35 replies to this topic

[patrickescotland]

A fascinating experience, watching true craftsmen and an insight into the fireworks industry. Great to meet other members too hopefully see you again!

Special thanks to RichardH, Rev Lancaster and his colleagues for keeping the spirit of fireworks alive.

Fireworks ready for a display.

Transporting chemicals to a workshop.

Rolling stars.

Finished stars.

Roman candle stars fresh from the press.

Phil inspects a large titanium gerb. "Phwooar!!!"

Ron signing copies of his book.

[pyrotrev]

Were those comet tubes in the first picture metal? I've always shied away from using metal tubes for such uses, but maybe with non-bursting pieces i.e. only comets they're OK.

[portfire]

Lancasters dog

Star rolling#1

Star rolling#2

Star rolling#3

Old star roller...I think?

Storage

Drying room

Storage



Finished Stars. All Stars are classed as 1.1, hence you can't see anything apart from loads of soil

[crystal palace fireworks]

What a shame someone must have the formulas but arnt giving them away . I assume Brocks Fireworks would have been the best at the time though I dont know. It is great that we have a select few factories left like Kimbolton though I hope soon we have more and maybe the economic down turn will open new windows to be exploited by removing some of the major Chinese imports. What was the factory layout of Kimbolton?

Brock`s maybe have been the largest and longest established in recorded british history, but personally I think all the well known brands like Pains, Wilders, Rainbow, Astra, Wessex, Lion, Benwell, Standard etc were equally great, unique, and important to the UK pyro economy.

[portfire]

Were those comet tubes in the first picture metal? I've always shied away from using metal tubes for such uses, but maybe with non-bursting pieces i.e. only comets they're OK.

Yes they were and are used for 2" shells aswel. They fuse the tubes together with one length of PIC

[portfire]

Oh, those small stars are what Ron calls 'Seeds' There coreless and are rolled from comp+solvent. There left to dry before rolling the rest of the comp upto 8-10mm then further drying.........Should I be saying this? LOL

[crystal palace fireworks]

Were those comet tubes in the first picture metal? I've always shied away from using metal tubes for such uses, but maybe with non-bursting pieces i.e. only comets they're OK.

They looked like they were made of thickish aluminum, I guess they would rip instead of fragment less than steel if CATO, (although I maybe wrong), If we get to go again next year, I try and use my micrometer or inside callipers if I can find them.

[phildunford]

Just to add to all the other comments, great day and thanks Ron! et al.

With regards to formula, I think people are still secretive about this stuff, even though Ron commented on the day (& before) that if anyone ever got rich from a formula, he is yet to meet him. Also that there is as much 'cookery' in the mixing, grading, pressing, choking and consistancy etcs as there is in the formula.

Anyway, he dropped a lot of heavy hints which will help alot of us.

I've followed Rons career from the early days at the school, but never met him before. Was afraid my idol might have feet of clay, but this was very much NOT the case.

[portfire]

Was afraid my idol might have feet of clay, but this was very much NOT the case.

Agreed, as I said it was like meeting a celeb for me LOL.

With regards to formula, I 'll second that. Though I know of one who will be getting a classic one!. I said not to share it on the forum, but that's his choice.... I think you all know which one I'm talking about

[pyrotechnist]

portfire your pictures are not showing for some reason. Would that be a classical formula or complete formula manual ?

Edited by pyrotechnist, 21 June 2009 - 06:04 PM.

[phildunford]

Put my photos up on facebook:

Facebook

Think you have to be a friend to see them (not really a facebook expert)

How can we put things on UKPS facebook, or are we keeping that mods only?

[portfire]

portfire your pictures are not showing for some reason. Would that be a classical formula or complete formula manual ?

Anyone else? there fine with me ..... pyrotechnist, I'll send them you if you like

[portfire]

Would that be a classical formula or complete formula manual ?

Just the one classical mate, and a great one it is

Edited by portfire, 21 June 2009 - 06:09 PM.

[portfire]

Phil, I think people need to "Add As" and you need to confirm that you know that person, which is a good thing IMO