Launch It! Contest Entry: The Alcohol Fueled Soda Bottle Rocket

Launch It! Contest Entry: The Alcohol Fueled Soda Bottle Rocket
Hello everybody! Here's my entry for the Launch It! Contest, The Alcohol Fueled Soda Bottle Rocket, the most awesome thing you can do with a soda bottle other than empty it!


 
Remove these adsRemove these ads by Signing Up
 

Step 1Getting Started

Right, this is the Alcohol Fueled Soda Bottle Rocket, a rocket made from a soda bottle that is fueled by alcohol and other volatile liquid vapors. I originally posted this thing months ago, but ewihem unposted it since I didn't have any pictures at the time. That was back when I was a noob that didn't use proper grammer. I haven't reposted until now, so I still have rights as the first liquid fueled, combustion rocket on Instructables, despite the fact someone else posted a similar design.
So anyway, this rocket is a load of fun, first I'll show you the vids (start with the one on the top and work down) and then I'll give instuctions.







« Previous StepDownload PDFView All StepsNext Step »
130 comments
1-40 of 130next »
May 8, 2011. 12:51 PMfostersfriend says:
Um yeah just tried this with a different type of bottle so much for rocket more like dry ice bomb my ears are ringing like he'll do the rest of the kids like me a favor and delete this instructible
Oct 7, 2011. 2:23 AMuberdum05 says:
If you use a pop bottle ('soda bottle' - American English) it might not explode because they are designed to withstand up to 150 PSI and also, try making the hole in the top bigger
Oct 7, 2011. 9:50 AMfostersfriend says:
Ya I used a pretzel container for a better fuel air mixture plus it seemed pretty strong and this is what happened pictures at my blog nerdnoggin.blogspot.com
Oct 24, 2011. 12:46 PMuberdum05 says:
Never trust how strong a container might feel, it depends on the type of plastic and if it was only used for storing pretzels, well...
Oct 24, 2011. 2:46 PMfostersfriend says:
Yeah lol that wasn't the problem if it had been less strong then it would've blown up less dramatically
Jul 9, 2011. 12:46 PMjarheadwithm16 says:
In the part of the instructable when you listed other possible fuels you put methylated spirits and denatured alcohols. The two substances are the same.
Jul 7, 2011. 12:49 PMNE patsrock says:
dousnt go very high
Sep 10, 2007. 8:55 AMemellqui says:
"I don't recommend trying it until you gain lots of experience with just alcohol." I would recommend staying away from explosions after "experiencing" alcohol. Also, this is ridiculously dangerous. You need to find a way to light this while standing 10-15 feet away. Try model rocket igniters.
Feb 24, 2011. 4:04 PMalancj says:
The only thing dangerous I see in the video is being so close to it when you lite it. I wouldn't call the danger of getting smacked in the face or losing knuckle hair ridiculously dangerous. It's not going to explode, because a liquid like alcohol needs to vaporize first before it can burn. I used to do this same thing back in the days before the internet, but with propane or butane. These are already in gaseous form and are much more explosive. Yet my bottles never exploded.
I however used a spark ignition. These were pretty energetic little bottles! I even tried increasing the efficiency by adding water to give it more propellant mass.
Nov 28, 2008. 8:43 AMLiftTheFlame says:
Its really not that dangerous. alcohol is one of the safest fuel sources ever. and its not going to hurt you. it wont even burn you on first contact.......
Sep 13, 2007. 6:54 AMVendigroth says:
That's what my cousin said. unlike myself, he's not overly-encumbered with intellect, and decided to use alcohol-containing fluid...from a can of deodorant. Obviously, it it's got alcohol in it, it'll be all alcohol.... So the foolish ape sprayed a good dose on his arm and cheerfully set it on fire. The dissolved butane propellant burned like hell, and he had a huuuge burn for weeks. serves him right. As for me, when i made the Fire Axe (no link, i'll let the readers stay here) i set may hands on fire many many times and as long as you're not stupid, it's actually quite fun!
Mar 21, 2008. 4:01 PMnodrog19 says:
i got burning gasoline on my hands once. it feels like your hand is in warm water.
Sep 13, 2007. 9:55 AMLoosewire; SOE Operative says:
Yeah, it just feels nice and toastie!
Sep 13, 2007. 7:07 AMVendigroth says:
he got what he deserved. I was even tempted to take a video with my phone and send it to him, but i don't think i could have stopped it from melting.
Sep 10, 2007. 9:07 AMemellqui says:
The dangerous part is the explosion occurring just out of the reach of your hand.
Sep 10, 2007. 10:02 AMemellqui says:
Relax, it's just a coincidence.
Dec 30, 2010. 11:58 PMwhoelsebutaelx says:
Whatever you do dont set it off near your neighbours back fence. bad idea. also you can use 3 or 4 skewers so you can stand it up on solid ground
Apr 12, 2008. 10:57 PMthermoelectric says:
Wow This is kool but i don't think my dad will appreciate his grass being charred
Feb 19, 2010. 3:02 AMbeehard44 says:
easy, maybe macgyver would have done this too:

ALuminum  foil
Sep 23, 2010. 4:41 AMbeehard44 says:
UPDATE i tried protecting the ground with aluminum foil and it just ripped to shreds. Yes i did use 5 layers, squeezed together with a little glue to hold it together
May 13, 2009. 7:59 PMnutsandbolts_64 says:
You know, I got the idea independently before I read this but I didn't do it at all because I might end up in jail setting a house on fire, even though it's accidental.

Though it is a good idea to terrorize someone with it but not a good idea if you know your gonna end up in jail.
Feb 19, 2010. 12:10 AMbeehard44 says:
yes, H***** (personal info classified), i know who you can terrorize, it is either GU*** or CA****...

Feb 19, 2010. 1:22 AMnutsandbolts_64 says:
nah, i have better plans for them...
Aug 20, 2010. 6:42 AMbeehard44 says:
have you heard of fume hoods? do you even know seriously basic procedures how to handle Na in solid form
I know.....
after a few google searches
Aug 20, 2010. 10:25 PMnutsandbolts_64 says:
explain why you have to comment me twice with the exact words and spacing about 1 topic on two of my separate comments on this single instructable
Sep 23, 2010. 4:40 AMbeehard44 says:
is it my PC or instructables went broken that time...
May 16, 2009. 2:25 AMsharlston says:
can i use vodka lol?
Jan 27, 2010. 8:41 PMharley_rly says:
not the 80 proof kind, not sure if 100 proof will work or not, thats borderline flammable. Generaly you would be better off using everclear, or rubbing alcohol
Feb 19, 2010. 12:08 AMbeehard44 says:
as a rule of thumb, 200 proof is 100%, and 40%wont work, 70 percent will work...
Feb 21, 2010. 10:03 AMharley_rly says:
u just like restated what i said with some additional info....what was the point?
Aug 20, 2010. 6:36 AMbeehard44 says:
additional info........
Sep 12, 2007. 9:24 AMbriskability says:
The little 20oz bottles are just fine to launch in the house if you are using alcohol as the fuel and i did say not to launch the larger 2-3 ltr ones in the house at all. I don't really care if you think your the first all i know is 6 days after i posted mine here comes yours which is the same instructable with minor differences.
Feb 5, 2008. 6:30 PMhippojoe says:
pwnd lol just kidding.
1-40 of 130next »

Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

All Steps Viewing
View all steps of an Instructable on the same page when you're a Pro Member.

Upgrade to Pro today!
99
Followers
22
Author:KentsOkay
Formerly known as RocketScientist2015. College makes you busy