How To Make a Match Box Bomb

This will teach you how to make a fireball out of an ordinary box of safety matches.

Step 1  

Pour all the matches out of the box, being careful not to accidentally strike and ignite any of them.

Step 2  

Cut off all of the match heads, using the end of the striking head as a cut line.

Step 3  

Cut out all striking strips from the box. Most boxes will have two strips on the two longer sides.

Step 4  

Make one strip into a loop. Curl the strip so that its striking surface is on the inside of the loop. Then, tape the outside together.

Step 5  

Determine what type of fireball you want to create. Do you want to watch a slow-burning, flaming fireball, or a more explosive, quick-burning fireball.  

• For a flaming fireball:
  1. Tape a loose, thin layer of match heads to the inside of the loop.
  2. Create another loop using another striking strip, except reverse it so that the striking surface is on the outside. This will go around the outside of the first loop.
  3. Tape a loose, thin layer of match heads to the outside of this new loop.
  4. Tape remaining match heads insides inside of the first loop.
  5. Add tape to seal off the sides of loops and secure the entire structure. It doesn't have to be air-tight, be it does need to be stable enough to ensure that no match heads are flung free. This is done for safety as much as it is to ensure complete combustion.
• For a more explosive fireball:
  1. Fill the little area of the loop with the match heads and tape the end of the striking surface over the top so the match heads are trapped inside.
  2. Wrap this structure with tape (ie: sello tape), making sure every gap is covered. You want to make this into a nearly air-tight ball, but you don't want to over do the thickness of the tape.

Step 6  

Throw it hard at the ground and it should burst into flames, but be very careful.

Tips

• Use a full matchbox, the more matches the bigger the fireball.
• Use good quality tape so that it doesn't melt. Alternatively, use flammable tape for a fireball that melts into a puddle when completely consumed by its own flames.
• Make sure there are no gaps!
• Use a lot of tape if you want a more violent fireball eruption. Use less tape for a faster-burning and self-consuming fireball.
• You must throw it relatively hard at the ground for the matches to strike well and ignite.
• The more tape you use the bigger the explosion.
• If you add flammable items into it, make sure you throw it a fair distance away from you for safty.

Warnings

• Wear any applicable protective safety gear, such as goggles, safety glasses, gloves, breathing mash, and/or a respirator.
• Where applicable, fire-extinguishers, adequate ventilation, and a non-flammable environment are worthwhile precautions for anything that poses a risk of smoke or fire.
• Activities and projects that pose risk to one's safety should only be performed an adult or under adult supervision.
  
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• Use this as soon as you make it, since it is in a volatile state. It could go off accidentally with the slightest bump.

Things You'll Need

• A new box of safety matches
• Roll of tape (Recommended duct tape)
• Scissors
• Glue (optional)
• Goggles