Racks

[liame]

I was wondering what you all thought about some of the racks that are for sale out there made with MDF or particle board bottom (cross brace/side holder)opposed to an actual piece of dimensional lumber (same as top cross brace/side holder) I have not used one my self and im not sure if i would feel safe using one. am i being over cautious or paranoid?

[MontanaMike]

I don't think I would trust a particle board base. I'd say if you buy a rack and it has particle board in it, just put another "layer" of real lumber in the bottom of the rack -- that is if it doesn't make the mortars stand out of the top too much. If it does, then just dissassemble the rack and sub in the real lumber.

Especially important if you're using a rack that has a lot of mortars in it and you set several off at the same time. All our racks are from Pyroboom and they have real lumber in the base.

[215less]

I don't think its a good material to use. Biggest reason is because if MDF or particle board get wet, it swells and could cause the rack to twist or break. Now that depends on thickness but i feel that even with thicker pieces, it will still swell over time..

[natedogg284752]

If you have a saw and a screw gun. 2x3 and 1x4 is all you need. Get the cheap lumber and just pick out the straight pieces you desire. very strong. and probably just as cheap if not cheaper than what your going to buy after they ship em. my experience anywhere you look they want a arm and a leg to ship racks.

[liame]

If you have a saw and a screw gun. 2x3 and 1x4 is all you need. Get the cheap lumber and just pick out the straight pieces you desire. very strong. and probably just as cheap if not cheaper than what your going to buy after they ship em. my experience anywhere you look they want a arm and a leg to ship racks.

got it ill build mine...now to find or design plans.

[Capt.Rob73]

I recommend picking up some pallets, there free and made from hardwood. I recently built many racks with pallet wood and there are very solid. If anyone needs advice on disassembling pallets, PM me.

[liame]

pm sent Capt.Rob73

[chriskrc]

I recommend picking up some pallets, there free and made from hardwood. I recently built many racks with pallet wood and there are very solid. If anyone needs advice on disassembling pallets, PM me.

That's a great idea. I can grab pallets where I work and never thought about using them.

[Northern Sky]

As a general rule; don't use hardwood as it tend to split easily. MDF is used on the bottom rail so it can break out with a Kato for one or two mortars and stay in place for the remainder of the rack. 1X will split. It is generally used for the bottom rail only as that is where most of the Katos take place.

[PGHBoom]

I made mine using this You Tube video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p7J4HV4Gak

http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=1475&stc=1

[Capt.Rob73]

Here's some pics of racks I recently constructed used pallet wood. The rack with the greenish tubes was built with mortars from a case for 60g canisters shells.



http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag401/CaptRobb73/my%20pics/20160915_124346_zpsyqeilvci.jpg (http://s1374.photobucket.com/user/CaptRobb73/media/my%20pics/20160915_124346_zpsyqeilvci.jpg.html)

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag401/CaptRobb73/my%20pics/20160915_124416_zps2o6z0dnr.jpg (http://s1374.photobucket.com/user/CaptRobb73/media/my%20pics/20160915_124416_zps2o6z0dnr.jpg.html)

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag401/CaptRobb73/my%20pics/20160915_124511_zpsaxchmooo.jpg (http://s1374.photobucket.com/user/CaptRobb73/media/my%20pics/20160915_124511_zpsaxchmooo.jpg.html)

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag401/CaptRobb73/my%20pics/20160915_124520_zpszbg4hph1.jpg (http://s1374.photobucket.com/user/CaptRobb73/media/my%20pics/20160915_124520_zpszbg4hph1.jpg.html)

[Westpapyro]

I make mine like Pyroboom does,
Our super-strong racks are constructed with a solid wood 2X (made from a 2x3 or 2x6) bottom. The bottom rail is constructed of 1/2" OSB to prevent complete failure of the rack if a shell failed to launch (flowerpot). The top rail is constructed of 1/2" plywood (sanded 4-ply) cut with the grain. The bottom and top rails are also attached with staples, exterior grade screws and wood glue.
Osb bottom and plywood top with 2X3 lumber using nail gun, glue and screws. Once you have a rack explode on you, you learn quickly to do it this way!

[primetime347]

I just built a bunch of 10s and 20s racks for 200 tubes. I would post pictures but I just deployed back overseas. I used 1x4 and 2x3 plywood. The 2x3 was the frame and then the 1x4 was for the sides, both top and bottom. I put 1 inch screw eyes on each end of the racks so I can drive rebar into the ground securing them from tipping over. I pre-drilled all screw holes before screwing everything together so the wood will not crack. I also bought the 200 tubes from Pyroboom which comes standard with a wood plug with 2-3, 1 inch wood stables in the plug. I put 2 more 1 inch screws into the plug. Is that over doing safety?

I am also thinking that when I get home, I want to spray a wood sealer on the bottom and inside the tubes to help protect the longevity of the wood plugs. What do you guys think?

One more question. How many times would you use a mortar that comes with Excal shells if you only use the mortar 2 times a year? How long will it last or does anybody recommend a certain amount of shells going through it?

[jamisonlm3]

One more question. How many times would you use a mortar that comes with Excal shells if you only use the mortar 2 times a year? How long will it last or does anybody recommend a certain amount of shells going through it?I was talking to a guy that does shows locally. He had small racks made with Excalibur mortars. During the summer here, he does a bunch of shows for a local park. The mortars I saw were the older kind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kM0YitElXb4). Judging from that, I think they'll last for years. Since they're one piece HDPE, unless a shell destorys them or a human damages them so that they can't be used, they'll last a good long while.

[displayfireworks1]

That top board over the mortars has to be a hard cut. Nice carpentry skills.

[Capt.Rob73]

That top board over the mortars has to be a hard cut. Nice carpentry skills.

Thank you for the compliment, I've made a template that I use to drill pilot holes, than use a hole saw from there.

[djsmurf]

Here's some pics of racks I recently constructed used pallet wood. The rack with the greenish tubes was built with mortars from a case for 60g canisters shells.



http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag401/CaptRobb73/my%20pics/20160915_124346_zpsyqeilvci.jpg (http://s1374.photobucket.com/user/CaptRobb73/media/my%20pics/20160915_124346_zpsyqeilvci.jpg.html)

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag401/CaptRobb73/my%20pics/20160915_124416_zps2o6z0dnr.jpg (http://s1374.photobucket.com/user/CaptRobb73/media/my%20pics/20160915_124416_zps2o6z0dnr.jpg.html)

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag401/CaptRobb73/my%20pics/20160915_124511_zpsaxchmooo.jpg (http://s1374.photobucket.com/user/CaptRobb73/media/my%20pics/20160915_124511_zpsaxchmooo.jpg.html)

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag401/CaptRobb73/my%20pics/20160915_124520_zpszbg4hph1.jpg (http://s1374.photobucket.com/user/CaptRobb73/media/my%20pics/20160915_124520_zpszbg4hph1.jpg.html)

Interesting way to do it, are the HDPE tubes drilled all the way through the bottom board or just partially?

[Capt.Rob73]

Interesting way to do it, are the HDPE tubes drilled all the way through the bottom board or just partially?

The bases are 2x4's drill all the way through with a oak 1x4 under that.

[Westpapyro]

I am curious how it would hold up on a Cato? Ever think about loading a canister upside down and see if rack holds together?

[ras1986]

I have about 150 mortars that are all steel. Just weld each pipe to the next. I haven't been able to blow one up. I put a salute in one to see what it would do.... nothing

[ilovecrackle]

I am curious how it would hold up on a Cato? Ever think about loading a canister upside down and see if rack holds together?

That was my thoughts but I was keeping my thoughts to myself. :p

[Capt.Rob73]

I am curious how it would hold up on a Cato? Ever think about loading a canister upside down and see if rack holds together?

I myself are not curious enough preform this test, but I am willing to build and sell a rack to you for testing. PM me if you'd like to make a purchase.

[liame]

I myself are not curious enough preform this test, but I am willing to build and sell a rack to you for testing. PM me if you'd like to make a purchase.

Ok i got lost at the Cato, part but i may take you up on the offer depending on what Cato means/if i can.

[jamisonlm3]

I've been wondering that too. I've been thinking it means catostrophic failure.

[displayfireworks1]

Catastrophe At Take Off. A military term originally used to describe the sudden explosion of a rocket-propelled device shortly after it has activated.

[liame]

ill give it a try give me a week or so to get everything and build it

[liame]

I made mine using this You Tube video.

i decided to use this video to make a rack hopefully i can make a few more before my New years show thank you for all the help and input you all provided. (sorry it took so long and brought up an old thread. life gets in the way sometime)

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[cptnding]

i decided to use this video to make a rack hopefully i can make a few more before my New years show thank you for all the help and input you all provided. (sorry it took so long and brought up an old thread. life gets in the way sometime)

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Nice looking rack

[Crab107]

Yep..good looking rack liame. I just built 4 of those!! Not a pretty as yours due to my lack of mechanical experince but they will hold up

[liame]

Yep..good looking rack liame. I just built 4 of those!! Not a pretty as yours due to my lack of mechanical experince but they will hold up

I'm sure yours looks just fine regardless of your mechanical experience these are a-lot easier than i thought.

[PGH_Pyro]

i dont think any rack will withstand a cato outside of a rack made from titanium or thereabouts...
i've seen even tepid 1.4 product / shell/rockets destroy racks.

[jamisonlm3]

I like to believe that wooden racks can be made that can survive a cato, but I think the wood itself is the limitting factor. Capt.Rob73 is on the right track in my opinion. Space the mortar tubes out. If there is a cato, that space between the rack and mortar tube can help prevent damage to the rack. For 1.3 stuff, I've heard of steel racks that are made to servive a cato. To make a wood rack that can, I think it would be very heavy and difficult to move by hand for all but the smallest 1.3 fireworks.

[liame]

i should have clarified this is for 1.4 shells if i were to make it for 1.3 there would be space between each tube. i have seen steal racks survive a 3" cato.

[PyroMaster]

Yeah if you are doing 1.3 you'll definitely want to go steel, but your rack looks great!

[Crab107]

Hey Liame. I tested my rack last night (built the same one as yours). I series wired 10 can shells and sent them all up at the same time. Rack held up just fine.

[liame]

Hey Liame. I tested my rack last night (built the same one as yours). I series wired 10 can shells and sent them all up at the same time. Rack held up just fine.

regular 1.4 shells (60gm or less?) or 1.3?

[Crab107]

1.4 buddy..im not that advanced 60g commander in cheif from wfboom

[liame]

1.4 buddy..im not that advanced 60g commander in cheif from wfboom

lol im there either yet but its good to know it will hold those shots

[Capt.Rob73]

I've been busy building racks this winter.

http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=1750&stc=1

[jamisonlm3]

Nice! I hope I can one day make enough racks to shoot artillery shells by the case like you. I recently picked up a box of Excalibur to test out for the new year. Now I can test my little 3 shot rack with them.

[RalphieJ]

I have about 150 mortars that are all steel. Just weld each pipe to the next. I haven't been able to blow one up. I put a salute in one to see what it would do.... nothing

Steel should NEVER be used for salutes.

[PyroManiacs]

Steel should NEVER be used for salutes.


http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/archive/index.php/t-3486.html

[Capt.Rob73]

Nice! I hope I can one day make enough racks to shoot artillery shells by the case like you. I recently picked up a box of Excalibur to test out for the new year. Now I can test my little 3 shot rack with them.

Having the racks definitely makes it nice. I use a combination of slow and fast fuse to make little shows.