24 replies to this topic

[chimp]

Apparantly one of the benefits of a larger tube is that it allows for the bombette/shot to be less elongated, which makes for a more symetrical burst.

Generally, Black Powder bursts are not going to give the symetrical spread that we've been used to with flash, but if what you say is correct, then the consumer still needs to ask the question is it worth paying the extra bucks to see the same 'size' of burst in a slightly better form? For example, a 25 shot cake with a 30mm bore may cost say £25~£28 where as a 25 shot in 22mm may only cost £15 - do you pay an extra tenner for the same weight of composition per shot but spread in a slightly more spherical form?

Edited by chimp, 09 August 2009 - 06:12 PM.

[David]

For example, a 25 shot cake with a 30mm bore may cost say £25~£28 where as a 25 shot in 22mm may only cost £15 - do you pay an extra tenner for the same weight of composition per shot but spread in a slightly more spherical form?

Yeah-it's like things that advertise "Maximum legal weight" (10KG.) This, in itself, says little about the performance or NEC of the firework.

[Spyrotechnics]

dont you think that the manufacturers will be instructed to put the max powder in the max bore size and then reduce the powder weight as you move to smaller tubes, hence keeping 30mm as the "pokiest" and not shooting themselves in the foot

[chimp]

dont you think that the manufacturers will be instructed to put the max powder in the max bore size and then reduce the powder weight as you move to smaller tubes, hence keeping 30mm as the "pokiest" and not shooting themselves in the foot

I think you've hit the nail on the head Stu - I was wondering how long it would take before somebody concurred with my own thoghts on this. We've already seen smaller rockets "down spec'd" to maintain the differential with larger, more expensive ones. I suspect that the quest for punters from now on will be to try to find smaller bore cakes from one brand that have not been interfered with as much as those from another. I'm sure over the next season or two, the odd supplier will have some smaller stuff that performs as well as many 30mm cakes - as we've seen in days gone by with the likes of the old Apricot Blossoms and some of the smaller MLE cakes. However, I'm sure any such products will be duly altered if it becomes too popular and corrupts the brand's range performance.......

Edited by chimp, 11 August 2009 - 11:14 AM.

[David]

I'm sure over the next season or two, the odd supplier will have some smaller stuff that performs as well as many 30mm cakes

Hope so! Crazy Horses (old spec, of course) was only 19mm bore, with 13g of powder per tube. "On paper" that sounds pretty average, but never the less, it was notable for the quality of it's bursts and general "pokeyness."

Come to think of it, I can't think of that many 30mm cakes that are notable "classics." (With the exception of the old airbombs/airbomb cakes. In these cases, it did seem to be pretty cut and dried- the bigger the bore, the bigger the bang.)

Edited by David, 11 August 2009 - 06:35 PM.

[David]

Also (and this is mere speculation) isn't a larger bore more of a hinderance than a help for whistle effects?

[pyromaniac303]

Also (and this is mere speculation) isn't a larger bore more of a hinderance than a help for whistle effects?

Smaller bore whistles are quieter, but have less fallout. A whistle to bombette insert doesnt have this problem though as the debris is blown apart, however a 30mm probably 3mm+ thick walled insert tube landing on your head still intact is going to hurt! So yes smaller bore whistles are preferable in purely whistle devices.

[Thudkaboom]

Smaller bore whistles are quieter, but have less fallout. A whistle to bombette insert doesnt have this problem though as the debris is blown apart, however a 30mm probably 3mm+ thick walled insert tube landing on your head still intact is going to hurt! So yes smaller bore whistles are preferable in purely whistle devices.

Larger bore whistles are quite a nice contrast to small pen-lid style whistle units though. Howling Comets for one. A deeper whistle creating the 'howl' sound and a much longer burn time/altitude and more visual tail effect stands these items in good stead for me. I think the fallout from a large rocket is the most hazardous. Hot metal motor casings, big long sticks and sharp fragments of plastic raining all over the place. I'd rather have a load of cakes ta.

[chimp]

Larger bore whistles are quite a nice contrast to small pen-lid style whistle units though.

Anyone remember Milennium's Flak Attack?........an awful looking cake with a really cheap, naff label. However, it did fire massive, howling orange plastic tubes that finished with huge reports.

[David]

Anyone remember Milennium's Flak Attack?........an awful looking cake with a really cheap, naff label. However, it did fire massive, howling orange plastic tubes that finished with huge reports.

I remember it- good stuff! I remember it being quite expensive compared to other stuff in the range, though.