pvc rocket

7/27/2019 PVC Rocket

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Copyright 2013 by Owen Publications and PVC WorkshopALL WORLDWIDE RIGHTS RESERVED

Photo 1: Hours of Fun!

My nine-year-old grandson and I put together this PVC Rocket one afternoon andlove playing with it. Its simple, easy to make, relatively safe, and veryentertaining.

Our Rocket soars and spirals 20 to 30 feet in the air and returns to us within acouple of feet.

We thought youd enjoy making one, too.

Here are the plans


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Materials

3-inch PVC Pipe3-inch PVC Flat Bottom CapOne 3-inch Diameter Plastic BottleSmall Sheet of -inch StyrofoamBrinkman Universal Push-Button Igniter Kit for Gas Grills, Model 812-7221-S(available at most hardware stores)Can of Hair Spray for the Propellant (most any brand should do)Two 1 -inch Sheet Metal ScrewsTwo Small Alligator ClipsOne Can of Plastic Spray Paint (Optional)Small Can of PVC CementSmall Can of PVC Primer

Plastic Model Glue (see Hot Glue Gun below)

Tools

Hack SawCordless DrillScrewdriver1/16-inch Drill BitHot Glue Gun (or Plastic Model Glue)

Directions

The Launcher

1. Cut the PVC pipe to 12-inches.

2. Cement the cap to one end of the pipe.

3. Paint the pipe if you want to get fancy.

4. Drill two 1/16-inch holes about -inch from the top edge of the cap and atopposite sides of the pipe to start the screws.


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Photo 2

5. Insert the screws so the tips are about -inches apart. (See Photo 3.) Donttighten the screws, but leave the heads about -inch out to attach the alligatorclips. (See Photo 2.)

Photo 3

The Rocket

Grab a 3-inch plastic bottle. It should fit loosely over the pipe. My wife happenedto have just the right size in the cleaning cupboard, which I confiscated. (Shesbeen looking for it, so please dont tell her.) If you dont have one, theyreavailable at most hardware stores in the cleaning supplies section.


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1. Remove the bottom of the bottle with a box cutter or sharp knife.

2. Cut three wings from the Styrofoam. I cut mine on the diagonal 4-inches tall by3-inches wide. Size isnt critical. I also trimmed the diagonal edge with a knife. Asyou can see from Photo 4 the cuts are a bit jagged and crude-looking, but thatdoesnt affect the Rockets performance.

You may want to try other lightweight material, such as balsa wood or foamrubber. I used the Styrofoam because I had a small sheet lying around the shop.Balsa wood wings would definitely look much better.

3. Glue the wings equidistant around the bottle, -inch up from the bottom andslightly twisted. The twist will help the Rocket to spin when launched. (See Photo

4.)

Photo 4

4. Paint the Rocket. Or not.


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The Igniter

1. Take one each of the white and black wires and connect to the igniter followingthe directions in the package. Snip off the other end of the wires and connectthem to the two alligator clips. (See Photo 5.)

Photo 5

You wont need the rest of the parts the came in the package.

2. Test fire by connecting the alligator clips to the heads of the screws. (SeePhoto 6 on the next page.) Push the red igniter button. You should see a sparkarcing between the ends of the screws. If not, adjust the distance between theends of the screws.

Photo 6


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NOTE: You may want to solder an extra length of wire to the igniter wires ifyoure concerned about being too close when launching the Rocket.

Photo 7: Finished Rocket, Ready to Launch

Launching Your Rocket

1. Attach the alligator clips to the two screws.

2. Away from rooftops and trees, shoot a quick blast of hairspray into the PVCpipe. Make sure to aim the spray downward so the fumes get to the bottom.

3. Quickly insert the Rocket over the pipe.

4. Sit back away from the launcher and push the igniter button.


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5. You should hear a medium-loud Pop!and see the Rocket spiral upward.

6. Repeat until youre tired of it.

Alternative Plans

We also made another, smaller Rocket. This time we used a typical bottled waterbottle which fits nicely over a two-inch PVC pipe. The wings are balsa wood.

Since the two-inch pipe is less steady in the upright position, you can make alaunching pad by cutting a hole into a piece of wood and snugging the pipe into itfor stability.

Check it out in Photo 8

Photo 8

Also, we made a PVC Cannon from 1 -inch PVC pipe, one PVC cap, one Elland one PVC connector. I jig-sawed a hole in a scrap piece of plywood to holdthe Cannon steady. Then assembled it like the others above.

However, we didnt add wings to the small soda-pop bottle.

This one, too, is a kick to fire. (See Photos 9 and 10.)


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Photo 9

Photo 10

Tips

Dont squirt too much hairspray into the pipe. About a two or three second blastis enough. Its a good idea to test it for yourself.

I found that after two or three firings, its best to wait a bit before resuming. Imnot sure why, but maybe the hairspray build-up needs to dry.


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Addendum

Theres a guy on YouTube who has made a similar Rocket. You can getadditional ideas from him at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZamaKzm Fk Y.

Or search for How to Easily Make a PVC Rocket on YouTube.

CAUTION WARNING

My grandson did some of the cutting and painting. We both enjoy making stuff.BUT I supervise all aspects of launching.

Do NOT put your face or body parts close to, or over, the PVC pipe launcherwhen igniting the hairspray. It can possibly cause burns or other serious injuries.

Exercise common sense. Please.

Legal Statement

The author and publisher disclaim any liability for personal loss nor will not beresponsible for the use or misuse of any kind of tools, materials, or use of theRocket in any manner.

Also, the Legal Statement at PVCworkshop.comis part and parcel of this plan. Ifyou do not accept any of these terms and the terms found in the legal statementlocated at PVCworkshop.com, do NOT build and use this Rocket. By keepingand using the information and/or plan herein you have agreed to all the termsabove and at PVCworkshop.com.

- end -

Id love to see your version of the Rocket, if you make one. Please send a phototo www.PVCworkshop.com/SubmittedProjects.htm. Or just surf around the sitefor the submitted projects link. Thanks. And have fun!


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Copyright 2013 by Owen Publications and PVC WorkshopALL WORLDWIDE RIGHTS RESERVED

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