From: Subject: buildshell Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2007 01:34:34 -0800 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="utf-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://web.archive.org/web/20040908211109/members.aol.com/pamatpct/buildshe.html X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3028 =EF=BB=BF buildshell

Building a paper ball=20 shell... (in basic = terms)

 

=20 The inside of an = aerial shell=20 can look as simple as the photo here to your left, or it can look as = complex as=20 well you know! We will take a look at the construction of a=20 basic aerial shell. By basic = I mean a=20 red chrysanthemum. The time fuse penetrating the bottom of the lower = hemi in=20 most cases will have a flash bag/tube affixed to it. This is where the = initial=20 burst takes place.

Now the=20 burst charge is loaded into the two hemis. When doing this you must be = careful=20 keep the stars/effects from tumbling down. Tissue or rice paper can be = used for=20 ease and management of the burst charge. It is also very common to add = an amount=20 of common 70/30 flash powder to the core of the two hemis and work it = carefully=20 into the burst a bit. This will produce a much appreciated=20 report/break.

The=20 shell is carefully closed, and packed very tight. The shell is then = simply=20 sealed at the center with a few passes of quality tape. The shell is now = ready=20 for pasting.

Pasting is done with wheat paste and = quality kraft=20 paper. It is done in a series of layers - allowing each layer to fully = dry=20 between pastings. Some, for added compression during break, will also = paste in a=20 layer or two of the commonly found gummed packaging tape. This tape has = a very=20 strong nylon web sandwiched between it and acts as a rope or cord = holding the=20 shell tightly closed.

The time=20 fuse is then pierced or cut and a piece of black/bare match is added, = this is=20 called cross matching and serves as surefire. In some cases you will see = shells=20 with two fuses protruding the lower hemi, and in that case both fuses = are cross=20 matched.

 

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