Easy Homemade Rocket from CPVC pipe.

Step 2 Making the Parachute

First we will make the parachute for our recovery system. You will need this to be at least a foot in diameter. This step is somewhat self explanatory. A moderately good size of a plastic shopping bag will serve this purpose well. Trace a marker around to make a circle, and then cut this out carefully. Next. you will need to tie four 14" strings (or wires) to the parachute at quarter sectors. Now, carefully tie the other ends into one big knot. You will want to test this parachute to make sure of accuracy in it's vertical float to the ground, minimal spinning, and rigidness. Inspect the sectors where the wire is tied to the parachute to make sure it is still securely tied. When the parachute has met your standards, secure the sectors by covering it in super glue. This is an outstanding help to the parachute. If you want, you may use more strands for a better parachute, but it will make it a lot more complicated.

Comments

[Wyle_E]

For what it's worth: CPVC is crosslinked polyvinyl chloride. It's used in household plumbing because it can withstand typical domestic hot-water temperatures, where plain PVC begins to soften. I've made model rocket tubes out of paper, laid up with diluted Elmer's glue. More tedious than plastic pipe, but definitely cheaper.

[ClCrow]

Yeah, I only used cpvc pipe cause the inside diameter was just right and I am no good with paper. Otherwise, I would rather the benefits of a lighter rocket. A variation of this that would require cpvc and not paper would be if you wanted to make an air missle, which paper wouldn't work well. Also, balsa wood is hard to find in my area, so I needed something that could take heavy parts. But if you are able to make your own, more power to you-but don't use any of the parts in this instructable(with the possible exception of a parachute) as they will be much to heavy.