I can draw!

Now you have probably all heard stories of teenage kids getting in trouble for making a pipe bomb, and I'm sure at some point you have read documents like the Anarchists Cookbook, where the pipe bomb is the most commonly made and discussed item. Pipe bombs have a very bad reputation; they are the most common explosive devices used in violence in the US. The Columbine shooters had pipe bombs, many abortion-clinic bombings involve pipe bombs, the 1996 Olympic Park bombing used a pipe bomb (actually four together, but only one went off) and a couple years ago I remember hearing about a guy who tossed a pipe bomb into a church and started shooting people. What makes a pipe bomb so bad? Nothing. They aren't really any different from any other homemade explosive, the media just needs something to demonize (plus its easier to say "pipe bomb" than "homemade explosive device"). There are a variety of metal casings that do exactly the same thing, cobs for example. With pipe bombs they do produce more dangerous shrapnel because of the thickness, but the same could be accomplished with nails/screws/ball bearings/etc attached to anything else.

The pipes do not even have to be metal, PVC or other plastic pipes can also work, and are safer because they are not metal and there is less risk of accidental friction ignition because plastic creates less friction than metal (but static becomes more likely with plastic). One fact "experts" often state when there is an attack where a pipe bomb is involved is "Don't ever try making one, statistically, the maker is at much higher risk of death than any potential victim". That's a pretty meaningless statement, as most people do not try to kill when they make a pipe bomb, just to have some fun. With pipe bombs, as any other explosive, some really, really stupid people make them. On TLC (The Learning Channel) there was a story on the bomb squad called "Bomb Detectives", and pipe bombs, as usual took center stage. Yes, they are common, but only because they are extremely simple, not because they are the Ultimate Killing Machine(!!!) (they aren't). One cop told a story about one kid who died making one. This kid was obviously EXTREMELY stupid, and should never have been messing with explosives. He got a metal pipe, capped one end, filled it with powder and capped the other end. You need a hole for the fuse right? Of course, so he drilled a hole for the fuse WHILE IT WAS FILLED WITH POWDER. Drilling metal with metal makes a lot of heat and friction, and it exploded, killing him when a piece of the pipe penetrated his heart. Stupid people should stay away from explosives (important moral of story).

If you do decide to make one, there are a few things to remember. Drill the fuse hole before filling the container with powder (this goes for all explosives) and if you needed to be told that, go back to kindergarten and never even look at an explosive for the rest of your life. Other than drilling, the main cause of accidental ignition is friction from screwing on the second cap (after its filled with powder). Wipe the threads with a wet cloth first, smearing glue on the threads would also be good because it would a) keep any powder in contact with it from igniting and b) make a good seal when dry. I have seen many descriptions for making fuse that involve tissue paper dusted with powder. This will burn extremely fast, likely causing the device to explode while you are still very near. Do not use homemade fuse without a lot of experience or you will probably get hurt. I don't know this for a fact, but I would assume most injuries with homemade explosives are from inadequate delay. Do not use homemade fuse for any device without serious testing first!!!