Stabalizing Mortars

[Fireworkslvr]

I am about to attach all of my tubes to my rack, and I was planning on screwing them through the bottom of the rack

! ! ! !
! ! ! ! mortars
! ! ! !
! ! ! !
! ! ! !
======== bottom of rack
^ ^
screws

I just realized, however, that I cannot drill through the white plug on the bottom of the fiberglass tubes (Colin's).

I need to know another way that I can attach my mortars to my rack without screwing them in.

I was thinking of using some kind of glue (Gorilla Glue). Would this be a good idea?

Thanks.

[MNPyro]

Don't worry about it....

Just make sure they are "secure" within the walls of the rack, and they will be good. I used 4 racks last year with tubes from Colin, and didn't have one problem. I don't think anyone that has bought from Colin, or any other preplugged HDPE "secures" them in a way you are speaking of. There's just really no need, and if/when you want to clean them or pack them away, the tubes pull out with little trouble.

MNPyro

[Fireworkslvr]

That sounds good, but the only problem is that the walls of the mortar rack are a little too wide (this is the first time that I've made a rack) and so if I put the tubes in they wobble around.

My rack legnth is 24" and I two rows each 2.25" and I have 10 mortars in each row. Each mortar has an outside diameter of 2" and so if you multiply this by 10 you get 20", so that leaves 4" of empty space.

Instead, I put one mortar per every 2.4" and it fits fine. Theres just .4" of empty space in between each tube. If I try it your way the tubes will wobble around upon lighting them. This is why I would like to use some kind of glue to stabalize the mortars so they don't move around when I light them.

I might be able to do what you mentioned, but I would prefer not to take any chances, and glue them down.

Your help is appreciated, even though it may not ne suitable for my rack, MNPyro!

[Deweycoon]

Your mortars need a little room to move.... don't fasten/glue them.
I would redue the rack or cut a wood shim to make up the extra space.

[Fireworkslvr]

Okay, I'll probably just use some thick cardborad or wood to make up for the extra space, that should hold them in a good position.

Thanks for the help.

[MNPyro]

My rack legnth is 24" and I two rows each 2.25" and I have 10 mortars in each row. Each mortar has an outside diameter of 2" and so if you multiply this by 10 you get 20", so that leaves 4" of empty space.


Sounds like you built a nifty 24 shot rack instead of a 20 shot ;) Why not just take a 2.25" long piece of 2x4 and screw her on the the "end" of where the tubes stand...and then go with Dewey's idea with the shimming on the sides...

THEN, next year, or later this year, when you order more tubes(cause we all know you will :redface: ) Buy an "extra" 4, remove that 2x4 piece and you are good to go.

MNPyro

[Fireworkslvr]

Yesterday, I built a board that I can stick into the rack. The board has 20 holes, 10 on each side, and each hole is seperated by .4".


! 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 !
! 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 !
{_______24 in._____}

This way I can just slide this through the middle of the mortar rack, and I can slide my tubes in and out of it quite easily, and the tubes wobble very little.

[Bruce K]

Is there a place online that shows how to buid a rack? I am thinking about 50 tubes. How heavey would that be?

[shrapnel]

Depends on the mortar material, HDPE weighs more than fiberglass, almost 3/4 lb. each for 12" mortar. Also depends on the rack material, I have 30 shot aluminum and wood angle racks that weigh just over 30 lbs each with 12" HDPE so that I can easily carry one in each hand. I believe some one else is selling a 30 shot angle rack made out of all wood that weighs almost sixty pounds! So, you see your question has no real answer, there are too many variables. I suggest using the search button to find rack schematics or check over at pyro-review, i think johnny boom boom has a plan in his gallery, you can also check brothersfan's gallery for pics and ideas on several styles of racks. Most likely someone will pop in here with a link before too long, good luck!

[thecuch]

50 shot rack plans

www.pyroreview.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3809/sort/1/size/medium/cat/500/page/1
www.pyroreview.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3808/sort/1/size/medium/cat/500/page/1
www.pyroreview.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3807/sort/1/size/medium/cat/500/page/1
www.pyroreview.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3806/sort/1/size/medium/cat/500/page/1