Comet Racks

[Rick_In_Tampa]

For the first time I'm going to use a bunch of 40mm comets and fan slices in my show. I was wondering if anyone makes a rack for something like that? If not, how does everyone else anchor them? The fan slices are all going straight up, so that's easy. But I'd like to shoot the comets at different angles. Does anyone else do this? If so, I'd love to hear how you anchor them.

Thanks!

[Northern Sky]

I have a bunch of aluminium racks. I'll post pictures later from my computer. I can't seem to do it from my phone.

[Rick_In_Tampa]

Much thanks!

[Mattp]

I also plan to use some slices for the first time.. they look so cool!!! If im not mistaken Im pretty sure those 40mm comets are meant to fit into a dr11 size tube.. may be easiest to make a rack angled anyway you like it

[Rick_In_Tampa]

I also plan to use some slices for the first time.. they look so cool!!! If im not mistaken Im pretty sure those 40mm comets are meant to fit into a dr11 size tube.. may be easiest to make a rack angled anyway you like it

Using DR-11 tubes was my first thought. But they are pretty expensive. So now I'm wondering if I can get away with using some 2" PVC pipe to make small tubes just to hold the comets. Or maybe just bore some 2" holes in a piece of wood to set them in. I have lots of bright ideas and 0 mechanical ability to back them up. So I'd like to see what other people do/use.

[PyroJoeNEPA]

Rick--here are some pics for you--we used these wood racks for one shots and then got the adjustable angle aluminum racks.http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2672&stc=1
PGI 2013
http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2674&stc=1
PGI 2016
http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2673&stc=1
PGI 2016

[PyroJoeNEPA]

Here is some info on the little wooden racks--they are very versatile--I used them for one shots, gerbs, strobes, etc.
http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2675&stc=1
http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2676&stc=1
http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2677&stc=1http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2678&stc=1
http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2679&stc=1
These mini-racks have four sections--I am going to make some other ones that have five sections--with the middle one straight up. Project for the winter time!

[Rick_In_Tampa]

OMG Joe! You are soooo getting a Christmas card this year!! Those wooden racks are EXACTLY what I was envisioning. So if I'm seeing what I think I'm seeing, you placed the comet into a cut down DR-11 tube and then zip tied the DR-11 to the rack, yes? Would I be able to use PVC pipe instead? There are no pressure issues to consider with comets is there? What size wood boards did you use? Best I can tell from the pics they look something like 3/4" by 3"?? Am I close?

[PyroJoeNEPA]

OMG Joe! You are soooo getting a Christmas card this year!! Those wooden racks are EXACTLY what I was envisioning. So if I'm seeing what I think I'm seeing, you placed the comet into a cut down DR-11 tube and then zip tied the DR-11 to the rack, yes? Would I be able to use PVC pipe instead? There are no pressure issues to consider with comets is there? What size wood boards did you use? Best I can tell from the pics they look something like 3/4" by 3"?? Am I close?

No tubes required. Those are Dominator one shots--the bottom half of the cardboard tube is black. Look in the first pic I posted--there are two of them laying on the table in front of the rack I am assembling. You only need to zip tie them to the sides. The racks are made completely from "firring strips"--3/4" x 3". No issues with the downward pressure of the one shots. They are pretty sturdy. Also, you can make them up with a steeper angle than that if you want. Or make several with different angles.

[esgrillo]

Rick, stole this from Scott Navis. He posted this pic on Cobra. This is what I am going to make. He used 2x4 and plywood. I think I am going to use 2x3 to increase capacity. Really simple design. He said the spike are landscape nails hit from bottom side. I think I will use something like a lag bolt screwed from the top to avoid a bunch of sharp spikes sticking up. Looks a tad dangerous.http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2680&stc=1

[Rick_In_Tampa]

No tubes required. Those are Dominator one shots--the bottom half of the cardboard tube is black.

Ahhh yes. I see that now. That's even better. No tubes to buy or make.

[Rick_In_Tampa]

Ed - That setup looks downright medieval! From a practical standpoint it looks like a very stable platform to shoot different type of comets and similar devices. Thanks for sharing those pics!

[MtnViewPyro]

Those pics are really neat and good ideas. I've never done this but I seen on YouTube people using pegboard in a u-shaped holder made of 2x3. With the pegboard you can angle the comets or have them straight by zip ties. Thought it was a decent and cheap idea, especially for slices.

[PYRODAN]

http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2684&stc=1

This is how I did my slices. I don't have the handles on it in this picture.

[Rick_In_Tampa]

2684

This is how I did my slices. I don't have the handles on it in this picture.

That's pretty much what I was thinking I'd do. No need to get too fancy with those. Do you do anything to anchor them? Or do you just let it sit?