8 replies to this topic

[JonW]

Hi All,

 

Not sure if this is the write area of the forum to post, it has been years since I was last on here.

 

Every year I go round local youth groups and do a short talk on firework safety just before the silly season starts. Over the years I have built up a collection of used fireworks as demo items for them to look at and see how they work.

 

I also work as a professional firer and last year I was amazed at how many news stories there were about shells being stolen and possibly sold to the unknowing public as they were re-wrapped and given fake labels - though you can't hide the recognisable shape!

 

This year I am wanting to add some CAT4 dummies to my presentation so everyone knows the shapes of what sort of fireworks are not for public use and present a danger to them.

 

Therefore, I am looking for any help on where I could get hold of some hemispheres and lifting cups so I can make my own dummy shells. I was thinking of trying to fill them with sugar to try and make them near actual weight as well. If anyone can give me some pointers I would be most grateful!

 

Thanks.

[JonW]

Thanks for your offer Kenneth, but in theory I am thinking of making a couple of shells, plus a peanut, plus a cylinder to give more of an overview of different types. I would not expect you to spend that much time doing that and then the postage of that quantity would be immense!

 

However, if you could offer me some suggestions on what material looks authentic. For example, what would be the best material to imitate the QM leader? Just brown paper rolled then flatten? maybe a piece of string in the middle with the end painted black?

 

Any useful tips would be most welcome

[megabusa]

You will need some cardboard hemis, which can be obtained from some of the suppliers on here.

 

I made a dummy 3" shell a few years ago for that same purpose. I made it as if it were real but didn't go too mad on the pasting.

 

A pair of hemis for the shell & a McDonalds sauce cup for the lift.

 

I used sand which was actually too heavy, sugar would be better or maybe sawdust.

 

For the leader, I used actual QM but removed the black match & replaced it with 5 strands of painted string. I even pasted a string loop to support the leader. If you work on pro shows you will be able to get QM easily enough.

 

I labelled it correctly as cat4 but used 'dummy shell' as the effect description.

 

We used one of them on a UKPS stand at one of the MLE champs. My 12 year old was demonstrating how we safely load them into mortars & insert a (dummy) ignitor !

[Arthur Brown]

The dummies that I once made were obviously dummies so that no-one could realistically believe that I had live fireworks where dummies should have been.

[Arthur Brown]

Inside school buildings and inside exhibition halls where big "shells" may be seen, it's best IMO that they are dummies and best that they are obviously explosive free.

[megabusa]

You know Arthur this site is getting more and more like visiting a police station:

 

'Ello, 'ello, 'ello  .....

 

Made me smile ..... !

[starseeker]

Inside school buildings and inside exhibition halls where big "shells" may be seen, it's best IMO that they are dummies and best that they are obviously explosive free.

I can't imagine Rodger that anybody in there right mind would bring a live shell to any hall etc 

[David G]

Glad it did, I can’t get my head around this forum, they need a wakeup call .

No Ken,more like cpr. I think this society is ready to be declared
doa.

[Arthur Brown]

I've made several dummies for display. they are large enough to be seen on a display stand, some come apart to show construction others have a hole in through the lift cup so that they can be readily checked to be empty.

 

http://www.ebay.com/...s-/321810134622

Better received by an American sense of humor rather than by a UK person