Overhead Water Rocket Launcher Part 1

Build an overhead water rocket launcher. Part 1 of 2. Part 2 is here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy8WSSKY_n4 See more DIY science toys at sciencetoymaker.org

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• build
• overhead
• water
• rocket
• launcher

[MrTomcarnahan]

Another quick question ... can you recommend good links that tell how to make a simple but reliable "re-entry" system (aka parachute deployment mechanism)?

Fyi .... I am looking at ways to allow filling the bottle with water while it is already on the launch tube and just before pressurization.

[sciencetoymaker]

@MrTomcarnahan You might try something with lawn sprinkler shut off valves for filling with water on the launch pad. As for parachutes, they would seem to be so simple--it was the first science project I made as a young lad--but parachutes are actually very difficult to get to work reliably on water rockets.

Slater

[MrTomcarnahan]

Great tutorial, however I am having problems with the cable tie "hold back" trigger not working and the rocket releasing un-commanded. I have the bump, 8 cable ties, 2inch 1-/2 cover, but the cover does not fit snug over the cable ties and the rocket releases un-commended at 50 psi Any suggestions on improving my trigger to make it more reliable? The 1-1/2 pipe does not feel like it is fitting snug enough against the cable ties to make it sstrong enough ... thus it releases when IT wants to.

[sciencetoymaker]

@MrTomcarnahan I have not seen that problem before. You said "2inch 1/2 cover." Does that mean you used a two and one half inch(2 1/2") pipe? It should be one and one half inch (1 1/2"). That would account for the loose fit. Is that it? Can you send a picture (my regular email contact is at sciencetoymakerDOTorg).

Slater

Do you live in North America?

[skittlenips]

I understand what your saying and the videos on now you can see it if you want ya and when it comes down I see what your saying so I try to take alot of precautions such as the stress ball for a nose cone please comment and tell me what you think on my video

[sciencetoymaker]

Well done! Great design and clear presentation! You should now be able to add your video as a video response on this page. You mentioned that the base of the fin must not be more than the diameter of the bottle. Is that based on experiments with bigger fins? What happens if its bigger?

I look forward to seeing your launcher and launches. Keep innovating and sharing!

Slater

[halfbreedpatriot]

this is good. dude I hear a mild Christopher Walken which makes it even cooler.

[CRZBUILDER]

but this tutorial is very good

[mostaphobia]

hello ..... i searched for the PVC pipes , but unfortunately there is no place which sells it :S so i bought the CPVC pipe ...... i know that i can't do that bump with heating because it just melting , so i used a tape to make that bump , it is ok to use the CPVC ?!!

[loganmrlogan]

Thank you for posting this tutorial. Some of us are visual learners and this is exactly what I needed.

If you mentioned the size of the tire stem and I missed it, I apologize in advance. However, from watching the videos, I don't remember the size being mentioned. 

If you are following the directions exactly, you should use a 0.453 snap-in valve stem. The other size I've come across is the 5/8 or 0.625 size, which will not fit.

Thank you again for taking the time to make this video.

[cassylandreth]

so like i need all the matierials by tommorow. what do i all need?

[MrTomcarnahan]

@sciencetoymaker

There must have been a glitch in the transmission. I used a "one and one half" inch pipe. Yes ... North America. Sorry, I will have to get a digital camera to send a picture. I even tried using more than 8 cable ties to get a snugger fit ... still no good.

[skittlenips]

yes trial and error if there bigger it still tends to go end over end or spiral with a bit of a tail whip and yes ill try to get the launch pad and some launches on by monday allthough my launch pad has a few flaws but its a work in process im currently making a putt putt boat with your tutorials whan i finish i'll have done all of your projects i look forward to seeing more of you videos.