Water Rocket Launcher Details

[fatpeople249er]

Hi gorge did u hand make your nozzle or did u buy it and my tornado coupling works but I just need to study your splicing technec

[gk123434534]

@fatpeople249er Yes, we machine our own nozzles on the lathe. The splicing technique takes a bit of practice, but is not difficult. Make sure you have plenty of bottles on hand to practice with.

[michdaenen]

Mooike xd

[cartilige]

Hi, I use an identical brass quick connector (it's likely to be a different brand but they look the same) but if I fit it to flexible tube it just bends sideways and launches in whichever direction it chooses. How do I attach it to a solid tube?

[gk123434534]

@cartilige Rather than trying to secure the release head to a solid tube, try to add a guide rail to your launcher to support the rocket. That will always ensure the rocket flies in the same direction when it leaves the launcher. This way the release head can just stay attached to the flexible hose.

[cartilige]

@gk123434534 I did try that, and it worked very well but the weight of the rocket pushing down bent the flexible tube and caused a lot of wear on the wall of the tube to the point where it split. I have since changed to a reinforced hose which has braiding inside of it but I fear the same will happen again.

[gk123434534]

@cartilige Ahh ok. One thing to try is to secure a vertical post made from a piece of wood or pipe in the middle of your launcher, and have the bottom of the release head rest against the corner of the post so it can take the weight. Then you can just use wire to tie the hose to the post. You will still need the guide rail, but that should be able support the weight.

[cartilige]

@gk123434534 That's a very good idea to use both. I'll try it when I do the repairs for this season. Thanks

[theomml123]

where i can find a tutorial to build a launcher like this . excellent work

[gk123434534]

@theomml123 Thanks. :) Sorry we don't have a step by step tutorial for this launcher. If you go to our main website there are plenty of details about this particular launcher. If you choose to build a similar one, I'm happy to give suggestions if you get stuck.

[annoo4]

Where do you buy your gardena quick connects?

[gk123434534]

@annoo4 In the local hardware store. In the garden section.

[MrTomcarnahan]

Great design!

Did you manufacture the booster fill tube hardware or did you buy the parts commercially?

From the bottom, it looks like you used a dishwasher elbow to go from the flex tubes 90 degrees to a hose fitting ... right?

[gk123434534]

@MrTomcarnahan Most of the components on the launcher are custom made. And yes, the hoses at the bottom of the launcher are just braided stainless steel water hoses from the hardware store.

[T86157]

nice, I love Enigma.  Good choice of background music

[Danielastronomo]

Hi George,

Today I looked the launcher and I draw it in a papaper changing some things, but now I know how to do it.

You don´t got that answer my last cuestion.

Thanks form everything!!

Good luck

[gk123434534]

Hi Daniel, Good luck too with the build. Rockets with boosters are a lot of fun to build and fly. I hope I have answered the question below :) I'm happy to provide more information if needed.

[Danielastronomo]

Thanks a lot for your help George,

I will build the seats from the boosters with a Gardena quick connectors. I will discard the collar and the spring for make a system that hold the nozzle but doesn´t lock it.

The metal connector hold and lock the rocket and when I slide it the rocket with the boosters will be launched at the same time.

I have translated all the information of your website about this launcher to my language and I am studying it. I have collected some pieces for this project :)

[Danielastronomo]

Hi George,

I think in make a simple launcher for a water rocket with boosters and I got that ask you something.

Could I use Gardena quick connectors for the boosters and a metal connector for the main stage?

I have find a store that sell a large nozzles that could be interesting for the boosters.

I think put a non return valve coupled on the tube of the main stage. And i think put similar non return valves that you put recently in a video.

Could this project work well?

[gk123434534]

Hi Daniel,

You could use the plastic quick connectors for the boosters. You can either try to release all of them at the same time, or remove the spring and orange collar and just use the coupling so that the nozzles seal but are free to move out of the coupling. Use the central metal connector to hold everything down. You would get simultaneous release that way.

[Danielastronomo]

Thanks for the answer,

And I don´t got problems with the bottle expansion?

[gk123434534]

Hi Daniel,

You should always consider bottle expansion in your designs. Make sure that bottles expanding will not wedge themselves against the launcher. The bottles can expand quite a bit at full pressure.

[Scorge120]

Awesome! So professionally made... Lol, our launch pad is just a simple tupperware box, a few pieces of wood, the nozzle, and your string release mechanism.

[rayzor51]

as this device is powered by compressed air and fires a projectile it would be illegal in Australia an antenna launchers using tennis ball are

[gk123434534]

This is simply not true. If water rockets and their launchers were illegal in Australia they would not be commercially available here from stores like Jaycar. CASA has specific regulations regarding pyro and water rockets.

[rayzor51]

you can buy a fishing net or the bits required to make one in any bait and tackle shop, But without a licence it is illegal to use it.2 It is illegal to use an air rifle without a licence, so it is illegal to use any compressed liquid or gas in a device to propel a projectile horizontally or vertically. any proof to the contrary would be useful because I want to use compressed air to launch tennis balls for retrieval training with dogs but I was told it is illegal in Qld and WA and NSW

[gk123434534]

I understand your point. It would be interesting to see which law covers this area and to what extent things are covered. In that case it may be illegal to pop a champagne cork. It may perhaps be different if the projectile is self powered as opposed to fired from a barrel. Model rockets are definitely not illegal if you stay within the CASA rules. Whether you use chemical reaction (hot compressed gas), a hybrid, or a cold gas such as in water rockets) they are all allowed.

[Danielastronomo]

Where can I find the boosters fill tubes and the metal 13mm nozzle for the boosters?

[gk123434534]

Hi Daniel,

The fill tubes are just made out of 12mm aluminium tubing available from a hardware store. The 13mm nozzles are custom made on our lathe out of aluminium stock.

[kfmh06]

Is there any online companies that I can purchase solid round plastic pipe from without buying bulk. I haven't checked any hobby shops but where do you get your round stock from?

[gk123434534]

Hobby shops, and hardware stores are your friend. Often you can pick up free offcuts from machine shops. Perhaps look for rubber stoppers as well.

[kfmh06]

Where did you get the non-return valve you used for the main stage air supply? Did you make it? I'm struggling figuring out how to prevent water from leaking back into the air supply when done pressurizing.

[gk123434534]

Hi There, the non-return valve is custom made, but they can be made very simply using a bent sewing pin, like those used in crushing sleeve staging mechanisms. You can put those inline with your air hose.

[kfmh06]

What would you use to insert the pin through? A plastic insert? How do you keep it from sliding through the tube when it is under pressure (from either direction)?

[gk123434534]

Yes a piece of solid round plastic that fits snuggly in the air hose. Then use a hose clamp from the outside to keep it from moving. If you are using something like PVC tubing you want to put the valve in, then you would need to glue it in place.

[Macka007]

Wow! a beautifuly engineered launchpad you have there, I am amazed.

Out of interest, do you have a degree in any kind of engineering or perhaps a trade? I don't know how you designed and built such an impressive piece.; makes my PVC pipe with pin system look like a primary school project.

[MacKissell]

May you please post plans to this specific launcher, I have a rocket built for a launcher like this and I want my launcher to be exactly like your launcher. Or do have a place where I can buy one. Please Help.

[gk123434534]

hi There,

Unfortunately these are not for sale, but they can be made quite readily. Specific instructions are not really feasible as most of it will depend on the things you have on hand or can get a hold of from your local hardware store. Some of the components used we manufactured ourselves but can be substituted with similar components.

I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you have. It's easier to explain via email. Just PM me.

[Microman171]

When I have finished by booster board, I will give you pics :-). I may even post an instructable. Instead of all of those nicely machined parts, I will use stock parts only. No launch tubes though...

[Samanosuke05]

whats the name the part of the release when you down the string?

[zhotmitz]

I saw this clip yesterday but I dont know much about your "main stage". How can it hold down the main-rocket?

Could you please make a clip about this?

[gk123434534]

If you visit our main website (AirCommandRockets) and go to the "how it works section" - "drop away boosters" all will be revealed.

[Samanosuke05]

how many part of garden hose i have to buy to do the release?can you count them?

[gk123434534]

There is only one in the middle. It is made from brass to withstand the forces involved.

[JouChanFD3S]

whats the name of the part of the nozzle?

[gk123434534]

It is commonly referred to as a 'Gardena' garden hose quick connector.

[cowo78]

Hello everyone...

Where can I find one way valve?

[gk123434534]

That depends on the purpose, but bicycle inner tube valves (Schrader)can be used. You can even make an easy one with a solid piece of plastic in the hose with a small hole drilled through it. You then get a pin with a plastic head and push it through the hole. Simply bend the pin on the other side so there is some movement and you have yourself a one way valve.

[cowo78]

Waw... That's great idea. I'll make one at home for my water rocket project. Thanks a lot.

[NiekVL94]

Where can you get that release head?

because mine does not work i got one from gardena to but its a litle bigger.

[gk123434534]

Here in Australia there are two sources of brass garden hose quick connectors. Look for "Neta" or "Pope" on Google. I can't post the URLs here. You can contact me directly and I can send you the links.

[NiekVL94]

OK thanks

[rjshabbee]

simply ingenious, very meticulous

[Alvais1985]

Very interesting and simply genial!

[Cryogenius]

Nice piece of engineering and construction! The video makes everything clear - well explained.

[orginallos]

You got alot of time on your hands.

Well done.

[Lucky62410]

Your laucher is beautiful. I like the guide rail.

[racerx007666]

clever!