A rack question

[N3OQO]

Hello folks!

I am going to build a couple of mortar racks here in the very near future. I wanted to know from some of you more experienced people that have done it, is it better to let the tubes just sit in the rack (closely and tightly of course) or should I use something like liquid nails to anchor them??? Thanks!

Bill

[jknepp1954]

it is probably a personal preference thing. all my consumer racks tubes are loose. However on my 2.5" and larger racks - we had them screwed down. I have used 3" racks loose don't like them...and in my opinion dangerous.

[hokester44]

I would agree with Joyce. I don't believe screwing down consumer tubed is a must, but personal preference.

[N3OQO]

I'm most likely going to put liquid nails on the bottoms and make sure they stay in place, but my question to be more precise, is that I'm not sure if the constant lift charges will cause advise effects to the bottom of the tubes and plug. When you are playing with fireworks the best policy is safety first.

[Jman]

As long as you build the rack properly and have a tight fit with the tubes there is no reason to anchor them down. Besides, sometimes you need to remove them or dump them to clean out all the junk left in the bottom such as casings and paper.531532533531534

[Jman]

535536537538539540

[Jman]

541542

50 shot angle racks when they were brand new

[PyroManiacs]

My, you gotta nice rack there! lololol

[jknepp1954]

I borrowed Universal Pyro's 50 sh rack once -never again - way too heavy to lift! :)

[Jman]

Jknepp...Heavy...yes thats for sure. The red ones I posted used to be straight up 120 shot racks. I leaned them and took out some tubes. They are now 90 shot angled racks and SUPER HEAVY but WOW what a show they can put on when loaded.

PyroManiac...ha ha, well yeah...for a man I've got a pretty awesome rack...lol

[bradlee311]

where do you guys buy the tubing for these? I'm hearing something about HDE material? Or some similar acronym, and NOT to use a regular PVC. My local shops sell some tubes for like $3, thoughts on the price? Or suggestions to online stores offering better deals on bulk buys? Thanks

[Pyro k]

where do you guys buy the tubing for these? I'm hearing something about HDE material? Or some similar acronym, and NOT to use a regular PVC. My local shops sell some tubes for like $3, thoughts on the price? Or suggestions to online stores offering better deals on bulk buys? Thanks
You want to buy HDPE mortar tubes. Next you have to figure out what shells your shooting to get the correct size tube. I can't really tell you where you should buy them, I usually check out the webs sponsors first.

[displayfireworks1]

If you are looking for mortar racks, I will soon be announcing a new advertiser to pyrotalk that can meet you mortar needs.

[Jman]

I bought mine about 10 years ago from pyrocreations and another company that I have forgotten the name of. I ordered several hundered with wood plugs pre installed in the bottom of the tubes. My tubes are DR11 which is 1.91" and perfect for most 1.4g shells. Ball shells are usually a bit lose while canister shells like Excals are slightly tight, mainly because of the fuse that runs down inside the paper from top to bottom. I've never really had any issue's with shells not lifting properly even when I've used the 1.5" festival ball shells that are pretty lose in these tubes. Very durable, I've been firing mine for over 10 years now with hardly any issues. I've got a few tubes where the wood plugs have cracked or flaked off but I believe this is my fault because after one 4th show about 5 years ago a storm blew up and I could not get my racks in before they were soaked...this was about 10 minutes after the show had ended. The plug issues that I have had occurred after they got wet and dried back out.

BTW, most companies will give you a discounted price on your tubes if you order 100 or more. For me this was not an issue but I had friends who had not ordered because they only wanted 50 tubes. Its best to find others in your area and just make one big order and get the lowest price possible.

[Jman]

The friends I mentioned who wanted fewer than 100 tubes just jumped in on my order. I think we ordered 500+ tubes at the time and got them for like $1.19 a piece but remember, this was 10 years ago. I'm sure they cost double that now.

[mguerra]

Here's your best value, 50 fiberglass tubes for $49.00:
https://www.usfireworks.biz/items/dm20-2-1-75inconsumerfiberglassmortar.htm
I bought a 50 pack of these and they are perfect. Racks are easy to build, or buy.

[PyroManiacs]

Too bad its not HDPE for 49.00 that would of sold me. lol

[rtx440]

Same as mguerra ^ these are good deal. I ordered the case of 50 this past friday and get them yesterday. Only took a few days and with shipping I think it came to around $70 bucks. I baught the same case last year. So I have two 50 shot fan racks. A lil on the heavy side. But nothing me and a buddy cant handle. I went to lowes and baught some of the cheaper wood : 1"x2"s and 1"x4"s. .I just built one yesterday. Didnt take long at all and its pretty sturdy. Id say total on both 50 shot racks. I have $165-Ish invested including tubes.

[tinymagget]

several years ago I wanted to build some racks. Since I didn't want to spend 3 bucks a tube. And still have to construct the racks. So off to the local home centers. Guess what nothing they sell has a 1.75 inch dia. While I was getting an oil change I picked up a catalog. There it was muffler pipe and it comes in 1.75. by 10 foot lengths. Since I'm in a large city. I bought a few for $10each. With a hole saw cut into one by stock. I made holes a bit larger so I could put some angle on the tubes. Then glued and screwed the one by to a piece of 2 by stock. I used liquid nails mixed with saw dust to fix tubes in place. These racks have never failed. I give them a shot of WD 40 before storing them.

[Jman]

Hey Tiny, do those make a different sound when launching?

[tinymagget]

Hey Jman. Never thought about it on Fri. will do some testing. and get back to you. Of course being over 60 years old. Eight of them with Zambellie. It would be best if I asked others for their opinion.

[Jman]

Hey Jman. Never thought about it on Fri. will do some testing. and get back to you. Of course being over 60 years old. Eight of them with Zambellie. It would be best if I asked others for their opinion.

Ok, cool. I've heard people make comments in the past about metal tubes making a pretty cool sound vs traditional cardboard, hdpe and fiberglass. Makes since though, I can see where the metal pipes might have higher vibration levels since its a much harder solid material than the other type of tubes which are softer and probably absorb more of the sound generated by a lift charge. I'm just curious. I've never used metal pipes.

[JamesFitts]

A few of the smaller racks I have built. They are pretty light weight since I only used 1X3 lumber and 1 1/4 inch brad nails. So far after 2 years of use they still look new.

543544

[PyroManiacs]

Looks good James!

[JamesFitts]

A few more of my racks. The fanned 50 shot was built last week. It weights in at about 70lbs with the tubes in. Can't wait to see it in action at my show on the 5th of July.
548549550

[PyroManiacs]

Love the spread on that 50! That should cover some good sky.

[PyroJoeNEPA]

Here's your best value, 50 fiberglass tubes for $49.00:
https://www.usfireworks.biz/items/dm20-2-1-75inconsumerfiberglassmortar.htm
I bought a 50 pack of these and they are perfect. Racks are easy to build, or buy.

These are nice quality tubes--made for Dominator. I got 50 last year & 50 again this year. I haven't had any issues with them ---although I only use cans in them--I only shoot salutes in HDPE pipe. Even a little 1.75" salute can make shrapnel out of a fiberglass gun. They are a lot lighter than the HDPE racks!

[PyroJoeNEPA]

Nice build job on the racks James.

[cracker]

Here is my consumer rack that I built myself. The plans were downloaded of the internet somewhere, and the HDPE tubes were bought off of one of the advertisers on this site. Also, NEVER USE PVC!!!!!

I dont screw in my tubes. In fact, I have shot 1.75" consumer, up 6" pro, and have never used a rack where the guns were screwed down.

551

[Pyro k]

If you are looking for mortar racks, I will soon be announcing a new advertiser to pyrotalk that can meet you mortar needs.

I see pyro boom has been added to the list of sponsors! I have ordered from them before and can't say enough good things about them. Good people, good service and best of all good price!

[Jman]

all my racks were built from scrap material...that is why none of them look a like...lol. But they are heavy and solid which is perfect for mass firings.

James, your racks look good, I bet you've enjoyed them.

[Jman]

551[/ATTACH]

Explain to us why

[displayfireworks1]

James did a great job on building his racks.

[JamesFitts]

Thank you all, I still have a few more racks to build. Planning on some V and W styles. I will post some pics as soon as I can. I do have some "poor man" racks, basically 4 on a board and 6 on a board in a V pattern. Does anyone else have ideas for racks using the kit tubes with the bases attached?

[PGH_Pyro]

pvc will fracture (shrapnel shards) in what i know .

[Jman]

pvc will fracture (shrapnel shards) in what i know .


correct. I just thought cracker should have explained why you don't use PVC. Most people don't listen when you say no but if you tell them why you said no and inform them of the consequences they will often heed the warning. Also, PVC is poisonous and its not something you want under your skin or in your blood stream.

[JamesFitts]

Finally finished my racks. Built 2 W style and 2 V style. Also included a pic of my full rack collection.

563564565566

[pyroboom]

Explain to us why

http://pyroboom.com/video/video.aspx?id=PVC

[PyroManiacs]

Cool racks James!

[pyroM!KE]

All my professional racks all the way up to 6 inch are loose.However,I do put rounds of duct tape around the bottoms where they come in contact with the rack so they fit in there pretty snug.Been shooting shows for years and have never had any rack problems. Other than flowerpots LOL.

[spanks_4]

I know this thread is a little old, but I'm curious about what Tiny said about using metal pipe. I can get my hands on a lot of that 1.75" metal pipe and if it works without issues would save me a fortune!

Please post pictures and info Tiny.

[PGH_Pyro]

you dont want to even know how heavy that would be ...

[spanks_4]

I thought about that after I asked lol

[PyroManiacs]

Besides, you really only need to use steel mortars when shooting those real heavy, 4 - 6 ft high 5",6" type multi-break salami shells that the Italians use religiously. So much lift powder it would burst any other mortar tube on lift. :cool:

http://www.skylighter.com/images/how_to/intro-to-shells/professional-cylinder-shells.jpg



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkPZl92AWwM

[hannyh11]

do you know of a site that has plans for different types of rack from 1.75 to 4" it would be a great help