Wheels

What are they?

Catherine wheels need to be mounted on a long wooden stake. Two metres is ideal for small catherine wheels. Larger catherine wheelsare more effective if placed higher.

How they work

Catherine wheels consist of a cardboard frame to which are attached several small rockets, or "e;drivers"e;. The device is usually attached by a nail to a wooden post. When the burning fuse enters each driver, the propellant burns rapidly to give off gas, which is forced out of the small nozzle to create thrust. This thrust spins the device around its axis. Unlike most rocket propellants (which are designed to lift the rocket up into the air and not give color), the propellant used in wheel drivers burns to produce rich colors, sparks, crackle, etc. Because the wheel spins so fast, it appears that there are "e;rings"e; of fire. When each driver is exhausted, the fire is transferred by another fuse to the next driver, which starts up again and continues the process (usually with a different effect). This usually happens so fast that the wheel doesn't have time to stop spinning.