Based on the brilliant ProRail Base (now referred to as Rail Launch Pad Base) built by John Coker
Many years ago, Inspired by John Coker's launch pad design, I built my own variant Rail Base for HPR use. My variant is designed around 2" square tube material, and handles anything that can launch using buttons for the standard 1010 8020 rail (F thru J impulse). My variant was completely assembled using stainless nuts and bolts, as I did not have access (or funding) to weld capabilities. The pad has served me well:
Now I have a need to build another pad, this time in support of much larger projects that will handle L, M & N impulse, utilizing the 1515 8020 rail, and supporting rockets weighing 45 to 100 pounds. This variant is a complete upscale of my original build, and will be based on 3" square Aluminum tube.
For the original pad I built, I sourced the raw material from OnlineMetals.com. The cost of raw material from Online Metals for this new build was a bit staggering, at $400+ I did a little consumer research shopping and stumbled across Mid West Steel & Aluminum; even with $51 shipping included, the cost for raw material was a comfortable $235!
My wife said that the UPS guy was not happy dragging this box off the truck, but stated he was glad it was off the truck...
To my surprise, based the condition of the box, no parts material was lost in transit...
Once unboxed, the parts looked a little like overkill, especially considering the material alone weighs 61lbs without the rail, or any connecting nuts, bolt and washers... You can smell the cutting oil on this material... luv it!
Before I get to full design and assembly, deburring the material is first and foremost the most important first task...
Many years ago, Inspired by John Coker's launch pad design, I built my own variant Rail Base for HPR use. My variant is designed around 2" square tube material, and handles anything that can launch using buttons for the standard 1010 8020 rail (F thru J impulse). My variant was completely assembled using stainless nuts and bolts, as I did not have access (or funding) to weld capabilities. The pad has served me well:
Now I have a need to build another pad, this time in support of much larger projects that will handle L, M & N impulse, utilizing the 1515 8020 rail, and supporting rockets weighing 45 to 100 pounds. This variant is a complete upscale of my original build, and will be based on 3" square Aluminum tube.
For the original pad I built, I sourced the raw material from OnlineMetals.com. The cost of raw material from Online Metals for this new build was a bit staggering, at $400+ I did a little consumer research shopping and stumbled across Mid West Steel & Aluminum; even with $51 shipping included, the cost for raw material was a comfortable $235!
My wife said that the UPS guy was not happy dragging this box off the truck, but stated he was glad it was off the truck...
To my surprise, based the condition of the box, no parts material was lost in transit...
Once unboxed, the parts looked a little like overkill, especially considering the material alone weighs 61lbs without the rail, or any connecting nuts, bolt and washers... You can smell the cutting oil on this material... luv it!
Before I get to full design and assembly, deburring the material is first and foremost the most important first task...