PVC Rockets

[PCGUY]

<div align="center">PVC Rockets

Provided By - <a href="http://www.spudtech.com">http://www.spudtech.com</a>

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/image0039.jpg">

Step 1: Cutting pipe to length

When making rockets for 1.5” barrels, it is best to use 3/4" PVC. I cut mine to a length of 10 7/8”, I make them this length because that is the distance from the end of the table and my saw blade, so your lengths can vary slightly, but always try and stay above 10” and below 12”. For a 2” barrel you will want to use 1” pipe cut to a lengths between 16” and 18”, mine are 17”. You can use any method of cutting you would like, however, try to have as square of ends as possible.

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/image0059.jpg">

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/image0079.jpg">

I will usually cut 20' of pipe at a time, it's a lot of work to make rockets, and so I like to do as many at a time as possible.

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/image0099.jpg">

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/image0119.jpg">

Step 2: Washing the pipe

It is best to wash the pipe after cutting it, this will remove any dirt and PVC shavings that have collected.

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/image0139.jpg">

Step 3: Drying the pipe

After you have cleaned the pipe, you want it to dry completely, inside and out. You can do this be either letting it air dry, or drying it yourself with a towel. Here I am letting some pieces air dry. It is very important that you get the pipe totally dry; otherwise as soon as you put the pipe in the oil, the water will boil off and send very hot oil all over the place, not fun to get on your arm.

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/image0159.jpg">

Step 4: Preparing to flare the pipe

You will now need the following materials to begin the flaring process: From left to right: Metal pan (pie pan, anything to help catch spilled oil) metal funnel (plastic will work too, but might warp if it gets too warm) cooking pot (Yes, your wife/mother/girlfriend will get upset if you use that pot, go to a garage sale and by a cheap one) small piece of pipe the same size as your intended barrel, cooking oil. Other things that you may want handy include, an oven mitt, bowl of ice water, and towels.

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/image0179.jpg">

Step 5: Setting up

Start by pouring oil into your pot, about an inch will be enough. You may have to add some or take some out as you go, so have something you can pour hot oil into handy. Here you can see that I have everything ready, a bowl of ice water, funnel and drip pan, my soon to be missiles, and my pan of oil is being heated. You will want to test the temperature of your oil before you get started. Do this by holding a piece of PVC in the oil for about 30 seconds, if it gets very flimsy and pliable, the oil is hot enough, if not, turn up the temperature.

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/image019.jpg">

Step 6: Flaring

Now that your oil is hot you are ready to begin. Start by putting your small barrel sized piece of pipe on the funnel, this will act as your stop for the flare. With an oven mitt on your hand, hold your first piece of pipe in the oil for roughly 30 seconds. (Time will vary according to the temperature of your oil, experiment with different times.) Make sure to continue holding the pipe the entire time that it is in the oil, otherwise it may tip over and send hot oil everywhere. After the pipe has become pliable, quickly remove it from the oil and push it done on the funnel. With your flare stop in place, you should only be able to push the pipe down so far, don't push any farther. If you can push the pipe down all the way to your flare stop, your pipe isn't hot enough yet, put back in the oil. Lets now take a look at some different problems that may occur when flaring.

Rocket #1: Pushing down too hard and too much oil in the pot.
Rocket #2: Too much oil in the pot.
Rocket #3: Too much oil in the pot and not pushing down straight.
Rocket #4 and #5: A little too much oil and still pushing too hard.
Rocket #6: Correct amount of oil and correct pressure applied.</li>

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/image021.jpg">

Step 7: Gluing end caps

Once all of your pipes have been flared, you are ready to begin gluing on your end caps.

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/image023.jpg">

Here I have sorted out my 1” caps and my 3/4" caps.
Because you are attempting to build PVC rockets, I am going to assume that you already have built a cannon and therefore you know how to prep and glue PVC. But before you glue on your end caps you may want to add some weight to them. I have found that a couple (3-4) washers inside of the caps work the best. However others have tried lead shot, experiment to see what suits you best.
<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/image025.jpg" width="231" height="163">
Here is a picture with a washer inside the end cap. Once your weight has been added, you can glue your caps to your flared pipe.

Remember: You don't need to use any primer because these will not be holding any pressure, so don't worry about it.

Step 8: Painting (Optional)

You should now have missiles that look something like this:

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/image027.jpg">

Now you may want to add some paint, it helps with visibility in the air, and also helps when trying to find these rockets. I usually use a bright colored spray paint.

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/image029.jpg">

You may also want to build a simple paint block to keep your rockets upright while painting. I simply put a couple screws in a 2x4 and put the missiles on the screws.

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/image031.jpg">

And now you are done. Enjoy, and as always, Keep it safe…
This How-To has been written by Tim Brown. Please email me with any questions or comments you may have at <a href="mailto:HowToGuy@hotmail.com">HowToGuy@hotmail.com</a>

Provided By - <a href="http://www.spudtech.com">http://www.spudtech.com</a></div>

[C.F.I reece]

cool these are a great idea thax will be trying soon

[joemama]

how do u fire it ??

[spudshot]

you stick it down the barrel of your gun, its ammo, not self proppelled

[electroshockman]

How straight do these fly?

[jrrdw]

need to find away to put a good centered point on the end caps, cut air better, giveing it better distance, but how to do it?

[cardinals08]

use some type of putty that is easily sanded but strong enough to hold up

[electroshockman]

I was thinking maybe push the front end into the other side of the funnel, pushing it together to make a more pointed end? Has anyone tried that?

[boilingleadbath]

With darts for 2" barrels, you could just skip the flare and use the 1.25" endcap/nose as the sealing area - the leak will cause some 35 foot lbs of energy to be lost according to the GGDT (this does not vary very much with launcher setup).
The lack of the flare would significantly decrease the drag of the projectile... which could be further reduced by tapering the tail end of the pipe. The drag caused by the blunt face of the end cap might be helped if you epoxied 1/2 of a rubber ball on it, although that's starting to get to be too much trouble for the potential reward.

[CS]

I have used a metal funnel to flare the pipe ends. Id dont typically shoot PVC rockects because they dont go far and secondly they tumble some of the time. Seeing as I dont see the point in buying a cap for ever single rocket I simply duct tape both the the tail end and the nose. In between I fill it with sand and that seems to help with accuracy and usally doesnt have a effect on range. I also only make my rockects only around 6" long. I think that removing the flare end indeed would be more aerodynamic, but im assuming that it is essentail to stablize the rocket while in flight. So basically distance would yet agian be sacraficed because the lack of stabilty while in flight. Im not sure though...

[Tripoli]

hiya people
hows you all doing, nice ideas and all, but i wanna know one thing that im really interested in working on, and that a combustion cannon, that like long pipe with two others from each side, can some one please supply me with a video please please, because i am having trouble understanding text. if you can i'd really appreciate it.

and can you contact me by hotmail
brickcity_supreme_712@hotmail.co.uk

thanks very much dude's

[9:39 AM]
and oh yeah, dudes,
can you also if you have that time, to consider making an ingredient paper for me, as well as the video if possible.

thanks very much

NOTE FROM PIMPMANN22: First off fixed your double post. Secondly this forum isnt just for you! By that I mean if were going to give you a video, we'll give everyone a video. I not seeing how your getting confused... this is quite simple.

[K40T1C]

First of all welcome to SpudFiles.com Tripoli.
Secondly, please do not double post, your able to edit your posts.
Thirdly, this is in no way the right spot to ask that sort of question. Please just start a new topic in the "General Spud Questions" part of this website using an appropriat title suchas "I'm new to this, please help!"
Fourthly, (is that even a word) a lot of people at this forum take the stance that if someone can not figure out how to do something, you shouldn't be building these.
Sorry for getting at your throat on your first posts but once again,
WELCOME TO SPUDFILES

[thrasmussen]

I've never had any problems with the design.

[newkidspudster]

hey those are super cool but i cant make them because my gun just shooting a spud will go through half inch ply wood and still come out the back,i cant imaging a peice of hard pvc thos wont splater but cool idea!


HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

[Scotty]

Thanks heaps for that Rocket idea. I am now going to make a couple of thousand.