1569 replies to this topic

[The_Djinn]

Make your own racks... mortar tubes are available from www.essextubes.co.uk (click on enquiries the mortar tubes after skipping the flash intro)
all measurements are in metric so 75mm - 3" / 100mm - 4" / 150mm - 6"

Mark

Edited by The_Djinn, 26 July 2004 - 05:47 PM.

[sasman]

er

Edited by sasman, 25 October 2010 - 09:08 PM.

[The_Djinn]

out of curiosity... what sizes did you get and what did they charge you ?

There is also a process for prepairing the tubes which will help extend there life. Believe me, pyro companies are not replacing tubes after every tenth use.

Mark

Edited by The_Djinn, 28 July 2004 - 04:06 PM.

[sasman]

er

Edited by sasman, 25 October 2010 - 09:08 PM.

[The_Djinn]

took a while to find... http://www.maximumfx...k/tips_page.htm

[Stuart]

Do Essex Tubes have a price list somewhere for their tubes or do I have to fill out an enquiry form?

[sasman]

er

Edited by sasman, 25 October 2010 - 09:09 PM.

[The_Djinn]

Nive sasman, cant complain about that. Looks like it burst at its peak and the star duration was spot on.

Mark

PS: Might ditch the girlfriend and find one that has a little more faith in the shell getting higher than the top of the tube

Maybe add a commet to it so she can follow it up... and tell her not to laught... tis a serious experiment..lol

Edited by The_Djinn, 11 August 2004 - 08:08 AM.

[Chaoticentity]

I would crossmatch rather than use a BP slurry on the end, the reason being is that the BP on the end adds to delay and makes it hard to dial in a shell, crossmatching will produce more repeatable results, also try having it timed just shy of the apex, buy 1/4 sec or so, it produces an interesting effect if done right, kind of like a palm as some of the stars still have upward momentum. All in all a very nice shell, decent break, some have had sucess pasting over plastic, I have done both that and add fiberglass tape, I found both to be comparable, so try both and see what works for you. Good luck great shell!!

[Phoenix]

There is an article about break charges on Passfire. The BP coated Rice Krispies are supposed to be rock hard, but also lightweight. They are, however, not supposed to be "fluffy," as, in my interpretation, that suggests they are compressable. If they can be compressed, they can pack solid under the force of their own burning, and block the passage of fire to the ouside of the shell, so it bursts without the flame front reaching the stars, leading to blind stars and innefficient use of break charge. If they are rock hard, the structure remains open, allowing good star inition and a hard break. The reason that the filler is used is to save BP and keep the weight down. For smaller shells, straight polverone may be used.

[EDIT] Just watched the video - very nice work. Does your time fuse not produce any visible spark trail, or did it just not show up on the video?

Edited by Phoenix, 11 August 2004 - 01:50 PM.

[The_Djinn]

Rice crispies are firm by nature and the BP with dextrin should enhance this. The reson they may appear "fluffy" is if there is still moisture present and they have not had enough time to dry... this is something I experience the first time I made a batch but found by leaving them in a warm dry place they do eventualy harden up.
I think the trick is to remove as much moisture as possible before coating or alternately use the same procedure as when making stars.. mist with light spray and sift around in dry BP mix.. repeat a couple of times and let dry.
Different methods will work for different people.

Mark

Edited by The_Djinn, 11 August 2004 - 02:13 PM.

[BigG]

Sasman - just looked at your video. Very nice! Dense breaks are nice - I liked it as it is.

[sasman]

er

Edited by sasman, 25 October 2010 - 09:09 PM.

[paul]

sasman, both of your videos are impressive :D I like this nearly round break with this sharp crack...

Nice work. Respect :D

These plastic shells are so cheap to get.... I have to order a few....

Edited by paul, 01 September 2004 - 09:32 PM.

[sasman]

Thanks Paul . the break Looked Ok but i want to see if any experts can see something wrong with it?

.Also would like estimates on the Height of the shell?..As for these plastic shells they are cheap but post & packing from USA shoots up the price, after i get the knack of making plastic shells work ill start making them out of paper..

PS.. im looking forward to seeing your 4" shell Paul