get well soon

Question for the Sigforum brain trust. How do I make the multiple launch box fountains safer for our cul-d-sac?

Obviously, the ultimate safety mitigation is not being outdoors the two times a year Texans go nuts with fireworks.

I've previously made the mortar tubes safer. A few years ago, we had a mortar tube tip over, launch into the crowd, and one guy was hit in calf. I fixed that safety issue by screwing 4 mortar tubes to a four foot long 2x8.

Not sure how to make the damn multiple launch box fountains safer. Perhaps make a 4-sided surround out of 2x12s? That way if one tips over or starts shooting out the side it hits the 2x12 box rather than heading toward people.

Something like this??

No, I've already made the mortar tubes safer.

The multiple launch box fountains are like this:


The kid lit the fountain box, it started burning out the side (i.e. abnormal), it flipped on its side, and started shooting everywhere as it spun. The problem is they're all shapes and sizes.

Sorry you got hit, glad the family came over to step up about it and apologize. ERJ that looks interesting for the tubes, I've done something similar to Tatortodds mounting the tubes to a 2x4 with longer cross mounted 2x4's at each end to stabilize it.

The boxes are another issue, we push them back into area/corner where the flat legs meet the main bar for the tubes but since they are all different sizes it's difficult to have a set area,

Think next year we'll run a second 2x4 next to the rail for the tubes and set the boxes inside that area.

A cut-down 55 gal. oil drum, perhaps?

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
No, I've already made the mortar tubes safer.

The multiple launch box fountains are like this:

The kid lit the fountain box, it started burning out the side (i.e. abnormal), it flipped on its side, and started shooting everywhere as it spun. The problem is they're all shapes and sizes.

Need something like a Christmas tree stand that's adjustable.
Some kind of X base with 4 threaded 'clamps' so it's functional for different shapes/sizes

Wow. The money doesn't sound too bad but the burn...!

I'd be pissed at whoever was tending the fireworks.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
I'd be pissed at whoever was tending the fireworks.

They weren't part of our group in the cul-d-sac. It was a neighbor 3 driveways down from the cul-d-sac.

Assuming they're being honest, they were a decent distance away (unfortunately, the exact distance the explosion at the peak occurs) from us and the step dad oversaw the 8 or 9 year old lighting it. It was a defective firework. No real beef with them other than taking 18 hours to talk to me.

Our group in the cul-d-sac lights box fountains closer than that and I'd really like to make it safer.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Think next year we'll run a second 2x4 next to the rail for the tubes and set the boxes inside that area.

I don't think a 2x4 is tall enough.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
A cut-down 55 gal. oil drum, perhaps?

This has possibilities. Probably cut the sides to be 18" to 24" tall which makes it easy to light but still protects against tip over. Lighter and less flammable than 2x12 lumber too.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
A cut-down 55 gal. oil drum, perhaps?

This has possibilities. Probably cut the sides to be 18" to 24" tall which makes it easy to light but still protects against tip over. Lighter and less flammable than 2x12 lumber too.

Rather than cut the whole thing down that far (a recip. saw with the right blade should make short work of that--then smooth the edge with a file and sandpaper), perhaps just cut a lower narrow access on one side? Or even a porthole you can reach through?

I think you'd want it to be tall enough such that, if the firework did tip over in the barrel, anything escaping would be inclined to be going up, rather than over?

Just a reminder to be very careful. A good friend of mine was cleaning up after a back yard fireworks show. He went to sweep up a 3 inch mortar and it was a hang fire. It detonated striking him in the face, very nearly killing him. Cracked his skull and he lost an eye. They are no joke.

Saw my PCP today. He was pleased with the healing so far and the only tweak is to spend a part of the day with only silver sulfadiazine cream and a loose fitting shirt (i.e. no bandages). I'm on vacation this week so I'm going to spend the day like that and then wear bandages for bed.

Told ya that stuff works!!!!!

Glad you're on the mend.
Let's get out for a ride/drive once you're healed up & the weather's decent!

For immediate First Aid for burns , Water-Jel is the way to go . .