Tiger Tail symmetry

[Mosin55]

I have built a few 3 inch canister shells now and I'm looking for constructive criticism. I dont know if I have the right symmetry. When I see other videos on YouTube of tiger shells. Their shells look less full and have a farther spread in the sky. I attached a video to watch.

Edited October 1, 2020 by Mosin55

[Carbon796]

You may be comparing stacked comet shells, to bulk filled cut star shells.

 

The shell in the video, looks like a bulk filled shell.

[Bourbon]

I thought it looked great.

[BetICouldMake1]

If by symmetry you mean the roundness of the break that has more to do with shell orientation than anything. Ball shells look round when they break because, well, they're round. Cylinder shells will look round if they break oriented correctly to the viewer. Basically you wand the end disk pointed right at your face. That's why a certain well know rocket maker calls his rockets orientation devices. When mounted on a rocket you can ensure the shell breaks right where you want it.

 

In terms of star density and spread it's just a question of star size. Bigger stars will travel further, but you can't fit as many in a shell. Alternatively you could use a slower burning formula like tiger willow.

 

I thought your shell looked great.

[Mosin55]

I thought it looked great.

Thank you.

[Mosin55]

If by symmetry you mean the roundness of the break that has more to do with shell orientation than anything. Ball shells look round when they break because, well, they're round. Cylinder shells will look round if they break oriented correctly to the viewer. Basically you wand the end disk pointed right at your face. That's why a certain well know rocket maker calls his rockets orientation devices. When mounted on a rocket you can ensure the shell breaks right where you want it.

 

In terms of star density and spread it's just a question of star size. Bigger stars will travel further, but you can't fit as many in a shell. Alternatively you could use a slower burning formula like tiger willow.

 

I thought your shell looked great.

 

Thanks, I was meaning the star density. I will try another shell with bigger stars.

[Arthur]

Now you criticise your own work, you realise the number of variables in manufacture and their effect on the finished product. As you are making your own you are not competing with the Chinese for some product at very little cost you must work towards the products that you admire and accept the cost. Stars that match in weight and size usually fly out similarly so make a better sphere, spheres come easier from ball shells than from cylinder shells. Mostly cylinder shells get more effects into the sky than ball shells of the same size, but ball shells can be more artistically created. Really good Japanese shells have the stars graded for diameter very carefully to help with symetric bursts.

[BetICouldMake1]

Cylinder shells can also be artistically created, they are stylistically different but no less artful.

[SharkWhisperer]

I enjoyed it so much I watched it 7 or 8 times!

 

If those were first efforts at 3" cylinders then congrats--nice job!

 

Per Arthur and BCM, you can modify various star size/comp/shape/loading configurations to alter your effect as you please. You can also orient your canister bottom to the camera/eye by tilting your mortar (not too much) if rockets aren't handy or your thing.

 

On my screen it looked like your burst happened just a little bit before apogee--maybe add a half-second on the time fuse to minimize slight waterfall effect? Or not--I kinda liked that effect!

[Mosin55]

I enjoyed it so much I watched it 7 or 8 times!

 

If those were first efforts at 3" cylinders then congrats--nice job!

 

Per Arthur and BCM, you can modify various star size/comp/shape/loading configurations to alter your effect as you please. You can also orient your canister bottom to the camera/eye by tilting your mortar (not too much) if rockets aren't handy or your thing.

 

On my screen it looked like your burst happened just a little bit before apogee--maybe add a half-second on the time fuse to minimize slight waterfall effect? Or not--I kinda liked that effect!

Thank you, for the compliment and the feedback. Yes, these are my first efforts at cylinder shells. That was my 5th shell. Next time I will add to the time fuse and see how it looks.

[Arthur]

It's your shell, it's fine. Whatever you make think carefully what made it how it is, then you will make progress to more satisfying shells. Start with cheap easy star comps and then your experiments don't cost a lot, then look to having fancy stars and effects.