Built my first 1.75 rack today

[lawpyro]

Just wanted to share the 12 shot 1.75 rack I built. Mortars were purchased from Pyro Boom. If anyone wants the dimensions PM me.http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=3919&stc=1http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=3920&stc=1http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=3920&stc=1http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=3921&stc=1

[nayslayer]

Nice, I don't think you need spacers for 1.75 though.

[displayfireworks1]

I like the spacers. Then if you want to shoot salutes out of them you will be set. The spacers are large but it will work. When you make more they will need to be exactly that same size. If they are you can stack them next to each-other for a finale

[lawpyro]

Nice, I don't think you need spacers for 1.75 though.

Thanks!, Just playing it safe plus I think it looks a lot cleaner.

[lawpyro]

I like the spacers. Then if you want to shoot salutes out of them you will be set. The spacers are large but it will work. When you make more they will need to be exactly that same size. If they are you can stack them next to each-other for a finale

Thanks Dave, That is the plan. The rack is exactly 4ft and I plan on building all of my racks 4ft so they can be stacked together.

[topshelfpyro]

I would suggest that you use OSB as the bottom side boards instead of solid. OSB will blow out vs solid which will blow the whole piece generally.

[Deanbc]

I too think the spacers are overkill. If you are shooting 1.4 you don’t need them. Adds weight, time to construct and money for additional materials.

[lawpyro]

I too think the spacers are overkill. If you are shooting 1.4 you don’t need them. Adds weight, time to construct and money for additional materials.
Some 1.4 mostly 1.3.

[pyroboom]

Thanks for sharing. We need to see more pictures of mortar racks, but I'm little biased.

[jamisonlm3]

Your racks look solid to me. Did you glue them too? If I were to make them, I'd cut the bottom spacers to no more than 1/2" above the top of the plug in the martars. Same with the two boards on the bottom as well. I'd also add spacers to the 2x3s on the sides. Are you thinking of screwing your mortars to the rack?

[chriskrc]

Nice job on the racks. The spacers do make it look nice.

[Mattp]

sweet!!! i love brand new fresh racks..good idea making them all the same size.. i wish i thought of that when i started making mine... now i have a bunch all different sizes..

[lawpyro]

Your racks look solid to me. Did you glue them too? If I were to make them, I'd cut the bottom spacers to no more than 1/2" above the top of the plug in the martars. Same with the two boards on the bottom as well. I'd also add spacers to the 2x3s on the sides. Are you thinking of screwing your mortars to the rack?

Just used some standard wood glue to help hold it together, I do not plan on fastening my mortars to the rack.

[lawpyro]

Nice job on the racks. The spacers do make it look nice.

Thanks, I thought so too.

[lawpyro]

sweet!!! i love brand new fresh racks..good idea making them all the same size.. i wish i thought of that when i started making mine... now i have a bunch all different sizes..

Thanks! I usually don't plan that far ahead lol

[jamisonlm3]

lawpyro, you should try playing around in Sketchup when designing your racks. That's what I've done. It lets you build them before you bild them.

[lawpyro]

lawpyro, you should try playing around in Sketchup when designing your racks. That's what I've done. It lets you build them before you bild them.

Never heard of it. Thanks Ill check it out.

[Pyro Paul]

I whipped out a few racks last Sunday from some scrap I had lying around.
http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=3924&stc=1

[PyroJoeNEPA]

Just a couple things: as topshelfpyro said, I would use OSB for the bottom side board & limit the height to a half inch above the top of the plug in the mortar tube. Also, I would use plywood [3" strip] for the top side boards. The solid strips will split and splinter if you have a blow out.
Keeping your racks the same size makes for easy storing and efficient setup. I would suggest that you consider two things: 1. Eliminate the spacers--they really are not necessary for 1.75" shell--especially a 1.4g shell. I shoot 1.3g 1.75" salutes out of my racks all the time & they [the 1.75" racks] do not have spacers. 2. If you eliminate the spacers and switch to a 10 tube configuration you can get twice the number of racks out of basically the same amount of bottom and end boards. Making them 24" instead of 48" 24" bottom board, 12" end boards, 24" side boards....much easier to store, carry, set up, etc. You might not think it matters much now, but when your tube count hits 700, 800 tubes your back [and wallet] will appreciate the difference.
We [the company I shoot for] do not use spacers in the 2 1/2" guns either---when we get to 3" then there is a difference.
Overall, your rack looks great for a "first build". Just giving you some "food for thought".

[lawpyro]

Just a couple things: as topshelfpyro said, I would use OSB for the bottom side board & limit the height to a half inch above the top of the plug in the mortar tube. Also, I would use plywood [3" strip] for the top side boards. The solid strips will split and splinter if you have a blow out.
Keeping your racks the same size makes for easy storing and efficient setup. I would suggest that you consider two things: 1. Eliminate the spacers--they really are not necessary for 1.75" shell--especially a 1.4g shell. I shoot 1.3g 1.75" salutes out of my racks all the time & they [the 1.75" racks] do not have spacers. 2. If you eliminate the spacers and switch to a 10 tube configuration you can get twice the number of racks out of basically the same amount of bottom and end boards. Making them 24" instead of 48" 24" bottom board, 12" end boards, 24" side boards....much easier to store, carry, set up, etc. You might not think it matters much now, but when your tube count hits 700, 800 tubes your back [and wallet] will appreciate the difference.
We [the company I shoot for] do not use spacers in the 2 1/2" guns either---when we get to 3" then there is a difference.
Overall, your rack looks great for a "first build". Just giving you some "food for thought".

Appreciate all the info! Any chance you have dimensions for bigger racks?

[PyroJoeNEPA]

Appreciate all the info! Any chance you have dimensions for bigger racks?
All of the 1.3 racks we use with the pyro company are 48" wide so they can be assembled in "pods". That way the 3", 4", etc. can be put together if needed for stability....although that rarely is the case. Guns are most often kept in pods of the same calibre.

[PyroManiacs]

General rule of thumb for 48" wide racks, you should be using 10 guns for a 3" rack, 6 guns/4" rack, 5 guns/5", 4 guns/6".

[lawpyro]

General rule of thumb for 48" wide racks, you should be using 10 guns for a 3" rack, 6 guns/4" rack, 5 guns/5", 4 guns/6".

Awesome thanks!

[joewad]

General rule of thumb for 48" wide racks, you should be using 10 guns for a 3" rack, 6 guns/4" rack, 5 guns/5", 4 guns/6".

The "rule of 10" will work for 3-6 inch but I had to go with only 3 in the 6 inch rack. I've smartened up 2 hernias later.

[lawpyro]

Second Pyro Boom order 1.75, 2inch and 3inch Took some advice from those who commented and removed the spacers on the 1.75 rack.http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=3932&stc=1http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=3933&stc=1

[Deanbc]

Looks much better.

[PyroManiacs]

Now there's some perrtty racks.

[lawpyro]

Thanks! I Plan on building more tomorrow. I know some said to use OSB for the bottom side board. Ill have to try that when I need more wood, just trying to use up what I have on hand first.

[Big Worm]

Nice job!!! Thats exactly what my racks look like, 12 mortars per rack no spacers.:D