvenir starts explosive action
TRIGGER 101
There are many methods of triggering a BT. You can use your imagination to come up with new ideas, but here are a few that have been widely used in uniformed warfare. 1. Pressure
I.E. Weight of foot starts explosive action
I.E. Lifting the souvenir starts explosive action
3. Pressure release
I.E. Moving the stone starts explosive action
I.E. Moving the stone starts explosive action
4. Tension release
I.E. Raising lower window starts explosive action
I.E. Raising lower window starts explosive action
Now that we know the methods of setting up our trigger, we can discuss the different types of triggers that can be universally used for any method of setting our BT.
1. Electric
I.E. Removal of wedge between contacts closes circuit and fires electric cap
1. Electric
I.E. Removal of wedge between contacts closes circuit and fires electric cap
2. Mechanical
I.E. Released striker, driven by it's spring, fires percussion cap
I.E. Released striker, driven by it's spring, fires percussion cap
I.E. Pulling the chemical pellet through the chemical compound causes flash that fires the detonator
4. Pressure friction
I.E. Pressure on top of the striker forces its cone shaped end into the phosphorus and glass mixture in the mating sleeve, causing a flash that fires the detonator
I.E. Pressure on top of the striker forces its cone shaped end into the phosphorus and glass mixture in the mating sleeve, causing a flash that fires the detonator
5. Chemical
I.E. Pressure on top breaks the vial, freeing the sulfuric acid to mix with the flash powder, producing a flame that fires the detonator.
I.E. Pressure on top breaks the vial, freeing the sulfuric acid to mix with the flash powder, producing a flame that fires the detonator.
6. Chemical delay
I.E. Crushing the ampule releases the chemical to corrode the retaining wire, freeing the striker to fire the detonator. The delay is determined by the time needed for the chemical to corrode the retaining wire.
MATERIALS REQUIRED
I.E. Crushing the ampule releases the chemical to corrode the retaining wire, freeing the striker to fire the detonator. The delay is determined by the time needed for the chemical to corrode the retaining wire.
MATERIALS REQUIRED
Now that you have the knowledge of the components required to make a functioning explosive BT, we can discuss the rare materials required for making your BT work. As mentioned in the disclaimer, this is for educational purposes only and no one should try to make or use any of these compounds under any circumstances, ever.
ACETONE PEROXIDE
Used as a main charge
Initiate charge with spark
EXPLOSIVES TO AVOID!
The following list of explosives have been found by professionals to be overly dangerous to be created in a field environment. Avoid these compounds at all costs.
The following list of explosives have been found by professionals to be overly dangerous to be created in a field environment. Avoid these compounds at all costs.
- Ammonia hydroxide + iodine: EXTREMELY impact sensitive. Can detonate due to loud noises.
- Ammonium nitrate + any chlorate: May spontaneously ignite. Spark and friction sensitive.
- Ammonium nitrate + copper powder: May spontaneously ignite. Friction sensitive.
- Nitrosugars: EXTREMELY likely to spontaneously detonate.
- Potassium chlorate + aluminum: EXTREMELY spark and friction sensitive.
- Potassium chlorate + magnesium: EXTREMELY spark and friction sensitive.
- Potassium chlorate + red phosphorus: May spontaneously ignite. EXTREMELY spark and friction sensitive.
- Potassium chlorate + sugar: EXTREMELY spark sensitive. Static electricity will ignite it.
- Potassium chlorate + sulfur: May spontaneously ignite. EXTREMELY spark and friction sensitive.
Glossary:
u.b.w -- Units by weight
p.b.w -- Parts by volume. Only listed when all chemicals used are liquid.
u.b.w -- Units by weight
p.b.w -- Parts by volume. Only listed when all chemicals used are liquid.
SULFURIC ACID
Used for chemical triggers
ITEMS NEEDEDUsed for chemical triggers
- Dead car battery
- Cutting tool (saw, sharp knife, etc.)
- Filter paper
- Acid-resistant container
- Glass pan (optional)
- Remove the top of the car battery.
- Pour the contents of the power cells into the acid-resistant container. Small bits of lead will most likely be present in the solution, so under these circumstances the fluid needs to be poured through the filter paper. The now filtered solution is sulfuric acid.
- (OPTIONAL) If you wish to increase the concentration of the sulfuric acid, the acid can be poured into a glass pan and boiled under very low heat. Highly concentrated sulfuric acid will pour slightly faster than clean motor oil.
ACETONE PEROXIDE
Used as a main charge
Initiate charge with spark
There is relatively little information readily available on acetone peroxide. The material is a reasonably effective primary explosive, however, it is highly volatile. Because of its volatile properties, it should always be store in an airtight container.
ITEMS NEEDED
ITEMS NEEDED
- Hydrogen peroxide (6% solution)/25.5 u.b.w---25 p.b.v
- Sulfuric acid/2.25 u.b.w---1.25 p.b.v
- Acetone/12 u.b.w---15.15 p.b.v
- Water
- Ice
- Salt
- 1 acid-resistant container
- Large pan
- Glass thermometer
- Filter paper
- Stirring rod (glass or ceramic)
- Pour the acetone into the acid-resistant container.
- Gently stir the hydrogen peroxide into the acetone.
- Fill the pan with a mixture of ice, water, and a little salt. Place the container with the acetone/peroxide mixture into the pan of ice water and cool the mixture to 41*F(5*C). A freezer may be used instead of the ice water bath.
- While continuing to cool the mixture, slowly (1 drop every 10 seconds) stir the sulfuric acid into the acetone/peroxide mixture. This will cause the temperature of the mixture to rise. If the mixture approaches 50*F(10*C), stop adding sulfuric acid and continue stirring until the mixture cools to 41*F(5*C).
- After the last of the sulfuric acid has been added, continue to stir the mixture for 5 minutes.
- The mixture must be allowed to stand in a cold place for 24 hours. The mixture may be left in the ice bath or placed in a refrigerator for this time period.
- Crystals of acetone peroxide will settle out of the mixture. Filter these crystals out of the mixture using the filter paper.
- Slowly pour 5 u.b.w of COLD water over the crystals to wash away impurities.
- To dry the material, place the acetone peroxide in an acid-resistant container and set the container in a pan of hot, 176*(80*C) water. WARNING: This material is a primary explosive---handle very gently.
- Store in an acid-resistant/airtight container.
AMMONIUM POWDER
Used as detonation or booster charge
Initiate charge with blasting cap, squib, or fuse
Used as detonation or booster charge
Initiate charge with blasting cap, squib, or fuse
This explosive contains ammonium nitrate and therefore must not be allowed to come in contact with copper or brass. Ammonium powder can be used as both a high and low explosive. When used as a high explosive, a booster charge of at least 500g (1 lb.) should be used. Also, when this material is used as a high explosive, it should not be tightly packed, as this makes the material very difficult to detonate. Lastly, the finer the ammonium nitrate and charcoal are powdered, the better the explosive will work.
ITEMS NEEDED
ITEMS NEEDED
- Ammonium nitrate/8.5 u.b.w
- Wood charcoal/1.5 u.b.w
- 1 container(heat OR acid-resistant OR plastic)
- 1 wooden stirring rod
- Powder the ammonium nitrate. Use any convenient method. Crushing it between bricks works fairly well.
- Powder the charcoal. The same method can be used as with the ammonium nitrate but if you are using the same items to powder the materials, MAKE SURE that they have been cleaned thoroughly between uses.
- Place the ammonium nitrate and the charcoal into the container and mix gently but thoroughly. For the sake of safety, do not mix more than 250g (8oz) at a time. The more finely the powdered the ammonium nitrate and charcoal are, the more effective the explosive will be.
- Store the mixture in a waterproof container.
ASTROLITE A
Used as a main charge
Initiate charge with 28g (1oz) booster charge or blasting cap
Used as a main charge
Initiate charge with 28g (1oz) booster charge or blasting cap
Astrolite A is an extremely powerful explosive. Although it can be detonated with a blasting cap, a 28g (1oz) booster charge greatly improves performance.
ITEMS NEEDED
ITEMS NEEDED
- Ammonium nitrate/2 u.b.w
- Hydrazine (anhydrous)/1 u.b.w
- Aluminum (powdered or flaked)/0.6 u.b.w
- 1 acid-resistant container
- 1 stirring rod (glass or ceramic)
- Pour the ammonium nitrate into the acid-resistant container.
- Slowly pour a small amount of hydrazine into the ammonium nitrate. This will cause the mixture to bubble quite a bit, so wait until the bubbling stops before adding more hydrazine. Continue this process until all the hydrazine had been added to the mixture. WARNING: The fumes from this process are toxic.
- Gently stir the mixture for 5 minutes.
- Gently stir the aluminum powder into the mixture.
- The explosive is now ready for use. Store in an acid-resistant container.
BLACK POWDER
Used as propellant or incendiary charge
Initiate charge with squib, fuse, or blasting cap
Used as propellant or incendiary charge
Initiate charge with squib, fuse, or blasting cap
Black powder is a rather low-powered explosive, more suitable for use as a propellant or an incendiary than as an explosive charge. But, if tightly contained, it will work reasonably well. Also, the finer you granulate the powder the more explosive it will be, so use the finest screen available to granulate the powder.
ITEMS NEEDED
10. The powder can be made into finer grains (if necessary) by spreading a TEASPOONFUL of the powder at a time onto a flat surface then gently crushing it. Be sure to keep the rest of the powder well away from the powder that is being crushed in case of ignition.
11. Store in a waterproof container.
ITEMS NEEDED
- Potassium nitrate/7.9 u.b.w. --OR-- sodium nitrate/7.8 u.b.w.
- Wood charcoal (powdered)/1.5 u.b.w.
- Sulfur (powdered)/1 u.b.w.
- Methyl alcohol/10 u.b.w. --OR-- Isopropyl alcohol(70%+ pure)/10 u.b.w. --OR-- Ethyl alcohol (70%+ pure/10 u.b.w.)
- Water/5 u.b.w.
- 1 heat-resistant container
- 1 wooden stirring rod
- Screen (metal or stiff plastic) with .25 inch or smaller openings. Screen should be at least 6x12 inch.
- Cloth (shirt,sheet, etc.) at least 18x18 inches
- Heat source
- Place the potassium nitrate, charcoal, sulfur, and 5 u.b.w of water into the heat-resistant container and stir well.
- Place the heat-resistant container on the heat source and stir until small blue bubbles appear or the mixture becomes hot to the touch. DO NOT boil mixture or allow it to dry on the sides of the container, as it may ignite.
- Remove the mixture from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
- Pour the alcohol into the mixture and stir well.
- Strain the mixture through the cloth.
- Wrap cloth around mixture and gently squeeze out the remaining liquid.
- Granulate the black powder by rubbing a small handful across the screen.
- The black powder must now be dried. This can be done several different ways. Three methods are listed below.
- The powder can be dried using the sun. Spread the black powder out on a large flat surface and leave in direct sunlight for several hours. This will only work if the air temperature is above 77*F(25*C).
- The powder can be dried using a hot water bath. Place about 1cm (0.4in) of powder in the bottom of an acid-resistant container. Fill a pan with hot water and then place the container in the pan. Refill the pan with hot water as it cools.
- The powder can be dried using an oven. First pr-heat the oven to 212*F(100*C). Turn the oven off and wait 10 minutes. Place a small amount of black powder in the bottom of a large pot or pan. Place the pot/pan into the oven. Let the material sit in the oven until either it is completely dry or the oven cools below 122*F(50*C). If the oven has cooled but the powder is not dry, repeat the process. WARNING: It is recommended that a second thermometer be placed inside of the oven to ensure temperature stability. If overheated, the mixture will explode.
10. The powder can be made into finer grains (if necessary) by spreading a TEASPOONFUL of the powder at a time onto a flat surface then gently crushing it. Be sure to keep the rest of the powder well away from the powder that is being crushed in case of ignition.
11. Store in a waterproof container.
THIS GUIDE IS NOT COMPLETE. MORE ADDITIONS AND REVISIONS WILL BE MADE OVER THE NEXT MONTH.
Zee-Man |
Latest page update: made by Zee-Man
, Apr 11 2012, 5:02 PM EDT
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More Info: links to this page
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bomber99 | land mines (page: 1 2) | 34 | Nov 10 2011, 12:37 PM EST by LJ126 | ||
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Thread started: Oct 29 2011, 2:56 AM EDT
Watch
explosives that are knowed to go bang with even the samllest of force+flint+hole in the ground=land mine.(best part is your going to know there comeing)
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| AlexHigginbotham | The booby trap guide (page: 1 2) | 33 | Jun 8 2011, 7:13 PM EDT by OnkelD | ||
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Thread started: Nov 26 2010, 8:28 PM EST
Watch
This is the first big article I have ever written, but it isn't complete yet. I spent the last few hours writing it and my eyes are starting to get tired. I have a LOT more information to put in it, but as of right now, I think it is a pretty good start.
I named it, "Explosive Booby Traps Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb". If you don't get the title, then you are too young to be reading the guide. There is a big disclaimer on the top of the page that you need to read before diving into the article, and there are many warnings posted throughout the page. I had to make it to where a 10 year old couldn't use this information effectively. There is a little bit of science involved here so the target audience is responsible adults. Please enjoy and give me feedback as it will probably be a couple weeks until I am completely finished. |
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| fixdeluxe1 | How to disarm Land mines (Industrially produced MilSpec AT and AP mine (page: 1 2 3 4) | 66 | May 4 2011, 1:48 AM EDT by tvercetti1 | ||
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Thread started: Dec 6 2010, 2:22 AM EST
Watch
How to,for anyone willing to share the knowledge with others.
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Showing 3 of 3 threads for this page
