Visco Fuse Bottle Rockets

This instructable will show you how to make your own bottle rockets using Visco fuse as propellant. Visco can be purchased at many online stores. I buy mine from the local firework wholesale shop. I am not taking any credit for this design, I have just modified it. The changes I've made have been mostly weight reduction. I have made changes to the bamboo skewer, the crimping method, the crimper spacer, and the amount of computer paper used. In my first test, I noticed that the rocket did not shoot straight up but off to the side. This could have been due to a few different reasons but when I reduced the overall weight and crimped it a certain way, it seemed to fix it. This was also posted at skylighter.com as well and originated from a book written by Lancaster.

***Just a quick side note: I do not take any responsibility for your actions while constructing this firework, or any others presented to you, by myself. ***

Step 1 Gather the Required Materials

You will need:
(1) Hot Glue Gun
(1) Drill with 1/8 inch bit
(1) 1 in X 3 in strip of masking tape
(1) Glue Stick
(1) 2.5 in length of Visco Fuse
(6) 1 in lengths of Visco Fuse
(1) 1.75 in X 5 in strip of computer printer paper
(1) Ballpoint pen **Make sure it has a slightly rounded end
(1) Length of twine or string
(1) Bamboo Skewer
(1) Pair of scissors

Optional:
Various powdered metals, such as Zinc, Aluminum, or Titanium

Comments

[airsoftdominator999]

could you also use flying fish fuse for the 1 inch pieces? i want to make these with color but i dont wanna use metals

[Dandeman321]

I'm not entirely sure... I've never used any flying fish fuse so I don't know if it would work. It looks similar to visco so the thickness would be about the same but I don't know how much thrust it will put out. Give it a go! That's a good idea!

[airsoftdominator999]

well, it said on the site that it put out a TON of thrust, so i think it should be fine, maybe even better.

[Dandeman321]

K cool! Give it a go! Let me know how to works!

[tomass1996]

does anyone know wher to buy this that will ship to new zealand??

[C1hrisin123]

Thats A UK SITE
http://www.wirelessfireworks.co.uk/fuse.htm
AND YOU CAN GET THE CHEMICALS FROM
http://www.inoxia.co.uk/

[lockpick]

I'm not allowed to buy stuff off the internet so where can I buy disco fuse in the bay are?

[firefighter1333]

lol, you're not allowed? and wtf?! DISCO fuse?

[lockpick]

Yeah I'm not allowed. My parents are really strict about what I do I proabably should find a beter hiding place for those F rocket motors in my closet. And curse the typo god about the disco.

[thorpenny]

muhahahaha...

[fireball9919]

What is the thickness in the fuse that your using? does it matter??

[Dandeman321]

I believe it's just 1/8 inch fuse. Smaller or larger ones would probably work I would assume.

[fireball9919]

all right thanks a bunch :)

[qwertyman10]

You know, this looks like a good idea. The only problem is that I havent been able to find fuse of any kind anywhere, and ive needed it a lot. Is this just like the standard green fuse on firecrackers? and where can you get it?

[fireball9919]

hey these guys got everything. and its pretty cheap too http://www.mojopyrotechnics.com/

[projectguy]

Get fuse from pyrocreations also

[flamethrower1010]

 Go to cannonfuse.com and get the economy flying fish fuse ($5 per 63ft) and some Chinese visco fuse ($5-5.50 per 63ft)- so far the flying fish fuse has worked better for me, it burns faster. shipping is not too bad only $7 compared to skylighter with $20 fuse and $15 shipping fees. 

[Colonel88]

can u use match heads? Or can you use the powder from pop cap guns?

[Jared8989]

no and no. just go to cannonfuse.com and get whichever fuse u like. with shipping it will probably cost under $20

[Dandeman321]

I don't think either of those would work. The matchheads burn too slow and the powder from pop cap guns is an explosive.

[meat sack]

wer can i buy fuse

[Dandeman321]

Cannonfuse.com

[smashbob]

r u sure u didn't mean an 1/8 inch of tape instead of a 1/4 inch. cuz that's a lot of tape for a little thing like a bottle rocket, and it doesn't look like the end product is even 1/2 an inch wide.

[Dandeman321]

What step are you talking about? I haven't worked with these in years.

[Thundertydus]

Will this work with crushed sparklers? Probably not, but I do not have access to most materials

[Dandeman321]

No. Sparklers burn too slowly and would not provide any thrust.

[PyroMaster007]

Great idea. my parents won't let me buy fuse though, they know how much of a pyromaniac i am so they don't trust me with fire. lol, nice job though.

[Thundertydus]

Tissue paper soaked in gas

[cowgomoo]

painters tape and black powder are my fuse hahahah!!!

[codongolev]

so.... your parents won't let you buy the only pyrotechnic device specifically manufactured to save people from burns/explosions/death? hm... I need to get my hands on some visco.... there's so many things to do with it, and I don't have any.

[cowgomoo]

hobby shop??? they usually have fuse.

[Dandeman321]

Haha yeah my parents weren't too thrilled with my hobby. Thanks!

[PyroMaster007]

how'd you get them to let you? right now i pretend i am into model rocketry so i can get rocket engines (which i crush up and make powdered fuel from). it'd be niice to come outta hiding.

[Dandeman321]

Hah well it depends on your age. When I was younger I had to hide it. Later, my parents just saw that I was being responsible about it. I also assured them that I wasn't making anything destructive like m-80s. I like the display aspect of fireworks rather than the blowing stuff up. I don't know how you are.

[PyroMaster007]

well, i have to agree. i have to hide it all. i convinced her to buy lighter fluid by offering to cook dinner.

[Dandeman321]

Haha nice.

[PyroMaster007]

I know right... here come the fireballs... I also convinced her to buy me lighters by saying i need them for a boy scout camping trip (to light fires) that worked too!!!

[lockpick]

Exact same way I got my lighters

[toogers]

she could just be humouring you.

[Dandeman321]

Ha we weren't allowed to bring lighting to our camping trips... or electronics.