To those in the United States:



Celebrate and Party & Stay Safe!
A special thanks to the Military that made all this possible.

_____________________________________________________

Happy 4th of July to everybody else, and Happy 5th of July to those the other side of the International Date Line.
(I guess I've included everyone)

A big 'ditto' from me.

I recommend the film "America" as an exceptionally appropriate film to go see this holiday. It should have opened yesterday at a theater near you. (With the other films expected to be released soon, I don't expect "America" will play for more than one week).

The film is about what makes us special- and how the world would have lost out had there never been an America.

Ironically, many of those who read this post will return to work Monday - and enthusiastically resume doing their utmost to make America "just like everyone else."

Think about that, the next time you argue for more rules, more bureaucrats, more licensing. Then ask yourself: Just how did we make it this long without them?

I'd wish everyone a good time celebrating with the traditional fireworks and BBQ's ... except that BOTH are illegal in some places. Heck, some places even object to your putting out the Flag. Now, there's something to really think about.

I just left the theatre and must second renosteinke's thumbs up.

We are going to make a big bang.

http://gfretwell.com/ftp/july4.wmv

Thirteen 500 gram "cakes", 17 2" mortars fused to run about 7 minutes, glued down to a 2x8 plywood plank. (Light it and run)

That's ultra impressive, Greg.

It came off great. The camera was not aimed right at the beginning but I got the bursts in frame a little ways in.
If I do this again I need to film from farther away to get it all in. I was 100' away as it was.

http://gfretwell.com/ftp/Fireworks%20July4%202014.wmv

Nice!!!
Your stockpile up here would possibly get you an unwanted visit.

Superb display! Thank you.

Nice Cakes and Shells!!!

It has been many Years since We purchased any "Fun Stuff"...
We used to Drive to a City in South West Nevada - bordering Death Valley, to make our "Fun Stuff" purchases.
This City has an abundance of Brothels and Firework retail Stores.
The City's Name rhymes with what the Governor's Staff said in "Blazing Saddles":
Governor: "I didn't get a 'Hurrumph' out of that Guy"
Headley Lamarr: "Give the Governor a 'Hurrumph'"
Guy: "'Hurrumph'"
Governor: "You watch your A$$"

--- [end Blazing Saddles mode] ---

This Year, as has been common for several past Years, we did not participate in the Discharging of Pyrotechnical items, just observed the luminous displays provided by others.
The Ratio for "Legal -vs- Illegal" items appears to be on a Linear increase, with the latter of the Two increasing each Year.
In 2012: Persons at the Park next to our House Discharging "Safe & Sane" (i.e.: "Legal") Fireworks, made up 50% of the total Pyrophiles;
In 2013: there were 40% with "Safe & Sane" (i.e.: "Legal") Fireworks, the remaining 60% Pyrophiles having "Unsafe & Insane" (i.e.: "Illegal") Fireworks;
This Year: there were apx. 30% of the total Pyrophiles with "Safe & Sane" (i.e.: "Legal") Fireworks, the remaining 70% Pyrophiles discharging "Unsafe & Insane" (i.e.: "Illegal") Fireworks.

Attached are Two Images of "Unsafe & Insane" fun stuff from back in 2003, showing various size / weight Cakes, 2" Shells, 36" Sparklers, various size Roman Candles, Battery Rockets, Buzz Bombs and Bricks of Firecrackers.

--Scott (EE)

Mortars are a lot better than rockets here because the spent rockets tend to poke holes in the neighbor's screen cages.

The mortars do spray around lots of small bits of paper but they are pretty harmless.

The advantage of doing all of this on a board and fuse timing it is you light it and get away.

The old days stuff was...
Bottle rockets
Sparklers
Firecrackers
Cherry Bombs
Ash Cans
M-80s
Roman Candles

All of which were and still are 'illegal' in NJ

We get everything here that is ATF defined consumer grade but the cherry bomb/ash can/M-80 stuff (federal law after some politically connected girl got killed near DC.
That limit is 50mg of explosive material. (a regular firecracker)
OTOH you can have 130mg in a aerial shell.

In CA, even little ladyfinger firecrackers are banned.
Only Safe & Sane fireworks are allowed.

By contrast, you can buy pounds of black powder with nothing more than a signature and a driver's license.
Go figure

If you have an acetylene rig and some balloons you can rock the neighborhood. Get that cutting torch set up for a good burn and use it to fill the balloons. You can use pretty small ones (cantaloup sized). The trick is lighting them.

The sound is deafening.

If you get up in the large beach ball range, you can break windows.

Back in the day (60s) 'selling' on the local corners, it was basically a game of cat & mouse with the patrol cops.

Worst case was a 'ride' to the precinct station for 'processing'; best case was your 'stash' was taken & you were chased away.

$$$ was worth the risk back then.