How to Make a PVC Rocket Cannon

video How to Make a PVC Rocket Cannon

The above video demonstrates how to fire a rocket under the power of a flammable aerosol. Hairspray or a flammable spray deodorant are the fuels of choice. The total cost of this project assuming the tools needed are already available is about $25. For that price you can make 4 rockets for the launcher, as the foam sleeping pad that they are made of is large enough to make multiples.

Parts & Tools:
1. 18" x 3" Pressure Rated PVC Pipe
2. 3" Pressure Rated PVC End Cap
3. Piezoelectric BBQ Igniter or Flint & Steel Lantern Striker (Available at hardware or sporting goods stores)
4. 2 Self Tapping Screws if using a BBQ Ignitor
5. Foam Sleeping Pad
6. 2 Liter Soda Bottle
7. Duct or Packaging Tape
8. Hot Glue
9. Drill & Bits
10. PVC Primer & Cement

girdap37 says: Apr 8, 2013. 8:44 AM

First of all, a very nice project. I would like to do this project. But it is used IN 18 "inch into the pipe having been in the same tube. Auxiliary I'd appreciate it if you

vangard1994 says: Sep 25, 2012. 10:38 AM

dude, you are the spawn of macgyver and jesus him self! if it ever becomes WW III and an apocalyptic setting, you (hands down) are set. im just wondering if you could make the landmine more "interesting". say cooking oil that giike3 said, or if you could use a sort of explosive that the ignitor would set off.

giike3 says: Jul 10, 2012. 2:17 PM

hey what happens if you shot it with flammable cooking oil would it ignite?

misterlemois says: Jul 4, 2012. 8:44 AM

Here in my country (I live in Brazil) I cannot find the foam you used, only in smaller shapes, like 8mm of thickness. There are any alternative material for the rocket?
I already build the launcher and I'm now firing coke bottles (2,5l) and it's awesome, I really want to build the rocket now.

Michael_Bell says: Jun 24, 2012. 8:52 PM

I would love to do this, but unfortunately putting flames near hairspray scares me... perhaps I shall try some other type of fuel? If and when I do, I shall let you know how it works

jliang1 says: May 28, 2012. 3:52 PM

Hello,
I think this is an amazing implementation of basic physics.

I have a question about the fuel, however. What is it that oxidizes inside the hairspray? Is there a specific chemical that I should look for? I currently have Petroleum-infused Silicon Oil, but I'm not sure if that will produce the gas pressure needed for liftoff. I also don't want to buy the 'wrong' hairspray, persae, and waste $15 on a product nobody in our family uses.

Thanks in advance!

NightHawkInLight (author) in reply to jliang1May 28, 2012. 7:27 PM

Look for any spray that says flammable on the can, with one of the ingredients being a flammable gas such as butane or propane. The gas that is used to pressurize the can is what you are looking for as fuel, not the spray itself.

thebrimac says: Apr 22, 2012. 10:32 AM

Really fun Idea. I built one but I am having a problem. I am using the charcoal igniter with wires I have extended. When it is all connected I can look down the tube and see a spark. However, I have tried several times with several fuels and can't get it to ignite. If I throw a match down the tube I do get an ignition. Any suggestions?

NightHawkInLight (author) in reply to thebrimacApr 22, 2012. 11:54 AM

It could be that your spark gap is too close or too far apart for a hot spark. Most likely you are just using too much or too little fuel. If the mixture of air to fuel isn't right it will not burn.

lonesoulsurfer says: Mar 17, 2012. 11:17 PM

Great 'ible - built one with my son on the weekend and had a blast! (excuse the pun). Have a look at my video below. I had some trouble initially as the hair spray wouldn't ignite. I found that if I blew down the pipe after I sprayed that helped.
Keep up the great work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3aLtBF07ME&list=UU3KVtVSsFk13MCDUBh34Drw&index=1&feature=plcp

NightHawkInLight (author) in reply to lonesoulsurferMar 18, 2012. 8:26 PM

That looks great! Glad you could get some fun out of the project!

joen says: Mar 9, 2012. 9:54 AM

Could it be done with alcohol like HEAT for example or is it too explosive?

Mattrox says: Mar 8, 2012. 11:26 AM

My volume was too loud almost fell off my chair! Great Instructable as always!

urbanaut says: Mar 7, 2012. 2:36 PM

Doing this project with my two boys (4&7), they're so excited they can't see straight, lol. I'll post more when it's ready...

NightHawkInLight (author) in reply to urbanautMar 7, 2012. 7:06 PM

That's cool to hear! Have fun! Also, stay safe. I'm sure the bottle could give a mean black eye if you were staring down at it as it fired. It might be a good idea to have the launcher up above them on a table so that they can't reach their faces high enough to get above it.

skiedra says: Mar 7, 2012. 1:12 AM

well done ignition. Cheers!