From Rubbish to Rocketry

            One day, while walking through Wally-World (a sophisticated name for Wal-Mart), I happened upon a 3-pack of model rocket engines. I quickly searched through a pile on the shelf, but all I could find were puny A3-2 and C6-5 engines. Reading the back of the package, I saw that the C6-5s were far more superior, so I obviously bought those. The C6-5s had 4xs more total power, 3 Newtons more thrust, and a 3 second longer delay between the thrust phase and the ejection charge. I took them home, and they sat in my room for about a week. Finally, I came up with this idea for my first homemade rocket:

                I used these:

• X1 C6-5 model rocket engine (trust me, I would have went way bigger if I could)
• X1 model rocket engine igniter (in the package with the engines)
• X1 sheet of model rocket recovery wadding (in the package with the engines)
• X2 12-gram CO2 cartridges (EMPTY – in case you were wondering)
• X1 coffee stirring straw (1 holed, not 2)
• X1 piece of paperboard or notebook cover

 

I used these tools:

• handy-dandy Dremel tool with a metal cutting head (you might find something easier)
• scissors
• tape (that shiny, heat-proof kind you find at hardware stores would’ve worked nicely, if I had it)
• super glue
• long-nosed pliers
• pencil (optional)
• ruler (optional)

 

Yeah, nothing you don’t already have or couldn’t get for cheap.
 

Step 1: Step 1

             First, I used my Dremel tool to cut just above the rounded bottom of one CO2 cartridge, and ground off the leftover seal on the nozzle. Don’t grind off the nozzle itself; you need this for the bottom of the rocket. The small nozzle increases the thrust of the engine, thus producing more lifting power.

            Next, I measured and cut about ½ inch below the nozzle on the second CO2 cartridge. You don’t have to worry about the seal. This nozzle just covers the top of the engine and supports the nosecone.

Comments

[I luv Duct Tape]

hahaha. the nosecone is missing because once the engine burns through, there is an ejection stage, where it blows out the top of the engine, ejecting the recovery system(parachute), so you can reuse the rocket

[al_packer]

Let's see: You've managed to take a perfectly good model rocket engine that has an end-burning propellant load, change the nozzle to an unoptimized size and shape, make it heavier, and make it into a hazard to live and limb. I've still got scars from trying something like this 55+ years ago, and I was one of the lucky ones.

There is a reason model rocket engines are made using paper engine cases, and there is also a reason real rocket engineers study chemistry and physics before they start designing.

[Haoleman]

Tehe!!! Reminds me of when I was a kid and took a CO2 cartridge and drilled out the punctured end with a drill and was going to make a rocket motor. Packed it with match heads and a fuse. Only problem is it went about 6 feet before exploding like a hand grenade breaking out 3 windows in my house! DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME! ROCKETMEN!!! Your survival is at risk!

[zombiehunter96]

We have had an anomy XD

[jshale]

I think you mean "Anomaly"

[jmattingly]

I would recommend using something like Open Rocket (free and open source, http://openrocket.sourceforge.net/) when designing rockets not from a kit. It's fairly intuitive and can mean the difference between a nice, safe model and a dangerous missile like this.

[augur45]

OK... kewl... BUT

metal has shrapnel potential... so take care to protect yourself and others from same... In this case, a jacket, gloves and face shield would probably be adequate. (Pants that cover legs and shoes (not sandals or flip-flops.)

Safest model rocketry construction uses paper, tissue, cardboard, and balsa. Some light plastics are often used, but pose potential eye hazard (safety glasses, goggles or face shield are a good idea.)

Be safe...

[Paintballer98]

dude you failed so failed on that just saying but wow LOL goes spinning in circles and lands in, POISON IVY, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHH LOL

[b1tbang3r]

HAHA Yeah, it might have been a complete fail, but it was still funny. Oh and any good little boyscout (or brownie in your case) would know that that wasn't poison ivy. lol

[dawsdesign]

wasn't that poison ivy you were digging through? haha

[aaronncook]

Add an extend body plus nose and this might get some altitude. I like the idea of reusing the CO2 cartridges, makes me think something else might be possible. Great Job!

[b1tbang3r]

Like a liquid-fueled rocket perhaps???

[aaronncook]

Peroxide....

[frog pop]

what is a handy-dandy Dremel tool with a metal cutting head

[grizzly g]

 haha nice....for stability reasons you should try making the rocket a bit longer..and bigger fins..and also some sorta launch pad..if you put rings on the side and then drove at stick in the ground and put the rings thru it, itd help

[FraKtuL]

RE: Stability
That's correct. More specifically, the distance between the "Center of Gravity" and the "Center of Pressure" should be equal to the diameter of the body tube. Rocket science is cool, but try not to blow yourself up! lol ;-)

[stephenniall]

i did what you did for ignition but used a 9v battery and some wirewool !