Wiley Posted March 9, 2015 Posted March 9, 2015 While spiking some bottom shots for 1.75" cylinders the other day, I found that the only way I could use a half hitch to tie off the string was if I did a lazy spiral up to the top of the shell after putting on the verticals. Unfortunately, this increased the diameter of the reports more than I wanted, and the top end (with the half hitch on it) was bigger than the bottom, which made it a pain to roll a paper casing around the finished report. Is there a way to spike only vertically? I had thought about finishing the verticals, making maybe one wrap around the time fuse, then using a half hitch to tie it off to the fuse. What are other folks doing to achieve this?
nater Posted March 9, 2015 Posted March 9, 2015 This might not be the answer you want, I size the bottom shot former and discs a little smaller so the finished report can be spiked as normal and end up the right size.
Maserface Posted March 9, 2015 Posted March 9, 2015 If you are using a paper core, then you should be fine tying off to the fuse-
Wiley Posted March 9, 2015 Author Posted March 9, 2015 What do you do about the different sized ends of the bottom shot? Mine wound up slightly larger on the half-hitched end.
WonderBoy Posted March 9, 2015 Posted March 9, 2015 For hard walled bottom shots I usually spike the verticals, then wind a couple of turns around the base of the spolette/fuse and finish it with a half hitch. Then I use a tube that fits over the spolette, or a piece of wood to ensure the twine is pressed down against the disk. After that, I apply a nice puddle of hot glue or hide glue around the spolette to fire seal it. WB
Wiley Posted March 10, 2015 Author Posted March 10, 2015 I tried the method I mentioned (and the one that wonderboy posted) and it did indeed work. Built up a nice cone of string around the fuse, which looks like it could be very fireproof with the application of a some glue. I have to pull the half hitch pretty tight to get it to grab; will this hurt the time fuse's performance in any way?
nater Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 (edited) When I spike shells, I make a loop around the bottom, spike the horizontals while winding up and finish it with a loop of string and a half hitch the same as wonderboy posted above. The top and bottom stay even enough that rolling the casing is not a problem. It is all strung tight, I yank hard against my spiking horse without breaking the string. The string is pasted which helps it grab too. I use spolettes and they cam withstand the pulling. I would think the asphalt in time fuse would prevent it from being choked off like QM can. Edited March 10, 2015 by nater
Wiley Posted March 10, 2015 Author Posted March 10, 2015 (edited) Here's a 1.75" nominal bottom shot with the twine tied off around the fuse. Turned out nice. Edited March 10, 2015 by Wiley
psyco_1322 Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 With shells this small you can probably get away with out spiking the BS. If you have a good sealing disk with glue, you could just paste the entire BS with a few turns of craft.
Wiley Posted March 10, 2015 Author Posted March 10, 2015 I may try that someday, but for now, I think I'll stick with spiking them. I'm still using a nitrate report mix, so the spiking really helps it get going.
psyco_1322 Posted March 11, 2015 Posted March 11, 2015 I may try that someday, but for now, I think I'll stick with spiking them. I'm still using a nitrate report mix, so the spiking really helps it get going. Gotcha
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