USE OF EXPLOSIVES ON THE FAEM 



447 



examine your fuse ; see that it is not stiff and brittle ; if in this 

 condition, it is advisable to warm slightly, and cut the required 

 length from the roll mth a sharp knife, hatchet or cap crimper. 

 (The cut should be made squarely across and not diagonally. 

 (1, Fig. 221). Sometimes in the cutting the end becomes flattened, 

 thereby making the end of the fuse too large to enter the blast- 

 ing cap. When this happens, squeeze the end round with index 



1. Cut off a sufficient length of 

 fuse. 



2. Take one cap from the box 

 with the fingers. 



3. Slip cap on end of fuse. 



Fia. 221. — Attaching a blasting cap to safety fuse, 



4. Crimp cap to fuse with cap 

 crimper. 



finger and thumb. Open the cap box and allow one cap to slide 

 gently out to be grasped in the fingers (2,Fig.221) ; but, under no 

 circumstances, pick a cap out of the box with a piece of wire, 

 stick or other hard substance. See that there is no grit or trash 

 in the cap. Slip the end of the fuse gently into the cap until it 

 is against the charge in the bottom (3, Fig. 221 ). Do not twist the 

 fuse as the friction might cause a premature explosion. Then 

 take the cap crimper and fasten the cap to the fuse with a crimp 

 near the open encT of the cap (4, Fig. 221). These operations are 

 not dangerous, but should be done carefully. If the primer is 

 to be used in a wet hole, smear a little hard tallow, soap or simi- 

 lar substance around the top of the cap to insure against water 

 leaking in and ruining the cap before it is fired. Never use oil 

 or light grease as these will penetrate the fuse covering and 



