1.4g Quad
Artillery Shell Launch (wmv - click on picture to see) Where we live, artillery shells are
very popular and somewhat expensive. However, the fireworks stands almost
always have a really good deal on one brand or another - usually a very
cheap tube and six shells. If this is true in your area, then buy four
of them and use wood screws to fasten the four tubes to a solid wood
base such as a piece of 2" x 8". They should form a square that is
two deep (and, of course, two wide).
Be sure you screw them down to something! If you don't, one artillery
shell lift might knock one of the tubes down and send a shell out sideways.
Drop four artillery shells into the tubes and, using masking tape, bind the
tips of the fuses together for about 1". Leave a bit of space at the
end so you can light the thing. The fuses take fire from each other quite
well so you will be lighting four shells at once. Since I want to get back a
bit, I sometimes put an inch of visco into the tip of the fuse to give me a
bit more time to get back and watch. You get a quad break display for
a reasonable price. All 1.4g fireworks rules apply -
have fun!
Black Cat Exploding Comet Rockets (wmv - click on picture to see)
I fell in love with these puppies. They are categorized by some dealers as 'Large Bottle-Rockets'. There are 24 to a tray and the price varies wildly but I got a deal for $3.00 a tray (I think it was a deal). Out-of-the-box they have a terribly weak finish but there is about a 1 inch space in the nose that you can put a star or two in - or flying fish fuse - or similar. Once you dress up the payload, the rocket is a lot of fun and if purchased in quantity, it is cheaper than making a 3/8" rocket and lots quicker (although it isn't as powerful). The tail is full of titanium sparks and is really nice. I often use it to test my stars. Click on the link and see what I mean.
