I will admit that I once took a D12-3 and dug out the clay cap, ejection charge, and delay train one day when I wanted to chad stage a Big Bertha and realized I was out of booster motors. (It was a private launch, BTW.) It worked exactly like a regular booster, but I was paranoid enough about a static charge igniting it while digging the stuff out that I wore my fire gear for protection (trained professional and all that stuff). I only did it that one time because I've always kept a supply of booster motors on hand since then. Would I ever do it again in a pinch? I'll just take the 5th on that.