Joe Zastrow's 
Collapsible Firework Launching Stand

 

Document and pictures © copyright 2003 by Joe Zastrow.

This page describes an easy-to-make collapsible fireworks stand that can be used to hold a pole to which wheels, saxons, waterfalls or California candles can be attached.  When ignited with quick match such arrangements make spectacular results (see pictures below).

Materials

- piece of plywood at least 12" x 12" and  0.75" thick   
- four 2.5" 90 degree brackets with screws   
- 2' long PVC plastic pipe (1.5" inner diameter)   
- one 1x2, 6-8 feet long   
- Some bricks 

PROCEDURE

Measure to find the center of the 12x12 board. Stand the pipe at this location. Carefully place the brackets evenly spaced around the pipe. They should be ninety degrees to each other. With a pencil mark the holes for the brackets on the pipe and the board. Drill about 1/8" tap holes in the board and pipe. Loosely screw the brackets to the pipe. Line up the brackets on the board and if needed use a level to make sure everything is level. Go around several times gradually tightening the screws and keeping the pipe level. Sand and paint the wooden base with "Latex Enamel Porch and Deck" paint or cover it with the very heavy aluminum foil found in pans of frozen pies and cakes.  You now should be able to slide the 1x2 into the pipe. If it goes hard, don't force it too much. It much easier to push the 1x2 in than it is to pull it out. Besides, if it does not go all the way down, you will have a taller stand. If it slides in too easily you can wrap some duct tape around the 1x2 at any point to make it stick better. This also lets you choose how high you want the stand. You can attach a wheel, saxon, California candle to the 1x2 before you stick it into the pipe. Place some bricks or heavy weights on the 12x12 board to make it sturdy and less susceptible to falling over. If you make two stands, you can put a nail or eye hook at the tops of the 1x2s and run a rope or wire between them. You can then attach your waterfall to the rope or wire. Please note, one of the reasons I used a 12x12" board and a 2' pipe is that this will store very nicely in a 30 gallon trash can. I store other fireworks holders and material in the can too. When it comes times to do a show, I will place a fireworks station (2x4' board or metal plate) on top of the trashcan. I then place fireworks on the station. This will make the fountains be closer to eye level and they appear to shoot much higher because they are up a few feet higher. Also, the sparks from the fountains have further to drop before they reach the ground, which is a nice effect.


Here's a few pictures of the thing in action.  NOTE:  Do not ignite this device close to buildings or flammables.  The angle at which these photos were taken only makes it appear as if the stand was right next to the house.  Click here to see a video clip.

PyroUniverse.com and all of its contents are © 2001-2004 by Colin Bradley.  Individual pages can be printed out for your own personal use, but may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of the author.