Drayton Manor Set-up discussion

[njmchase]

That's no Justin.... I guess he was the one on the moving coaster!

[blackbat]

It's not me, and no one was on the moving coaster before a discussion ensues about the merits of sitting on a coaster in full flight with a dozen theatrical gerbs going off .

[Arthur]

Seems like a perfectly responsible method of securing large tubes. Secure, single tube to a stake and ties, well separated. No racks to break, no racks to carry which would be heavy! Any single failure would not be catastrophic.

Just a bit difficult on concrete!

I

[Gerry]

Any single failure would not be catastrophic.

It could well be - if any one of those tubes fell after firing and dislodged any neighbouring tubes as yet unfired . . .

May not be seen in the dark - in the smoke, etc etc.

I use stronger cable ties on any single tube - a minimum of 3, and when warranted a seperate one tied looser than the rest and all taped over.

If the tight ones break on firing then the loose one should in theory stay in position and be enough to stop the empty tube falling over.

I wouldnt use single wooden stakes though . . .

Spacing and setup looks fine, but I would use metal stakes plus some form of built in reduncency - ie my extra cable tie/s looser in case the others let go on shock of firing.

[RocketScientist]

Originally Posted by Gerry

It could well be - if any one of those tubes fell after firing and dislodged any neighbouring tubes as yet unfired . . .

Not a problem. This method of fixing (if done properly) is quite strong enough to resist a falling neighbouring tube.

[Gerry]

Maybe so - but still not a fan of using wood to stake anything giving a hefty shock. How many times has anyone hit a wooden stake and it has fractured, or found any split ones after a display.

Just my opinion - not knocking the methods used

[Andy_P]

They use bamboo for scaffolding in the far east... withstands earthquakes better then steel ones apparently.

[Jay]

Can't really comment with my experience level, but looking at the picture does make me a little nervous. A single stake doesn't seem to leave much room for error, or preventing the morter from falling off in the direction of the audience.

For the sake of a bit of extra time, it would seem worthwhile to back them up with a second stake or possibly third in a tripod method.

Still it is difficult to judge from a photo, and I guess the success of the shows is testament to the reliablity of the method.

[Gerry]

Thats true Andy - seen it a few times - but Bamboo does not have the same properties of our 'normal' wood and has great resistance to bending and loads put on it.

Plus it aint wood

As I said - tis all my opinions and not knocking anything here on a photo

[ProPyro]

4-40HD HVY GR STAKES 6PK 4FT 40 - CheapPetProducts.Net

Solves all your problems tbh Try them on a 8" shell - then again maybe not