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Skylighter Fireworks Tips June 30, 2008 -- Issue #105 IN THIS ISSUE: Consumer Fireworks Display: Mortar Racks, Fusing Techniques (Includes Bonus Chromatrope Wheel Project) Free Fiberglass Festival Ball Mortar Tubes! Visit Skylighter's Project Plans

This is a busy week for many of us. The Mighty Fourth is Friday, so there is much to get ready.

Last week, Ned Gorski led you through the intricacies of wiring up your display for electrical firing. Today, he shows you how to set up your mortar racks and fuse your display for manual firing. This is good stuff. After you read it, if you are confused about anything, don't hesitate to write Ned or us with your questions.

There's a nifty bonus project this time: A Chromatrope Wheel that you make from cone-fountains you can find at almost any fireworks stand or store. This is a really cool effect, and not one that many of your audience have ever seen. Check it out.


This spectacular wheel spins in two directions. It is a great, safe project for your July 4th display, and one you can easily put together with your kids in an afternoon before the Fourth.

Finally, for you guys who may not have enough mortar tubes for your display, you can get a great, last-minute deal on them for the next day or two. See the special below.

But remember, Friday is a holiday, and there are no deliveries then. So if you need anything by Friday, use either UPS 2-Day or Next Day shipping. No other shipping method will get to you in time (please don't call us and ask for alternatives-we don't have or offer any).

CONSUMER FIREWORKS DISPLAY: MORTAR RACKS,
FUSING TECHNIQUES, AND A DRAMATIC WHEEL

In the last few weeks I've discussed making small Cremora fireballs and electric matches to use in a Consumer fireworks display, as well as firing systems and wiring techniques.

I've also covered many topics which deserve attention when planning the show and purchasing devices for it.

This week we'll be looking at the construction of mortar racks from which to fire artillery shells during the show, how to construct a really nice wheel using fountains from the local fireworks store, and some techniques for using various fuses to attach devices together for the display.

Mortar Racks

Mortars are the tubes with plugged ends that fireworks shells, comets or mines are fired from. Mortars can be made of HDPE plastic, fiberglass, paper, or in some special cases, metal.

The mortars need to be secured in an upright and safe position. This can be done by burying the mortars (guns) about 2/3 of their length in the ground. Here are a couple of shots of some of the large guns that were buried for shows and competition at a recent Pyrotechnics Guild International convention.


Often, especially with smaller guns, the mortars can be securely held in place in racks, either perpendicularly or at an angle. The racks can be constructed of metal, wood, or a combination of the two.


Here are a couple of artillery shell racks made by Brian Paonessa at Skylighter, using Skylighter's PL3182 fiberglass mortars. One is a fan rack, and the other holds the guns straight up and down.
Here is a shot showing some of the construction details of the fanned rack. Brian has glued and screwed the rack together.


Below is the angled PL3175 artillery shell mortar rack that Skylighter sells. The swing-out feet hold it in an upright position. When using this rack, I drill holes in the feet and drive spikes through them and into the ground to keep the rack from bouncing and falling over.


As you can see in the photo of the PGI racks above, wooden racks can also be held upright by attaching them together with lengths of wood 1x3s, or by pieces of plywood attached to both ends of them. In either case, screws or nails are used to keep the whole assembly upright and rigid.

Care must be taken to avoid driving fasteners into the mortars. In pyro this is known as a "bad-thing."

Typically, except in the case of fan-racks, racks are set up so that their ends are perpendicular to the front of the crowd. That way, if a rack happened to come loose and fall down, it would not be firing toward the crowd.

Here is another way to secure wooden racks. Screw-eyes are installed into the rack ends, and rebar pins are used to hold the racks in place. Both ends of the racks are supported in this manner, and racks can be erected end-to-end with only one pin between them.


No matter what method is used to erect them, once the racks have been assembled, they ought to be secure enough to withstand a healthy kick with a boot.

Fusing Devices in a Mortar Rack

In this section I'll be referring to and using the various kinds of fuse shown in the photo below. Each one serves its own purpose and has its own unique burn-rate. The burn rate of a roll of any particular kind of fuse can vary. So it's a good idea to cut 10 inches of the fuse off that roll and time it with a stopwatch as it burns to determine its exact burn rate.

American Visco	2.5 seconds per inch
Chinese Visco	1.7 seconds per inch
Fast Visco	0.25 seconds per inch
Fast Fuse	0.1 - 0.15 seconds per inch
Time Fuse	2.2 - 3 seconds per inch
Quickmatch	Instantaneous
Foil-Taped Fast Visco	Instantaneous
Foil-Taped Fast Fuse	Instantaneous

The foil-taped fast-Visco or fast-fuse may be used as excellent substitutes for quickmatch, which is not shippable. I described how to make it in Fireworks Tips #99.

In the rest of this article, I will refer to quickmatch, and you'll know you can make substitutes for it with the fast-Visco or fast-fuse as described above.

Hand Firing

So, I have filled 6 tubes in my rack with an artillery shell, comet, or a mine. If they are to be hand-fired, the shell-leaders (fuses) can simply be left hanging out of the guns, ready to be lit one at a time with a propane torch.

These shell leaders are fast-Visco fuse, and I'd expect a burn rate of about 4 inches per second, which will produce about a 3 second delay between lighting the fuse and the shell launch.

A shell of this size will take about 3-4 seconds to rise in the sky and display its starburst. So if I light the next fuse immediately after the first shell has launched, and so on, I'll get a nicely paced series of bursts that lasts a total of 18-20 seconds.

If the shell fuse leaders are a bit on the short side and threaten to drop down into the mortars, they can be held in place with a little masking tape. Be sure the shells are all the way on the bottom of the guns, though, to insure proper height when they are launched. A shell that's not seated solidly on the bottom of its mortar can become a "low break," which, in turn, can cause fires or injuries.

Fast Chain Fusing

But, let's say I want all of these shells to launch at the same time at some point during the show or at the end of it (the "finale"). In that case I'll chain them all together with a length of quickmatch. Chaining shells simply means attaching their fuse leaders together in a series. If the shells are chained together with quickmatch, and then the end of the quickmatch is lit using a piece of Visco or an electric match, once the flame hits the quickmatch the shells will all ascend skyward in quick succession.

This is done as follows:

• Cut a length of quickmatch as long as the run of mortar tubes containing the shells, plus about a foot. Always use a razor blade or anvil cutters to cut fuse, never scissors.

• Pierce the quickmatch wall with an awl where each shell leader comes out of the top of the mortar, making sure that all the layers of match pipe are pierced and you can see the black match inside.
  
  

• Put a fresh diagonal cut on the end of the shell leaders with a razor blade in order to expose the powder inside the leader.
• Insert the shell leader into the quickmatch for an inch or so.
• Use masking tape or aluminum foil tape to secure the shell leader into the quickmatch. I really like the aluminum foil duct tape with the peel-off paper backing. The stuff sticks like crazy, will not gradually come loose over time, and is fireproof.

• Use string to tie the fuse chain down to the rack between each mortar. I like waxed string for this purpose. It makes "threading the needle" with it a breeze. This prevents the first shell from yanking the chain as it is launched, which might pull the rest of the leaders loose from the chain.

Warning: In the past, some folks have used a staple gun to staple quickmatch chains to the tops of wooden racks. More than once, the stapler has created a spark which has ignited the chain and instantly sent shells skyward. This has killed or seriously injured some people. Don't use a staple gun to secure flammable fuse, nor use one anywhere near pyrotechnic compositions.

The nifty thing about this fusing method, and the following ones, is that they can be applied to fusing rockets set side-by-side in launch tubes, or to fusing cakes laid out in a field or on a piece of plywood. A whole show can be laid out, fused together with a combination of these methods, and fired by lighting one fuse or firing one electric match.

Delayed Chain Fusing

But Wait, There's More! Maybe I want that nice 3-4 second delay between the shells' firing that I spoke about earlier. Maybe I want a different delay time, but I want to fire the shells in a chain as in the section above. How can I build that delay in between each shell in the chain?

Near the end of the Pyrotechnica XI article, Traditional Cylinder Shell Construction, Part II, "Finale and Flight Chaining" is addressed. This is a fascinating explanation of "old-time" chaining methods using quickmatch, paper buckets (rolled tubes of kraft paper), string, spolettes and regular time fuse. It's a valuable addition to my pyro library. In the photo above, there are about 3 inches between the center of each mortar. If I run one of the Visco fuses down the line instead of the quickmatch, and attach my shell leaders every 3 inches, then I will get 3 inches of delay between shots.

3 inches of the American Visco will give me a delay of 7.5 seconds between shells. That's more than I want, but that might work in some cases. 3 inches of the Chinese Visco will give a delay of 5.1 seconds between shots. That's more like it. I could go with that, although it's a bit more of a delay than I really want.

To use Visco for a chain, simply tape the end of each shell leader alongside the Visco fuse as it runs along the tops of the mortars. The two fuses must be parallel to and touching each other for at least an inch of tape. Then tie the chain down to the mortar rack as shown above. Don't try to run the shell leaders into the Visco chain at a right-angle. You'll get poor or failed ignition that way.


There is another, more precise, way of incorporating delays into a chain of shell leaders, though. It incorporates sections of cross-matched time fuse, or the hand-rammed spolette fuses that I described in Fireworks Tips #93.

The roll of 1/4 inch time fuse that I have burns at a rate of 2.2 seconds per inch. If I use 1-1/2 inches of it between each shell in the rack, I'll get a 3.3 second delay between the firing of each shell. This is done as follows.

I want 1.5 inches of time fuse delay, and I'm going to split each end of the fuse 1/2 inch for cross-matching. So I cut five, 2-1/2 inch sections of the time fuse. I split each end 1/2 inch with my razor blade, insert three 2 inch pieces of the thin black match that can be found in the fast-fuse or quickmatch, and I tie each end of the time fuse closed with a clove hitch and overhand knot to secure each knot.


Then I make "buckets" out of 3-1/2 inch x 3-1/2 inch pieces of kraft paper, rolled around a 1/2 inch wood dowel, with the edge of the paper glued down. I then tie a bucket on each end of the cross-matched time-fuse pieces, with the knots just to the inside of the pieces of cross-match. Tie the knots very tightly so that hot gasses cannot escape the bucket and transfer over to the next one before the time fuse has burned through.


Now it's just a matter of making a chain of these bucket time-delays, in similar fashion to the chains that were made above. The first bucket in the chain has a piece of quickmatch coming into it from the ignition source, and a piece of quickmatch coming out of it into which the first shell's leader is tied or taped. I don't want a delay before this first shell's fuse is ignited. This first bucket also lights the first time-fuse delay element.


I bare the black match in the quickmatch for 3/4 inch before inserting it into the buckets. It's easy enough to clip the buckets a bit shorter with scissors as necessary. It's just important to avoid cutting into the cross-match with the scissors, and to leave enough bucket so that the knot can be tied without any blackmatch protruding beyond it.

During the chain assembly, it can help to tie each delay down to the rack before assembling the next link in the chain. This helps to insure that the quickmatch pieces leading to the shells are long enough, and are routed away from each other and away from the mouth of a previous mortar, which would lead to a premature ignition.


The chain shown above is designed to be ignited from the left end, to have 3.3 second delays between each shell, and to pass fire from the right end to the next device in the line if desired.

This same type of chaining using time fuse, can be used to link box-cakes to each other. Let's say I start with the ignition of a cake that has a 30 second burn time, and I want to overlap the next box 5 seconds into the first cake's time. I'll put a 25 second delay time fuse and buckets at the ignition point of that second cake. On and on, this type of show can be assembled.

Consumer Fireworks Cone-Fountain Chromatrope (Wheel)

Now for the added bonus section in this article. I find it to be fun and creative to take consumer fireworks items from the fireworks store, and assemble them into larger and more impressive assemblies. Fireworks cone-fountains can be hung upside down in a line to form a waterfall, and they can also be used as drivers in this large wheel. "Drivers" provide the force to make the wheel go round.

Chromatropes are a traditional fireworks display exhibition pieces. They are simply composed of two counter-rotating wheels, each of which is a basic assembly of wooden crosses with the drivers attached at the ends of each arm. They produce the kind of effect shown below.


The device shown above has 8 pairs of crossing fountain-sprays, or 16 drivers. This would be 8 drivers per wheel, and with 1 driver at the end of each cross-member, each wheel would have 4 cross-members. We'll build a simpler version, with two wheels, each having 2 cross-members and 4 cone-drivers.

Here is an illustration of a chromatrope out of Weingart's Pyrotechnics.



You'll notice in both the photo and the illustration that the drivers are mounted at a 45 degree angle to the arms, and will shoot their spray out at that angle. This angle also diminishes the amount of force with which each driver will drive the wheel. I'm going to mount the cone-drivers at less of an angle to increase their force when turning the wheels, since the cones are not as powerful as handmade drivers.

Here's a very simple pictorial essay on this consumer fireworks model. The hubs that the bolt-axles go through are simply 3 inch long 3/8" threaded tubes/nuts/washers, available at a hardware store in the lighting department.

I have cut 1-Inch x 2-Inch x 8 foot pieces of lumber in half to produce 4 foot long arms, and I've cut steep angles on the ends of each arm.

Then I drill 3/8 inch holes in the center of each arm, insert the threaded tubes, put some wood glue between the arms, and tighten the nuts and washers.

I've removed the wrapping paper from the cones and drilled some mounting holes in their hollow bases. I've also installed some extra scotch-tape to insure that the fuses are secured in their tops.



I then mount the cones to the arms with iron wire, and I install buckets and quickmatch to fuse them together. I have clipped the cone visco fuses on an angle to get fresh powder exposed, and I've glued and tied the buckets to the cones to insure that they don't slip off.


I've assembled a T-support with 4x4 lumber and reinforcements. This insures that the wheels don't hit the vertical support during operation.

I've assembled the wheels so that they are driven and turn in opposite directions. You'd be surprised how easy it is to mess this detail up.


On the day of the show, I'll tie the two wheel ignition points into one leader so that both wheels will light at the same time.

I always test at least one of the wheels with the cones you want to use to make sure that they are powerful enough to get the wheels spinning once they are lit.

Happy Fourth,

Ned
ngorski@skylighter.com


Okay, how many reloadable festival ball (also called artillery shells) mortar tubes do you have for the Fourth? How many do you need? You have until midnight, Tuesday to get more. After that, it'll be too late to get them shipped to you. Jump right now to make sure you order yours before we sell out.

If you are using reloadable/festival-balls/artillery-shells in your July 4th fireworks display, then you probably already know that you don't have enough mortar tubes. The reloadable fireworks kits you buy from your fireworks seller usually contain 1 or 2 mortar tubes. Definitely not enough for a first class display.

Of course, if you like tediously loading 20 or 30 shells into that one mortar tube, one at a time, over and over, all night long, then fine. But I can guarantee you, your audience will be bored after the first half dozen.

So, here's your chance to bring your show up to professional standards. Buy extra mortar tubes so you can either chain them together with fuse, or fire them electrically.

Here're a couple of projects for making racks for reloadable festival ball mortars.

How to Make a 30-Shot Milk Crate Mortar Rack

How to Make a 20-Shot Wooden Rack



Not only will your show look better, but you'll actually get to watch more of it yourself. Why not set all your reloadable shells up, each in its own mortar, and fire the whole thing with chained fuses and/or an electrical firing system?

It's safer, too. Reloading a mortar that has just fired a shell has an element of risk to it. Firing remotely or with chained fuses keeps you back from the business end of the mortars.

So, quick click the green button below, and pick up a passel of free mortar tubes.

Here's what you get if you quick click the green button:

Fiberglass Festival Ball Mortars Special

6 Fiberglass Festival Ball Mortars		$18.48
2 Fiberglass Festival Ball Mortars		$6.16
	Total Retail Value	$24.64

Order before midnight, July 6th, 2008 for just $18.48. Save $6.16!

Fiberglass Festival Ball Mortars Special

Fine Print: Very simple. You have to use Promo Code: 070608.

I repeat: To take advantage of this special, you have to enter Promo Code 070608 in the Promo Code box in your shopping cart.

Important: You may also need the following items as well for your July 4th show. There are only a few days left to get any of these to you in time:

• GN6020 Remote Electrical Firing System, or
• GN6011 Cable Connected Electrical Firing System
• GN5010 Copper Shooting Wire (500 ft. roll)
• GN5012 Aluminum Shooting Wire (1640 ft. roll)
• GN5050 Ematch Dip Kit
• GN5040 Ematch Blanks
• GN5005 Ematch Tester
• PL3170 HDPE Festival Ball Mortar Tubes
• PL3175 HDPE Festival Ball Mortar Fan Rack

These are all items that most people need and use when setting up an electrically or manually fired display. If you are missing any of the items above for your July 4th display, order them right now, and be sure and use either UPS 2nd Day, or UPS Next Day delivery. Otherwise you will not have them in time. Friday, the 4th is NOT a delivery day. Remember that hazardous materials such as fuse are only shipped by ground and can take 7-20 days to arrive, depending on how close you are to our warehouse in Virginia.

Note: If you take advantage of this special, you will not see the free mortar tubes in your shopping cart. We will add your freebies here at the warehouse. Also, shipping costs will be higher than what you see in your shopping cart, because the weight of the free tubes will not have been calculated there.