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Bic Rocket Launcher

Today: a rocket launcher made out of a bic mechanical pencil.
Tomorrow: mini warheads

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Step 1Gather materials

you'll need;
a bic mecanical pencil,
some scotch tape,
thread or other fuse,
propellent(I used match heads,
and a vice grip or
other means of breaking off the cap

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93 comments

1-40 of 93

Mar 9, 2009. 12:00 PMsharlston says:

this is so cool if you have any more cool ideas please email them to mattyts@live.co.uk

Nov 13, 2008. 8:25 PMwasabibomb414 says:

wtf dantex? "did you heard for"??

Oct 19, 2007. 6:16 PMX_D_3_M_1 says:

stupid and confusing

Oct 19, 2007. 11:17 PMpaper warrior (author) says:

Why do you find it "stupid and confusing", would you care to explain so I can improve it?

Oct 21, 2007. 8:55 PMX_D_3_M_1 says:

how the hell do u fire iwthout buring ur face off/and or having to pick plastic shrapnel from your body. and whats the projectile? the head?

May 14, 2008. 12:15 AMQwertyuioLP says:

I like using copper pipe with one end flattened down and a hole drilled in it it works fine.

Oct 22, 2007. 11:59 AMpaper warrior (author) says:

Try keeping your face away from the exaust. The rocket will not explode...

Oct 22, 2007. 7:38 PMX_D_3_M_1 says:

any other possible prjectiles asides from cap? how to load it?

Oct 22, 2007. 9:40 PMpaper warrior (author) says:

Yeah, as long as you keep it a little bit nose heavy. You can use a piece of wax on the end for practice rounds. This has the benefit of being formable to an ogive.

Apr 12, 2008. 9:52 AMPyroManiac96 says:

How do you shoot it... lol

Jan 24, 2008. 5:05 PMultrauber says:

try using macro for some of your pics

Dec 29, 2007. 2:16 AMYellow84 says:

haha i have the same computer tower.

Dec 22, 2007. 4:22 PMheavy.metal.nguyen says:

The kitty is cute.

Dec 4, 2007. 12:47 PMHazardRush says:

It was bad.

Oct 17, 2007. 5:21 PMbug 8 says:

you need to make a movie clip of you making it and launching it. I tried to make one but the match head powder did not ignite

Apr 15, 2007. 4:14 PMDantex says:

Did you heard for focus ?

Apr 17, 2007. 5:02 PMpaper warrior (author) says:

Of, and yes. I have found that the photo is perfectly clear. I do not know about you. Sarcasm is not very appreciated, you don't seem to know that,do you?

Aug 17, 2007. 1:27 AMP1h3r1e3d13 says:

I recommend the "macro" setting on your camera. It will be represented with a little flower icon and is most helpful in focusing on close-up objects.

Apr 23, 2007. 4:34 PMDantex says:

Not photo whit cat. Other photos.

Dec 25, 2008. 10:32 AMColonel88 says:

Sarcasm is the worst sense of humor. This does not apply to me.

Jul 29, 2007. 8:38 PMfunwithfire325 says:

dont shoot the kitty!!! )-=

Jul 15, 2007. 1:18 PMscorp says:

you lite the fuse...duh

May 25, 2007. 3:56 PMsoccer9270 says:

the fuse went out as soon as it went in the tube, and the pencil melted so I had to saw it off. I tried a copper tube but it still didn't work. Have you actually done made this work?

Jul 2, 2007. 8:40 PMthingygoboom says:

I have... really well... i used some solid rocket fuel also to make it work... match heads works tho

Feb 14, 2007. 9:45 AMsliza23 says:

anyone know how to get my pics as my little icon thing???

Mar 17, 2007. 9:58 AMthingygoboom says:

go to you and go to settings under you're pic. then hit change pic

Jun 21, 2007. 9:45 AMdezire says:

How do you get images from your reg. library to your Instructable library..?

Jul 2, 2007. 8:39 PMthingygoboom says:

Just when making an instructable hit UPLOAD PICS and search and upload

Oct 9, 2006. 5:42 PMUnforgiven_God says:

well i made it all and i thought i was just supposed to crush up tons of matches and shove them in the pencil, so i did and lit it and all it did was make a big flame, melting half of my pencil

Dec 3, 2006. 11:16 AMrocket man says:

here, just melt some potassium nitrate and some sugar and you got a rocket engine! get the right amounts of each on google.

Dec 3, 2006. 12:11 PMpaper warrior (author) says:

isn't that how smoke bombs are made?

Jun 23, 2007. 2:42 PMzepman says:

yes it is...

Feb 27, 2007. 7:25 PMusuck says:

the thread wont burn it loses oxygen once it goes into the tube do i do it wrong? And are matchheads really the ends of matches?

Feb 28, 2007. 1:38 AMpaper warrior (author) says:

Amybe covering the thread in gunpowder would help. And yes, thats what matchheads are. Better yet use gunpowder for the propellant. 545 rounds of .22cal costs 14 bucks, lots o' powder.

Mar 16, 2007. 11:00 PMthingygoboom says:

woohooo! do you want us killed?

May 19, 2007. 9:48 PMpaper warrior (author) says:

You just put a pair of pliers on the slug and the case, and pull em' apart. Thats what I do. Btw, this IS in the not liable category. lol.

May 18, 2007. 6:23 PMzumaeta says:

cover the string in nail polish and posibly use a thicker string

May 16, 2007. 2:00 PMich bin ein pyro says:

does thread actually burn like a wick?

May 13, 2007. 1:12 PMninjaman says:

I am having a lot of trouble with firing this thing. First, the thread wilts if you try to ignite it. Then, the flame goes out as soon as it goes in the tube(like usuck said). Then, I have almost sucesful launche without a fuse. Could you give me some advice?