Pluggin' Away

The show order is final. The spreadsheet containing the original plan was modified (adding in the impluse-buy extras) and extended by two columns. One column contains the amount of time between electronic ignition and the remaining items in that cue (to determine type, cut length and install of visco fuses), and the other with operator instructions, such as "20 seconds after start of Rainbow Candles".

Looking ahead to the live show, I'll have to pay close attention to what events are occurring to make sure I stay within plan. Though I have some memory of individual items based on past experience and/or watching them on YouTube during the planning phases, the key will be noting when they start and end. Worst case scenario (operator distraction, visco failure) is a couple of seconds pass without any action - and the very next cue is ignited with the press of a button. Duds, whether firework or e-match, are worrisome. If an e-match is bad there will be a delay while the cue is manually ignited. It may be skipped over depending on what it is. A dud firework is almost worse. If a solo, there may be up to 30 seconds of silence while the visco continues to amble its' way to the next item. Worse still would be a dud firework at the start of a cue; it may be difficult to tell whether the fault lie with the e-match or the firework without cautiously approaching ground zero for a look.

No real sense in worrying about this, I have to remind myself that this show format is essentially a first time effort.

The stats in the plan are interesting; there are 80 different events (not counting multiples) containing 437 items, with 3,038 individual shots. 264 of these items are either air bombs or candles. There will be no more than a 2-3 second break over a seventeen minute and fifteen second show. We shall see how close this is kept to.

The weather forecast continues to be positive, with little change from yesterday's. I'm pleased that Sunday is no longer book-ended by a potentially rainy Saturday and Monday.

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Cake racks are prepared using a simple method. Bottoms are removed on each, and they are glued with PL (construction adhesive) in the marked out areas on each pallet rack. I had previously drilled holes where visco will run to each fuse from the cavity below the pallet deck. The paper wrap at the bottom of a cake is typically flimsy and will not hold a cake to the surface in the event it is knocked. Adhesion directly to the inner tubes is required. PL will glue almost anything to almost anything.


A couple of racks have all items mounted. In some cases a items can't be glued down, it would restrict access to the fuses. Adhesion will be completed at time of visco connection.


Wedge shaped shims are utilized to angle some mortars. these are fastened to the rack deck with screws.


Some housekeeping will be in order tomorrow; the workshop is trashed. I'll need some room for the racks, after they are mounted there's no tipping them onto their side to save room. Tomorrow I will check if I can obtain a trailer as well. I don't think all these would fit in the truck.

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