17 replies to this topic

[DavePlym]

Admittedly I normally go for traditionally sized garden firworks, however, I've a few bigger barrages/cakes which instruct you to attach to a stake. This instruction doesn't ring a bell from the past, so is it necessary as I can't imagine the average scummy chav adhering to that. Any thoughts/advice?

[David]

to give a somewhat "textbook" style answer, if the firework advises you to stake, then yes, you really should. If you fail to follow instructions on the firework, then it leaves you personally potentially liable in the rare event of an accident.

[jindivik]

for the smaller ones i bury them, i've never had a cake with instructions telling me to stake them, but with the larger ones, and mines too i will stake them & tape them, a bit of extra effort is worth it rather than risking somebody losing an eye

[Gigantic Crab!!!]

Gigantic Crab!!! points out that although large fireworks may seem stable before firing, once they have fired over half of their shots they are a lot lighter and very unevenly weighted and can tip over.
Gigantic Crab!!! has witnessed this happen, so for the sake of 30 secs bang a stake in and tape it up.

[Arthur Brown]

First thought, -you are NOT your definitive chav! so do it right!

I have seen 49'ers bounce around when fired unfastened. Some fireworks have a marked place to fit an internal stake -an empty tube marked with a cross.

[Floydman]

I have always used concrete blockwork / bricks dependant on the size of the cake - normally one block / brick on each side of the cake.
Never had any problems plus much easier to set up in my opinion.

[David]

I have always used concrete blockwork / bricks dependant on the size of the cake - normally one block / brick on each side of the cake.
Never had any problems plus much easier to set up in my opinion.

This is a little risky, as potentially a brick/concrete could shatter in the even of a firework misfiring.

[Floydman]

This is a little risky, as potentially a brick/concrete could shatter in the even of a firework misfiring.

If a misfire goes through a heavy duty block then I expect it will easily rip through tape and a stake ?

[phildunford]

The purpose of the the stake and tie is only to stop the cake falling over and shooting inserts at the crowd...

If a shot went off in a tube I think normal safety distances would avoid injury - we are not talking high-power here - not with consumer cakes.

[David]

Don't under-estimate how big some of the biggest Cat 3 cakes can be, though.

Even something like a big cone, if they mis-fire and explode, that can be quite powerful.

Edited by David, 26 October 2009 - 11:27 PM.

[wjames]

i always stake.....even smaller fireworks.....sometime using cane.


Quite often, i'll drive a 2 foot peice of 2x4 into th ground, by 8 inches, and trim if needed. and quite often i'll use that to support several fireworks, and even fire some rockets from.

[NickC]

And make sure that if you staking the firework is behind the stake is looking from the crowd and where a taller stake is require is angled back (away from the crowd), such that if the firework was to fall over it topples away from the crowd.

[Arthur Brown]

Stake if it says so, stake if it looks likely the firework may topple. Use a stake in proportion to the firework.

Note also that some fireworks say bury in soft earth to a line. Yes you should! And it should be a big bit of earth not a plant pot full.

The bit about soft earth is because hard earth or gravel or stones become projectiles if the firework misfunctions.

[Gigantic Crab!!!]

Note also that some fireworks say bury in soft earth to a line. Yes you should!

Gigantic Crab!!! says: Bollocks. Encouraging people to take note of what is written on the side of fireworks is commendable, but for consumer fireworks stake and tape will do the job quickly, easily and perfectly adequately.
Gigantic Crab!!! may choose to bury fireworks himself, but only as soft earth is far more abundant than stakes and tape on the sea bed. When choosing to terrify you puny overlanders with his mighty displays on land there will be no digging. The Gigantic Crab!!! does not carry a shovel!!!

Imbeciles!!!

[Mortartube]

Staking is usually advised on items that are taller than their width and can topple over. I stake even quite stable looking items that don't specify it, if they are not to be buried. Staking has been on instructions for certain items for many years. Some small cakes have a hollow tube in the centre and come with a plastic stake that you push through the centre tube.

In answer to your question, always stake items that specify it in the instructions.