While I've never got steel wool to work with a battery, with a ferro rod it goes up quite nice. For that reason, I have some in my larger kits. However, I noticed that one of my batches must have been in a less that perfect pill bottle- it is rusted.

So, my first thought is to replace it, and the bottle. Then I'm thinking, rust... And remind myself that I'm not Blast, no thermite.

Final thought though is, how about working some petroleum jelly into it for storage. Should keep any moisture at bay.

And maybe I'll mix in something like some magnesium or aluminum flake.

So let us know how many fingers you have left at the end of your experiment...

Video! send us video!

Who is the payee on you life insurance,? If you don't have one would you like one??

Maybe the rusty steel wool will work better than the fresh stuff. <shrug>

Several decades ago, while in the automotive body repair business (a.k.a. body shop), we used gas torches for various repair tasks (cutting, brazing, etc.). If memory serves me correctly, the rusted areas were very reactive to the flame, meaning that they would almost explode under the extreme heat. It was quite a scrambling experience, accompanied by XXX rated audio, trying to avoid the hot embers flying all over the place.

Don't give Blast any more ideas.

Blast needs more of a challenge than Thermite... Thermite is easy.

That's the truth. All it takes me is six beers and a trip to Walmart. Of course, the same can be said for anything up to mercury fulminate...that requires a trip to Walmart AND Radioshack.

Unfortunately, the clerk at Radioshack won't sell stuff to me anymore if walk in giggling. Damn his police scanner...

-Blast

Always is tough when your reputation preceeds you!

And you need 6 beers? Hmmm...

I usually just have to touch the business end of a 9V battery to some 0000 steel wool and it starts glowing for me, maybe it's easier because the contacts are close together, so the current between that gap is pretty strong? We've also used 6V lantern batteries, the two spring contacts touch the steel wool, rusty or not, and we have things going. What kind of battery are you using, and how?

The kids in the troop were complaining that at this years Klondike Derby they couldn't use a battery, and had to use the flint/steel, but, they soon found out, as you did, that those sparks get the steel wool going well too. Puzzled that the battery didn't work for you though. We'll get to the bottom of it! Nothing that More Power can't cure!