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[font="]it has come to my attention that the chinese r making bigger n bigger assortments of festival balls (or “artillery shells” or “reloadables”) but still supplying just one or two measly little mortar tubes for them (virginia, the TUBE is the mortar, not the little thingy u drop down in them what goes boom in the sky—that little thingy is called a SHELL). this leaves u with a lotta shells to reload, which can be slow n boring. so at this time of the year, it is critical that i point out to u several items for you reloadable shells junkies.[/font]
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1. shell size: those shells come in a variety of dimensions n shapes.
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3) buy a ready-made rack.
there is an incredibly well made wooden rack, which holds 6 HDPE tubes in a fan shape, PL3175 Festival Ball Mortar Rack. they have folding stabilizers on the ends to keep them from tipping over, even if the ground is uneven or on a slight slope. they r the best for spreading your shells all over the sky.
4) how to fuse shells?
this answer has two parts.
1- how to connect fuses: this is an easy answer. just tape your two fuses side by side. in the picture below, ¾” wide masking tape is used. the important thing is to have the fuses touching each other inside the tape. the type of fuse shown is called visco fuse.
connecting two visco fuses
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1. shell size: those shells come in a variety of dimensions n shapes.
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consumer fireworks shells r sold as “festival balls,” “artillery shells,” or “reloadables”
there is no standard-sized chinese festival ball. they typically vary from around 1.67 inches in diameter, all the way to 1.88" or more. well, for one u might be asking yourself if u can get extra mortar tubes from sky-lighter. n if u r, u need to know which tube to look for. so, measure the outer diameter (OD) of the largest of your reloadable shells. measure the "widest" part , where the fuse goes around the shell. write that dimension down.
2. mortar options: if u make scrounge your own mortars, do not use PVC pipe. PVC becomes dangerous shrapnel when it shatters. n these shells can n do accidentally explode in a mortar. u would not belive how brittle n sharp PVC can be when it is exploding at u at 500 miles an hour.
to get festival ball mortar tubes from sky-lighter, u have two basic options: cardboard or plastic. if your shells r less than 1.74 inches in diameter, n u wanna spend the least amount of money, u can use TU2100, festival ball mortar tube ($32,43 per 25), 1.75[font="] inches inside diameter, 10 inches long (that is plenty enough). your shell has to be smaller than 1.75" so it will slide down the tube freely. your other option, n your best one, in my opinion is to use Pl3170 high density polyethylene (HDPE) festival ball mortar tubes. these r inustrial-strength, professionally made, wooden-plugged tubes, which should last u a lifetime. u can fire any size festival ball out of these things. tradeoff: they r more expensive, 6 for $24.95.[/font]
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[font="] 3. i got all these mortar tubes; what to do with 'em?[/font]
[font="] let's look at options at a time. before u make anything, make sure your shells fit your tubes. try several. they should drop down the tube freely, by just lowering them holding the fuse. if any r just a little snug, u can often roll the fuse side of the shell against something smooth like a counter top, pressing down on the shell as u do it. try n press the fuse a little flatter. then try n drop the shells into your mortar. when u load your mortars, be sure the shells go all the way down to the bottom. if a shell does not go all the way down, u will either get a low break, possibly injuring someone or starting a fire, or even a flowerpot. a flowerpot occurs when the shell doesn't lift out of the mortar, n explodes in it. both conditions can be dangerous. so make sure, when u load your mortars, that all shells r firmly seated on the bottom of their tubes.[/font]
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[font="] 1) make a cardboard tube mortar rack.[/font]
[font="] TU2100s don't come with plugs in them. forget using plastic bases-most of them blow apart the first time u use them. n no, our paper caps n plugs rn't made for this. here's what u do. get u an adjustable hole cutter/drill/bit. then get u a piece of 2x4 about as long as u want. cut round holes in the 2x4 about 1/2 inch deep just wide enough to hold one mortar tube. they can be holes or grooves. either will work. your tube should fit into the hole snugly. cut as many holes as u want. using white/carpenter's/Elmer's glue, glue yer tubes down into the holes. let 'em dry for a day. u have an el cheapo mortar rack. if u want to reuse your rack next year or after, first dip/roll your cardboard tubes in an oil-based varnish n let dry. this seals 'em up, n keeps moisture from causina them to unravel.[/font]
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[font="] 2) make a milk carton plastic tube rack.[/font]
[font="] see fireworks tips #52,[/font] “El Cheapo 30-Shot Festival Ball Rack” for details on how to make a quick n dirty festival ball rack using HDPE tubes. these make an awesome display. milk cartons can be had at staples and wal-mart. they’re different sizes and can accommodate different numbers of tubes, but 20-30 of our PL3170 mortars is typical.
milk carton morator rack using PL3170 HDPE tubes
2. mortar options: if u make scrounge your own mortars, do not use PVC pipe. PVC becomes dangerous shrapnel when it shatters. n these shells can n do accidentally explode in a mortar. u would not belive how brittle n sharp PVC can be when it is exploding at u at 500 miles an hour.
to get festival ball mortar tubes from sky-lighter, u have two basic options: cardboard or plastic. if your shells r less than 1.74 inches in diameter, n u wanna spend the least amount of money, u can use TU2100, festival ball mortar tube ($32,43 per 25), 1.75[font="] inches inside diameter, 10 inches long (that is plenty enough). your shell has to be smaller than 1.75" so it will slide down the tube freely. your other option, n your best one, in my opinion is to use Pl3170 high density polyethylene (HDPE) festival ball mortar tubes. these r inustrial-strength, professionally made, wooden-plugged tubes, which should last u a lifetime. u can fire any size festival ball out of these things. tradeoff: they r more expensive, 6 for $24.95.[/font]
[font="] [/font]
[font="] 3. i got all these mortar tubes; what to do with 'em?[/font]
[font="] let's look at options at a time. before u make anything, make sure your shells fit your tubes. try several. they should drop down the tube freely, by just lowering them holding the fuse. if any r just a little snug, u can often roll the fuse side of the shell against something smooth like a counter top, pressing down on the shell as u do it. try n press the fuse a little flatter. then try n drop the shells into your mortar. when u load your mortars, be sure the shells go all the way down to the bottom. if a shell does not go all the way down, u will either get a low break, possibly injuring someone or starting a fire, or even a flowerpot. a flowerpot occurs when the shell doesn't lift out of the mortar, n explodes in it. both conditions can be dangerous. so make sure, when u load your mortars, that all shells r firmly seated on the bottom of their tubes.[/font]
[font="] [/font]
[font="] 1) make a cardboard tube mortar rack.[/font]
[font="] TU2100s don't come with plugs in them. forget using plastic bases-most of them blow apart the first time u use them. n no, our paper caps n plugs rn't made for this. here's what u do. get u an adjustable hole cutter/drill/bit. then get u a piece of 2x4 about as long as u want. cut round holes in the 2x4 about 1/2 inch deep just wide enough to hold one mortar tube. they can be holes or grooves. either will work. your tube should fit into the hole snugly. cut as many holes as u want. using white/carpenter's/Elmer's glue, glue yer tubes down into the holes. let 'em dry for a day. u have an el cheapo mortar rack. if u want to reuse your rack next year or after, first dip/roll your cardboard tubes in an oil-based varnish n let dry. this seals 'em up, n keeps moisture from causina them to unravel.[/font]
[font="] [/font]
[font="] 2) make a milk carton plastic tube rack.[/font]
[font="] see fireworks tips #52,[/font] “El Cheapo 30-Shot Festival Ball Rack” for details on how to make a quick n dirty festival ball rack using HDPE tubes. these make an awesome display. milk cartons can be had at staples and wal-mart. they’re different sizes and can accommodate different numbers of tubes, but 20-30 of our PL3170 mortars is typical.

milk carton morator rack using PL3170 HDPE tubes
there is an incredibly well made wooden rack, which holds 6 HDPE tubes in a fan shape, PL3175 Festival Ball Mortar Rack. they have folding stabilizers on the ends to keep them from tipping over, even if the ground is uneven or on a slight slope. they r the best for spreading your shells all over the sky.
4) how to fuse shells?
this answer has two parts.
1- how to connect fuses: this is an easy answer. just tape your two fuses side by side. in the picture below, ¾” wide masking tape is used. the important thing is to have the fuses touching each other inside the tape. the type of fuse shown is called visco fuse.

connecting two visco fuses