Drayton Manor Set-up discussion

ambientskies · 2nd November 2009, 3:09 PM

I saw the set-up pic's on Facebook... without getting into a punch-up over this, bit "iffy" don't you think?

RocketRev · 2nd November 2009, 3:25 PM

I reckon any discussion about the set-up of a pro display ought to take place in the Pro Forum. Maybe that's also the proper place for the photo?

ambientskies · 2nd November 2009, 3:27 PM

Yes your right, sorry Rev, but...

Andy_P · 2nd November 2009, 3:34 PM

Moved...

So we all know what's being discussed, should we confirm the setup first?
It looks like individual timber stakes and each tube fastened to it's own stake by two wire ties (baling wire).

ambientskies · 2nd November 2009, 3:40 PM

Just didn't think that was "good enough" for those angles on that size tubes? I would have used at least two road-pins on each.

But what do I know....

Pyro Nut · 2nd November 2009, 3:43 PM

That is what it looks like to me Andy but maybe 3 wire ties. Now it may be perfectly safe to do it that way (Haven't done it like that so can't really say yay or nay) but it is certianly not th way i would have done it.

njmchase · 2nd November 2009, 3:47 PM

This is about the only way that Fantastic layout single shells. A large stake and three wire wraps. It's hard work but does allow the freedom of multiple angles. On the displays I have done for them the same has applied and was the same for their Southport setup.

Andy_P · 2nd November 2009, 5:05 PM

Although it wouldn't be the way I'd do it, I don't see anything inherently wrong with it for single tubes.

In theory, a single tube could almost be supported by rubber bands so long as it was definitely going to stay upright until fired. As we all know, the recoil from a shell is going to be straight down the axis of the tube so with a firm base it should fine, even it it fell over after the shell fired.
The real danger is if you use a single type of fixing for multiple tubes, when the recoil of one tube breaks the ties holding it AND ITS NEIGHBOURS.
I've seen this on tubes I've fixed myself where multiple turns of gaffa have sheared when the tube has sunk into soft ground. If it had been a group of three tubes for example, it could have been nasty. A big shell is also perfectly capable of snapping ty-raps.

RocketScientist · 2nd November 2009, 5:42 PM

I've certainly seen and used this method used on many many shows, usually with a single stake, but in some cases two or even three if more support is required. I typically use three or four wire wraps on this size of tube, and the only problem I have seen is where the wire has been overtightened, and can snap when the shell fires, sometimes letting the tube fall - but after the shell has gone. This was a topic I raised on this forum (though I can't find it right now), and as a result I now avoid overtensioning the wrap. I have not had a single tube fall since.

The key point is the separation between the tubes, which has clearly been observed here. Failure of any one tube is very unlikely to compromise others.

shedman · 2nd November 2009, 10:01 PM

Looks ok in principle to me, but not how I'd have it. Prefer to see tubes of this size in racks. Bigger ones singularly, with at least two stakes. I would have thought wooden wedge packers underneath each tube essential at this angle as the recoil would want to sit the tube upright.

Is that Justin in the pic? I hope you wanted 200 opinions mate