Homemade Rocket Launch Pads
According to NASA, model rocketry is a surprisingly ancient hobby that had its start 2,400 years ago in ancient Greece. Safe, modern-day model rocketry emerged in the early 1960s. Many designs are available today. Depending on your level of involvement in model rocketry, you could choose commercially made launch pads ranging from $25 to $75. These include an electric launch controller, which is a plus. However, for approximately $5.50 to $11.50, you can build a launch pad yourself.
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Things You'll Need
- 8-inch by 8-inch square, 2-inch thick block of wood
- 6-inch by 6-inch sheet of 22- or 24-gauge galvanized sheet metal
- Hand saw or table saw
- Tin snips
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Punch
- Portable drill with 3/16-inch & 1/16-inch drill bits
- 4 wood screws, 1/16-inch
- Screwdriver
- 3/16-inch diameter copper tubing with 1/8-inch opening, 6 inches long
- Hacksaw
- 1/8-inch diameter steel rod, 36 inches long
Instructions
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1
Measure the wood block and sheet metal using the ruler, and use the saw and tin snips to trim to size.
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2
Use the ruler to draw an X, corner to corner on both the launch pad base (wood block) and blast deflector (sheet metal).
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3
Align the Xs on both the wood block and sheet metal to establish the center point of the launch pad.
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4
Punch and drill one small hole along the X-diagonal, 1/2-inch in from each corner of the blast deflector and use the screwdriver to fasten it to the launch pad base with the four small screws.
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5
Punch and drill a 3/16-inch hole in the center of the X to a depth of roughly 1 3/4-inch.
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6
Insert the 6-inch copper tubing into the hole you just drilled.
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7
Insert the 36-inch rod into the copper tubing.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If you don't have any scrap lumber, ask to see the culled lumber bin at a local building supply store or lumber yard. They usually cut it to size for free.
Copper tubing usually comes in 12-inch lengths, cut it to size with a hacksaw.
Galvanized sheet metal makes the best, long-lasting blast deflector. If you don't have tin snips, you can get it cut to size at a local school, plumbing and heating shop, or welding shop. Another lower-cost alternative is the metal lid of a 1-lb. coffee can.
Always use an electric launch controller to launch your rocket. They're available commercially. Never use fuse and matches.
Never launch in highly populated areas or areas with an abundance of trees nearby.
Don't launch on a windy day.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit hobby rockets image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
