Preliminary fireworks list.

Multi Shot Cakes ------------- 2

This year we eliminated the 10" & 12" shells because it seems that you get more bang for your buck with 6" & 8" shells. We also decided to electrically fire all 6" shells & 3" salutes as well as the 8" shells and 1.3G cakes for safety purposes. I feel that salutes are one of the most dangerous fireworks we shoot.

I built a 60 cue firing board for this year's shoot.

Multi Shot Cakes ------------- 16

This year I added 50 more buttons on the firing board, for a total of 110 cues. I guess if we need more in the future, I will add a multiple ground switch.

We also decided to eliminate all mortar reloading during the shows. This limits the quantity of shells we can put up, but I feel that reloading is a danger that we can do without.

Multi Shot Cakes ------------- 17

We have been dividing our shows into several mini shows. ( each one with a short pause in-between and ending with a 1.3 G cake.) Each mini show lasts about 2 1/2 min so the timing of the hand fired racks has been difficult. Over the year I experimented with timing the racks with the use of Visco fuse. I found a high quality - constant burn rate red visco at Skylighter Inc. I then found a dependable method of crossmatching visco to quick match. The problem I have had with cross matching these two fuses has always been the violent burn rate of the Quick Match, which can cause an unreliable fire transfer between it and the visco. The solution for me has been the use of 2" wide metal duct tape at the junction of the two fuses. The advantages of using metal duct tape are as follows:

* The 2" wide tape comes with its own backer so I can pre crosscut 1" X 2" pieces and have a bag full of them ready before going to the shoot site.
* The tape holds the fuse very firmly through out the burn - - and because it does not burn itself, I am not left with bits of burning tape, buckets, or string afterwards.
* The tape seals tightly around the fuse so the burn rate of the visco does not accelerate at the joints, which gives more reliable timing.
* The tight seal also prevents fire from leaking out around the joint, so nearby joints will not pre-ignite.
* The joints are quicker to make than using buckets or string.
* The tape can withstand the July 4th Kansas sun without loosening.

Note : When crossmatching Quick Match to visco, it is important to allow the flame front in the Quick Match to pass through the joint. Example #1 Example #2

Rockets------------------------- 27