DIY: Wrist Rocket
There are many types of rubber band-powered rockets that hobbyists can build. You can build a wrist rocket that will fire from your hand using the aiming ability and power of of a sling shot. You will need a few common household items, including a rubber band and a metal clothes hanger. Get adult supervision in making your wrist rocket if you are underage, since a cutting tool must be used.
Things You'll Need
- Newspaper
- Metal clothes hanger
- Wire cutters
- Pliers
- 1/2-inch diameter rubber band
- Bonding glue
- No. 2 pencil
- Eraser
Instructions
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1
Cut off the top of the metal coat hanger with the wire cutters. Straighten out the metal coat hanger. Cut a four-inch piece of the metal coat hanger with the wire cutters. Dispose of the rest of the metal coat hanger.
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2
Place the jaws of the pliers in the center of the piece of metal coat hanger. Bend the ends of the piece of metal coat hanger toward each other to form a "U" shape.
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3
Put a sheet of newspaper on a table to protect the work surface from glue. Place the "U" shaped piece of metal coat hanger on the newspaper with the "U" facing up.
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4
Place the loop of a rubber band against one of the ends of the metal coat hanger. Apply bonding glue to the loop to adhere it to the metal end. Let the bonding glue set for three hours.
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5
Apply bonding glue to the other end of the "U" shaped piece of metal coat hanger. Stretch the rubber band over to the other end of the "U" shaped piece of metal coat hanger. Hold the rubber band against the metal end until the bonding glue takes hold. Let the bonding glue set for three hours.
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6
Sharpen the pencil in the pencil sharpener. Stick the sharpened end of the pencil into the rubber eraser.
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7
Place the metal piece of coat hanger on the wrist of one of your hands with the stretched rubber band facing towards you. Wrap duct tape across the metal piece of coat hanger and around your hand to hold the two together.
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8
Go into your backyard. Aim your hand that has the wrist rocket launcher attached to it at a tree or rock.
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9
Place the pencil that is now a wrist rocket on the back of your hand with the eraser facing toward the tree or rock.
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10
Place the back end of the pencil against the center of the rubber band. Pull back on the pencil to stretch out the rubber band. Release the wrist rocket and watch it fly toward the tree or rock.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear work gloves to protect your hands when bending the metal clothes hanger.
Do not aim or fire your wrist rocket at a person or a domestic pet, since there is always the possibility of hurting them with the rocket.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit rocket image by ivan gusev from Fotolia.com
