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Aerial Shell Fireworks Making Charts


Kraft paper strip dimensions for pasting canister shells, using 70 lb kraft paper.

Shell Size No. of turns Length of Strips
3" 3 1 - 24" strip
4" 4 2 - 24" strips
5" 5 3 - 24" strips
6" 6 4 - 24" strips
8" 8 4 - 48" strips



Amount of paste wraps for single break canister shells.

Shell Size No. Turns Paper Weight Length of Sheet
3" 3 turns 30-40 lb. 1 - 24" sheet
4" 4 turns 50-70 lb. 2 - 24" sheets
5" 5 turns 60-70 lb. 3 - 24" sheets
6" 6 turns 60-70 lb. 4 - 24" sheets
8" 8 turns 70 lb. 4 - 48" sheets



Canulle diameters for shells.

Shell Size Canulle Diameter
3" 3/4" to 1"
4" 1" to 1-1/4"
5" 1-1/2" to 1-3/4"
6" 1-3/4" to 2"
8" 2-1/4" to 3"



Cut star sizes for shells.

Shell Size Cut Color Stars Cut Tailed Stars
3" 1/4" or smaller 1/4" - 3/8"
4" 1/4" - 3/8" 3/8" - 1/2"
5" 3/8" - 1/2" 1/2" - 5/8"
6" 3/8" - 1/2" 1/2" - 5/8" or 3/4"
8" 1/2" or larger 5/8" or larger



Time fuse delays needed for various size shells.

Shell Size (in.) Delay Time (sec.)
3" 3
4" 3.5
5" 4
6" 5
8" 6
10" 6.5
12" 7



The amount of black powder lift needed for single break shells.

Shell Size Description Weight of 2FA lift
3" color or salute 1 oz
3" color and inserts 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 oz
4" color or salute 2 oz
4" color and inserts 2-1/2 oz
5" color or salute 3 to 3-1/2 oz
5" color and inserts 4 to 5 oz
6" color or salute 4 to 5 oz
6" color and inserts 4-1/2 to 6 oz
8" color 8 - 12 oz



Spollette dimensions and powder charges for shells.

Shell I.D. O.D. Length Powder Charge
3" single break 5/16" .55" 2" 1" to 1-1/4"
4" single break 5/16" to 3/8" 11/16" 3" 1-3/8"
5" single break 5/16" to 3/8" 11/16" 3" 1-3/8" to 1-1/2"
6" single break 5/16" to 3/8" 11/16" 3" 1-1/2"
8" single break 5/16" to 3/8" 11/16" 4" 1-3/4"



Spiking patterns for various sized shells.

Shell Size Verticals/Strands Material
3" 12 / 2 8-ply cotton
4" 16 / 2 8 or 10-ply cotton
5" 24 / 2 8 or 10-ply cotton
6" 32 / 2 8 or 10-ply cotton
8" 48 / 2 or 48 / 3 8 or 10-ply cotton
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