16 Inch Round Shell Construction

Tells you in detail how large caliber shells are made. From laying in first stars to final pasting in, the entire process is demonstrated along with plenty of tips and questions answered by shellmaker Derek Zibell. 83 minutes.

16 Inch Round Shell Construction

Tells you in detail how large caliber shells are made. From laying in first stars to final pasting in, the entire process is demonstrated along with plenty of tips and questions answered by shellmaker Derek Zibell. 83 minutes.

6-Inch Ball Shell Construction

Dave Stoddard demonstrates how round plastic shells are made, from selection of materials, right through to attaching the quickmatch leader. Dave begins with stars, discussing differences and decisions. He shows some tricks for making cut stars, for using willow stars in shells, and how to grind chemicals with a cheap device. Learn how to keep stars from detonating. Primes? He covers differences among H3, whistle mix and their problems. He discusses time fuse, cross match, determining fuse burn time, and making a flameproof seal around the fuse. He shows how to load stars, various effects, layering, making a jig to clamp shells together, and how to snap halves together without spilling the contents. He covers lift cup and finishing, making lift cups, preparing and affixing the leader, finishing, stress relief, and protecting the tip from sparks in the mortar. This video is a perfect companion to Dave Bleser’s Round Stars & Shells book (#BK0135). He even tells how to make coated rice hulls, describing both whistle mix hulls and black powder hulls. This step-by-step method shows you the proper way to successfully make plastic ball shells. 81 minutes.

6-Inch Ball Shell Construction

Dave Stoddard demonstrates how round plastic shells are made, from selection of materials, right through to attaching the quickmatch leader. Dave begins with stars, discussing differences and decisions. He shows some tricks for making cut stars, for using willow stars in shells, and how to grind chemicals with a cheap device. Learn how to keep stars from detonating. Primes? He covers differences among H3, whistle mix and their problems. He discusses time fuse, cross match, determining fuse burn time, and making a flameproof seal around the fuse. He shows how to load stars, various effects, layering, making a jig to clamp shells together, and how to snap halves together without spilling the contents. He covers lift cup and finishing, making lift cups, preparing and affixing the leader, finishing, stress relief, and protecting the tip from sparks in the mortar. This video is a perfect companion to Dave Bleser’s Round Stars & Shells book (#BK0135). He even tells how to make coated rice hulls, describing both whistle mix hulls and black powder hulls. This step-by-step method shows you the proper way to successfully make plastic ball shells. 81 minutes.

A Star Rolling Machine

If you've ever hand-rolled your own round stars, you know what a chore it can be. Or maybe you've been put off by all the fuss and bother of hand-rolling. Now see Tom Perigrin and Harry Gilliam demonstrate a star rolling machine that actually makes it all fun and almost fool-proof to learn the art of rolling stars. Turn it on, throw in some cores, spritz a little water, add composition, and watch those stars grow before your eyes. Color changing and special effects stars are as easy as one-color. Tom shows you how you can use the machine as a composition mixer as well. 45 minutes.

A Star Rolling Machine

If you've ever hand-rolled your own round stars, you know what a chore it can be. Or maybe you've been put off by all the fuss and bother of hand-rolling. Now see Tom Perigrin and Harry Gilliam demonstrate a star rolling machine that actually makes it all fun and almost fool-proof to learn the art of rolling stars. Turn it on, throw in some cores, spritz a little water, add composition, and watch those stars grow before your eyes. Color changing and special effects stars are as easy as one-color. Tom shows you how you can use the machine as a composition mixer as well. 45 minutes.

Ball Shell Construction & Unique Finishing DVD

ROUND SHELL CONSTRUCTION AND UNIQUE FINISHING, recorded at his seminar at the '94 PGI convention in New Castle. Award-winning shellmaker Jim Widmann shows you all about round shell construction and finishing, including lots of hints and tips and insider information. Jim spends a lot of time explaining and showing inner petal construction, something most just mention in passing. Then, after all this great info, Jim demonstrates the unique machine he invented to automatically apply paper to the ball shells. You'll love it! 53 minutes.

Basics of Electric Firing

With 20 years in the pyro trenches, Scott Cartwright knows how electric firing works. He describes the basics in this March 2003 presentation. Do you know the difference between a squib and an electric match? Do you know why single-use duplex wire is best? Do you know the different energy sources that can be used to shoot fireworks? Did you know that different electric matches must be used for indoor vs. outdoor shots? There are lots of solid fundamentals: shrouds, sensitivity, clothing, stray currents, shunting, galvanometers, connections, crimps, splices, and more. These are the things you need to know before you tape in your first e-match. 80 minutes.

Basics of Electric Firing

With 20 years in the pyro trenches, Scott Cartwright knows how electric firing works. He describes the basics in this March 2003 presentation. Do you know the difference between a squib and an electric match? Do you know why single-use duplex wire is best? Do you know the different energy sources that can be used to shoot fireworks? Did you know that different electric matches must be used for indoor vs. outdoor shots? There are lots of solid fundamentals: shrouds, sensitivity, clothing, stray currents, shunting, galvanometers, connections, crimps, splices, and more. These are the things you need to know before you tape in your first e-match. 80 minutes.

Blue Strobe Rockets

Infamous (hide your daughters) rocketman, Doc Barr shows how he produces a blue strobe rocket using GE Silicone II at his seminar at the 1999 PGI convention. Doc leads us on a merry tour through safely producing this spectacular rocket. He even shows you how to make Blue Whizzie stars with leftover comp. Doc gives the Silicone II formula, tells about its impact sensitivity and how to ram a rocket with a comp that is impact sensitive. While showing us how to mix a batch of comp, he tells about his lessons learned: the importance of cleaning the spindle each time, how to granulate the comp, and how to make a nozzle for this rocket. Then he describes his technique for adding a garnishment, and the critical way to fuse this unusual rocket. This is NOT a regular black powder rocket. It takes special techniques and special care. 46 minutes.

Blue Strobe Rockets

Infamous (hide your daughters) rocketman, Doc Barr shows how he produces a blue strobe rocket using GE Silicone II at his seminar at the 1999 PGI convention. Doc leads us on a merry tour through safely producing this spectacular rocket. He even shows you how to make Blue Whizzie stars with leftover comp. Doc gives the Silicone II formula, tells about its impact sensitivity and how to ram a rocket with a comp that is impact sensitive. While showing us how to mix a batch of comp, he tells about his lessons learned: the importance of cleaning the spindle each time, how to granulate the comp, and how to make a nozzle for this rocket. Then he describes his technique for adding a garnishment, and the critical way to fuse this unusual rocket. This is NOT a regular black powder rocket. It takes special techniques and special care. 46 minutes.

Choreography By Computer

Once again, Aaron Enzer leads the viewer in an elaborate visit to the complexities of using a computerized system to create a stunning display of fireworks and music. Aaron is a master at mixing music and fireworks, timed precisely to make emotionally moving fireworks displays. You can learn how to pick music for fireworks to create incredible pyromusicals that will blow your audience away. Companion video to VD0031, Electrically Fired Displays and VD0204, How Computer Firing Systems Work.

Choreography By Computer

Once again, Aaron Enzer leads the viewer in an elaborate visit to the complexities of using a computerized system to create a stunning display of fireworks and music. Aaron is a master at mixing music and fireworks, timed precisely to make emotionally moving fireworks displays. You can learn how to pick music for fireworks to create incredible pyromusicals that will blow your audience away. Companion video to VD0031, Electrically Fired Displays and VD0204, How Computer Firing Systems Work.

Crossette Rockets

Tom Rebenklau, two-time PGI Grand Master, and with 20 years of rocket building experience shows his method of producing his exquisite double crossette (split comet) effects in rocket heads, then tells us how he makes the rocket motors and shell effects. Includes drawings and specifications. Recorded at the Weedsport Summer '96 Fireworks Festival. 83 minutes.

Crossette Rockets

Tom Rebenklau, two-time PGI Grand Master, and with 20 years of rocket building experience shows his method of producing his exquisite double crossette (split comet) effects in rocket heads, then tells us how he makes the rocket motors and shell effects. Includes drawings and specifications. Recorded at the Weedsport Summer '96 Fireworks Festival. 83 minutes.

Crossette Shells

The crossette effect, or split comet, is a beautiful effect that always pleases the crowd. Veteran, precision shell-maker, Phil Martinez, takes you through crossette star construction, then into the details of making a 5" crossette shell-from shot hole shape to lifting the finished shell. Recorded at the 1996 Summer Fireworks Festival in Weedsport, New York. Includes detailed drawings and specifications. 80 minutes.

Crossette Shells

The crossette effect, or split comet, is a beautiful effect that always pleases the crowd. Veteran, precision shell-maker, Phil Martinez, takes you through crossette star construction, then into the details of making a 5" crossette shell-from shot hole shape to lifting the finished shell. Recorded at the 1996 Summer Fireworks Festival in Weedsport, New York. Includes detailed drawings and specifications. 80 minutes.

Cut Stars

Jack Drewes shows you the actual laboratory production of a batch of cut stars, from mixing to ignition. Tells the secrets of making perfect stars with a minimum of toxic exposure to yourself. 45 minutes.

Cut Stars

Jack Drewes shows you the actual laboratory production of a batch of cut stars, from mixing to ignition. Tells the secrets of making perfect stars with a minimum of toxic exposure to yourself. 45 minutes.

Electrically Fired Displays

"I like computers, and I like fireworks" says lead pyro, John Sagaria, in this tour of the complexities of shooting displays with electronic equipment. John's combination of talents shows. He shows how to attach e-matches to shells, visco (including a trick you'll treasure), and cakes. He covers dressing down racks, matching fronts, testing cable, saving money by using clever tricks when wiring and more. He goes deeper and deeper into wiring displays. He shows and discusses apparatus from Delcor, Pyro Magic, Fire One, Pyomate, Magic Fire, and Pyro Pak. 2 hours.

Electrically Fired Displays

"I like computers, and I like fireworks" says lead pyro, John Sagaria, in this tour of the complexities of shooting displays with electronic equipment. John's combination of talents shows. He shows how to attach e-matches to shells, visco (including a trick you'll treasure), and cakes. He covers dressing down racks, matching fronts, testing cable, saving money by using clever tricks when wiring and more. He goes deeper and deeper into wiring displays. He shows and discusses apparatus from Delcor, Pyro Magic, Fire One, Pyomate, Magic Fire, and Pyro Pak. 2 hours.

End Burning Rockets

Rocketman guru Steve LaDuke developed and shows how to make this extremely short-cored rocket which has incredible thrust. Taped at the 1999 PGI Convention, Steve shows you everything you need to know including equipment needed, formulas, proper mixing techniques, fusing, charging and ramming, mixing different comps for different effects. Includes a one-page insert showing rocket tooling dimensions and composition formulas. 90 minutes.

End Burning Rockets

Rocketman guru Steve LaDuke developed and shows how to make this extremely short-cored rocket which has incredible thrust. Taped at the 1999 PGI Convention, Steve shows you everything you need to know including equipment needed, formulas, proper mixing techniques, fusing, charging and ramming, mixing different comps for different effects. Includes a one-page insert showing rocket tooling dimensions and composition formulas. 90 minutes.

English Holiday Crackers & Other Table Fireworks

English Holiday Crackers, or Christmas Crackers, are those neat little pyro items that you may remember finding at parties when you were a kid. Art Tilford shows how easy it is to make these attractive and fun devices. Using toilet paper cores, decorative paper, a little ribbon, cello tape, and (here’s the secret) BOOBY TRAP pull novelties, Art patiently explains and demonstrates how to put it all together. Taped at the 1999 PGI convention, Art shows you how to have an easy, fun pyro project that cam be a rewarding experience for your whole family. In Art’s second seminar he explains the “indoor fountain”, which is not a fountain at all but merely looks like one. Using party poppers and a paper cone, Art and the spectators put together a pull device that makes a nice pop and then the shooter gets to keep the contents. 65 minutes.

Exhibition Candle Construction

Making roman candles: just a simple star mine shooting a single star, and repeated a few times. What could be simpler? Or is it all that simple? Join Mark Mara as he carefully explains how these large bore candles can be made to function flawlessly and produce extraordinary effects, time after time. Mark will show you how to make 1-1/4 inch exhibition Roman candles that shoot glittering crossettes. About half the video is spent in showing how to make the glittering crossette stars. Mark uses a variety of jigs, fixtures, special tools, and devices that he shows in detail. He even shows you how to make a hydraulic press. Why ram comp when you can press it in this easily built hydraulic press? He shows how to use a torque wrench to make consistently pressed stars. There's much more on this tape than can be described here. 60 minutes.

Exhibition Candle Construction

Making roman candles: just a simple star mine shooting a single star, and repeated a few times. What could be simpler? Or is it all that simple? Join Mark Mara as he carefully explains how these large bore candles can be made to function flawlessly and produce extraordinary effects, time after time. Mark will show you how to make 1-1/4 inch exhibition Roman candles that shoot glittering crossettes. About half the video is spent in showing how to make the glittering crossette stars. Mark uses a variety of jigs, fixtures, special tools, and devices that he shows in detail. He even shows you how to make a hydraulic press. Why ram comp when you can press it in this easily built hydraulic press? He shows how to use a torque wrench to make consistently pressed stars. There's much more on this tape than can be described here. 60 minutes.

Firecracker Factory in China

Visit a Chinese firecracker factory. You can see how firecrackers are made today, from the ground up. See how paper firecracker fuse, visco, and quickmatch are all made. Then watch different techniques and machines making firecracker and larger fuses. Watch the fascinating parts where the tubes are bundled into "hexagons," then deftly cut in half with a big firecracker knife. Then see how the tubes are loaded, crimped, fused, strung, and packaged. Bonus footage shows how bamboo is split for making rocket sticks. Filmed, edited, and narratated by John Werner in factories near Liuyang, Hunan, China. Very high quality digital shooting and editing by John Werner. 40 minutes.

Fireworks in Japan

Unarguably the most expertly made and artistic round (ball) shells in the world today are made in Japan. Most of us never see such shells. But for anyone who aspires to making truly excellent ball shells, seeing what they really can be is an absolute necessity. Until you see how well Japanese shells perform, you will probably only be able to produce mediocre quality shells at best. This video, shot in Nagano in November 2002, presents the ultimate in ball shell fireworks, showing perfect timing, shape, color transitions, and creative potential. You will see beautiful layering of shells, mostly mostly 8 inchers, 10's and 12's. Very high quality digital shooting and editing by John Werner. 59 minutes.

Fireworks in Malta

The Maltese make two truly amazing kinds of fireworks. Huge multi-break cylinder shells, up to 5 break, 10 inch diameter, 180 pound shells! And Irdieden, ground display pieces unique to Malta. You’ll see many pictures of the big shells before and during firing; the unique Maltese lift canisters being attached to shells, close-ups of various size salute inserts with unique Maltese side fusing; firing of multi-break daylight noise shells including the multi-toned, sequentially-timed salute rings; firing of multi-break shells at night with great color; and close-ups of Irdieden and firing. Very high quality digital shooting and editing by John Werner. 49 minutes.

Fireworks in Mexico

In and around Tultepec, near Mexico City, a religious celebration is held, usually in March every year. Part of that event features an array of fireworks, the likes of which is seen nowhere else in North America. thousands of hand fired salute rockets--more volleys of rockets fired in 1 hour than most people will see in a lifetime; Mexican style 8" strobe shells, the best in the world; fantastic, crazy, pyrotechnic bulls run through the streets emitting zillions of stickless rockets which fly everywhere while crazed festival-goers dance and dodge among them; incredible towering daylight castillos with pyro driven mechanical figures, wheels and girondolas; nighttime competition castillos, without a doubt the finest lancework, colors, and effects done anywhere in the world. Ironically, there are very few foreign fireworks enthusiasts in Tultepec every year to see these fabulous displays. Very high quality digital shooting and editing by John Werner. 54 minutes.

Fireworks in Spain

John Werner filmed this great tape March 15-19, 2002 in Valencia, Spain. It features nightly shows by 3 of the leading Spanish firework companies, Pirotecnia Caballer, Pirotecnia Ricardo Caballer, and Pirotecnia Antonio Caballer. In addition he includes the final "Nit de Foc" (night of fire) show, which is a joint effort by all the firework companies involved in the festival. There is an example of an afternoon "Mascleta," a daytime display of precise timing of whistles, ground bombs of all sizes, and volleys of aerial salutes. This is a ten minute extravaganza of sheer power and noise and has no equal anywhere in the world. Guaranteed to make your teeth hurt. The tape includes much of the traditional Spanish costuming worn during the festival and the huge sculptures (Fallas) that are erected and then burned as part of the concluding night of the festival. Very high quality digital shooting and editing by John Werner. 83 minutes.

Girandola Construction

Join Tom Dimock as he takes us on a 2-hour tour and shows how to make this fascinating device. The girandola is one of the most complicated of fireworks, yet one of the most spectacular and rewarding. Learn to construct the drivers. See the materials and methods, frame design and construction, and the very important techniques of fusing, timing, and fuse application. Tom includes a wealth of hints and tips, including a section on making your own charcoal. This is an excellent companion video to Tom's book, The Incomplete Book of Girandolas. 120 minutes.

Girandola Construction

Join Tom Dimock as he takes us on a 2-hour tour and shows how to make this fascinating device. The girandola is one of the most complicated of fireworks, yet one of the most spectacular and rewarding. Learn to construct the drivers. See the materials and methods, frame design and construction, and the very important techniques of fusing, timing, and fuse application. Tom includes a wealth of hints and tips, including a section on making your own charcoal. This is an excellent companion video to Tom's book, The Incomplete Book of Girandolas. 120 minutes.

How Computer Firing Systems Work

Aaron Enzer was the choreographer for the finest display I have ever seen at a PGI Convention, the Michigan Pyrotechnic Arts Guild's show at the convention in Fargo, North Dakota in August 2000. Aaron demonstrates the FireOne™ system and goes into minute detail about the components for the system, how to connect them, cabling, time codes, an estimate of wiring costs, and much more.

How Computer Firing Systems Work

Aaron Enzer was the choreographer for the finest display I have ever seen at a PGI Convention, the Michigan Pyrotechnic Arts Guild's show at the convention in Fargo, North Dakota in August 2000. Aaron demonstrates the FireOne™ system and goes into minute detail about the components for the system, how to connect them, cabling, time codes, an estimate of wiring costs, and much more.

How To Construct Mines

Fireworks professional John Werner shows you how to make mines using five different types of construction: lift-powder bag method, star-bag method, piston method, cup method, disk method, and the standalone tube method. At a seminar given to the Crackerjacks fireworks club in 1998, John demonstrates and then discusses the pros and cons of each method. Later he shows how the various types of construction affect the appearance of a series of mines being fired at night. Finally, he shows how to make fancy multi-effect and layered mines and shows how they look when fired. Includes a reprint of Tom Perigrin's companion article on mine construction. 53 minutes.

How To Construct Mines

Fireworks professional John Werner shows you how to make mines using five different types of construction: lift-powder bag method, star-bag method, piston method, cup method, disk method, and the standalone tube method. At a seminar given to the Crackerjacks fireworks club in 1998, John demonstrates and then discusses the pros and cons of each method. Later he shows how the various types of construction affect the appearance of a series of mines being fired at night. Finally, he shows how to make fancy multi-effect and layered mines and shows how they look when fired. Includes a reprint of Tom Perigrin's companion article on mine construction. 53 minutes.

Hybrid Black Powder Rockets

This is another winning video on rockets from the master himself, Steve LaDuke. A full one hour and forty minute demonstration of black powder rockets that whistle. See the traditional black powder tail, get the expected snort, but now discover the secret to making them whistle. Steve shows you his special nozzle materials, how to avoid “ram jam”, make anti-stick spindles. Learn how to figure stick length and an easy-to-make header tube.

Mini Whistle Rockets

Steve LaDuke shows how to make small whistle rockets. Steve is one of the top pryotechnic whistle rocket makers in the world. He shows how to use a sleeve and why; why you should press whistles and never ram them; using hydraulic and arbor presses; determining the optimum pressing force; the size of each increment to be pressed; differences in potassium perchlorates; use of Vaseline; why nozzles are not used; pros and cons of sodium benzoate and sodium salicylate; how the bulkhead affects the rocket tail; spindle sizes and shapes; detailed demo of making the whistle composition. 78 minutes.

Multi-Break Shell Construction

20 year shell-building veteran Dave Datres gives finely detailed explanations of how multi-break shells are assembled. Special emphasis on pasting, stringing, and great fusing tips. 56 minutes.

Multi-Break Shell Construction

20 year shell-building veteran Dave Datres gives finely detailed explanations of how multi-break shells are assembled. Special emphasis on pasting, stringing, and great fusing tips. 56 minutes.

Multi-Break Small Shells for Rockets

This seminar by three-times PGI Grand Master Tony Petro is a 52-minute tutorial on how he makes canister shells for his award winning rockets. Tony's rockets with multi-break shells are the some of most amazing and beautiful rockets being made in the US today. Full of tricks and tips only an expert on his level can know. Are you interested in making small salutes? The formula for priming fuse? A trick for loading the shell effect on the rocket? A great formula for breaks? Special jigs, rigs, and tools to help make the job much easier.

Multi-Break Small Shells for Rockets

This seminar by three-times PGI Grand Master Tony Petro is a 52-minute tutorial on how he makes canister shells for his award winning rockets. Tony's rockets with multi-break shells are the some of most amazing and beautiful rockets being made in the US today. Full of tricks and tips only an expert on his level can know. Are you interested in making small salutes? The formula for priming fuse? A trick for loading the shell effect on the rocket? A great formula for breaks? Special jigs, rigs, and tools to help make the job much easier.

Palm Tree Shells & Round Inserts

Palm tree shells: the trunk, the palm leaves, the coconuts. A beautiful shell, but one which needs special techniques and formulations. Harvey Mehlos walks us through the construction and inside tips. 54 minutes.

Paper, Paste & String

PGI Grand Master, Dr. John Vico is one of the US best round shell makers around. John thoroughly discusses paper: which kinds are used for what application; how to read the grain and why; why kraft is so useful; sources for kraft paper; virgin kraft vs. recycled. Strings are covered: mason's string; shoemaker string; tarred; waxed; flax; hemp; making tarred string, etc. Paste and glue: vinyl wallpaper paste; pros and cons of using masking tape; hot melt; Elmer's; spray glue; model airplane glue; epoxy; and using foam. John even describes different shell patterns like Warimono and Poka. 88 minutes.