23 replies to this topic

[Arthur Brown]

I've seen methods of shell making using ball shell formers in three parts, a hemi, a ring and a top lid. Does anyone know a supply of these please.

Edited by Arthur Brown, 14 May 2010 - 06:54 PM.

[martyn]

Hello Arthur - I've only seen plastic ones, is this type of thing you mean?

ball mill!!!!

This chap seems to be selling largish ones as ball mills.

[Mumbles]

Those originally come from Plasticos Gamon out of Spain.

Anyway, I think the Japanese just cut the paper shells in order to get the three pieces.

[Arthur Brown]

Thanks people. I really don't want all that plastic to clear up so I think that the knife idea may work well.

[dr thrust]

have you got any pictures?, or can you direct us to where you've seen the formers?

[seymour]

It's described, with illustrations, by Shimizu in both F.A.S.T and Lancaster's book.

[al93535]

Japanese hemi's are almost always paper, at least the ones I have seen. The hemishperes are simply perfect! They do not warp into football shapes, they are a bit thicker with stronger paper, and they meet together with zero gap. They are a luxury to use! On 8" plus shells they come with a plastic ring to keep the two hemis together and keep them nice!

What you are talking about are the plastic shells from gamon plasticos like mumbles said. A bottom hemi, then a top hemi that has a removeable top section to aid in filling the shell all the way up then putting the cap on. This eliminates the step of slapping the two hemi's together. A very nice construction method. These shells also come with a molded snap on plastic lift cup. There are also nesting sets of shells out there, and those are very very nice!

Anyways other then making a purchase from the manufacturer your best bet is here: http://www.pyro-pro.com/ email him if you dont see what you want.

What size are you looking for? and how many?

Edited by al93535, 16 May 2010 - 03:47 PM.

[pyrotechnist]

Bloody hell thats an expensive site, 120 or so dollars for one shell, you kidding me! would be neat if it was English and cheaper.

[PyroSkitz]

Bloody hell thats an expensive site, 120 or so dollars for one shell, you kidding me! would be neat if it was English and cheaper.

Yes, $129 dollars and $250 dollars, but they are 16 and 24 inch shell casings lol no just standard commercial shells that every Tom Richard or Barry wants to buy lol although I bet making a 24" shell would be one he'll of a fun project to do and also to launch

[pyrotechnist]

Get a football and past it yourself lol , just seems a bit expensive for me.

[digger]

I bet making a 24" shell would be one he'll of a fun project to do and also to launch

I would guess that in the UK you would find great difficulty finding anywhere with a big enough safety distance to fire one(600m or a 1.2km diameter circle with absolutely bugger all in it).

Must weigh a bit too, I would guess about 70kg to 80kg given that a 16" weighs 20kg to 25kg. So I guess the cost of the casing will be small in comparison to what you use to fill it!

Edited by digger, 14 July 2010 - 09:26 PM.

[PyroSkitz]

What do you mean by getting a football and pasting it haha ? , also yeh 1.2km does seem a lot, is this the recommended to also be away from the shell to see it properly lol ? , and yeh a 16" shell can quite easily take up a few hundred pounds worth of stars and effects if it wanted to lol... I wouldn't want to know the cost for a 24"

[Mumbles]

I've seen a few 24" shells. They generally weighed in around 220-240lbs.

[digger]

also yeh 1.2km does seem a lot

1m radius for 1mm of shell diameter is the accepted norm for safety. Think about the burst diameter and the distance it can fly!

[pyrotechnist]

I meant to create a shell casing, past the ball and once dry cut it, just a thought lol.