Another Dollar Tree Flying Saucer conversion - Snowflake Basket

[georgegassaway]

Here we go again!

There's been the Halloween Spider Web Bowl conversion:
https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?70788

And the Halloween Spider conversion
https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?129646

Now for a different "Saucer" conversion.

Found some Snowflake shaped bowls (baskets) at Dollar Tree, white and blue. Two stores I looked in both had these.

Easy to convert, much like the Halloween spider web bowls.

These do weigh a bit more than the Halloween bowls, thicker and stronger. Did three test flights in some pretty strong wind. it weathercocks a bit more than the Halloween spider web bowls do. They still boost pretty well though since the drag is the key thing about models like this more than mass. But it does mean they descend a bit faster… still safe though. Use a B6-0 or C6-0, not anything with a delay/ejection in case it weathercocked and landed before ejection.

Other parts needed:
18mm engine mount tube, 2.5" long
Engine Block for inside of 18mm tube
two 18-24mm Centering Rings
one launch lug for 1/8" rod
Balsa spacer between lug and engine mount tube

Build info:

Drill 3/4" hole in center (I used a step-drill). Drill 13/64 or 7/32" hole for launch lug hole, spaced far enough from the 3/4" hole to clear the top centering ring.

Glue one 18-24mm centering ring at the top end of the engine mount tube. Also glue in the thrust ring, flush with the top of the engine mount tube.

Slide mount into 3/4" hole. Use thick CA (which I used), or 5 minute epoxy, to help glue the mount so it is straight (90 degrees to the span). This glue will NOT actually hold well to the polypropylene plastic, but it used to help lock-in the mount after the rear ring is glued in.

Apply glue to the underside of the mount tube, below the plastic (below as relative in the flight direction), then slide second 18-24mm ring up into place, so the plastic bowl is locked between the two rings.

Glue balsa standoff to side of mount tube, parallel to launch lug hole in the bowl.

Glue lug to standoff, with upper end of lug poking thru the hole in the plastic.

DONE!

Put ignitors into B6-0 or C6-0's. Put one engine (nozzle-end down, you know) inside the engine mount tube and apply a wrap of tape around the lower end of the mount tube and engine casing.

Put onto launcher, hook up clips, and when safe, LAUNCH!

Get more engines to fly it with……

And yes, I know, some will convert them to fly with larger engines.

- George Gassaway

 

[dixontj93060]

Nice!

 

[BEC]

I bought a bunch of D12-0s on closeout....so I should make one of these with a 24mm mount. Cool!

 

[K'Tesh]

My second spiderweb rocket was built to take E motors. It worked like a charm

 

[K'Tesh]

Picked up four of the snowflake bowls today. Was going to try to launch at Garden Home Park in PDX, but the weather was bad, and since all the Boy Scouts were active on the rack, I held off... Then the weather got worse. Of course, as we were leaving, it let up, but by then everything was broken down and in cars.

At this rate, I'm guessing that around the Fourth of July, we'll be seeing red, white, and blue stars, and for St. Patrick's Day, green shamrocks, or four leaf clovers.

Lord Willing, I'll be in China by then, so if you do spot new bowl designs let me know, and I'll see if I can score some over there. I really like these candy bowl rockets.

 

[georgegassaway]

I really like these candy bowl rockets.

Sweet!

BTW - a previous St Patrick's Day model from 2007, from a Vac-formed green derby (meant to be worn) at Dollar Tree.

IIRC it was D12 powered, and flew a bit squirrely.

 

[K'Tesh]

More than half of all my flights this year has been with the spiderweb candy bowl. I'm trying to use up my motors (I'd rather burn them, than give them away, or have to toss 'em, 'cause there's no way I'm going to try to ship them overseas w/me).

BTW... Love the Derby... but you need an apple and a red tie hanging below it.

 

[bob jablonski]

Here's one of 2 I just picked up next to LG (Little Grey) the rocket kitten. The folks at my launch yesterday remember him. Rockets and even a Pitbull doesn't bother him as long as he can get attension.

 

[burkefj]

Not saucer related, but Gray kitties are awesome, here is mine....

 

[georgegassaway]

Flew some more today. Did a drag race with a Snowflake and Spider Web Bowl. Finally got a good launch pic.

 

[BEC]

I picked up three of these at Dollar Tree this evening. I think I will follow your basic approach but make one for 24mm motors first - because they are heavier and because I have a bunch of close-out D12-0s.....

 

[K'Tesh]

Amazing how expensive these "Dollar" rockets are... First there's the investment in the baskets ($8, but I live in Oregon, so no taxes), then there's the centering rings ($1.99), the motor tubes w/thrust rings ($4.79/3) (not including the cost of the new Estes HoJo that I used for its motor tube and launch lug), the drill bits ($12 (for a set of 6)), and ~$2 for the tape (masks the motor tubes)). Of course this doesn't include motors or glue, the Sharpie pens to colorize bits, or the T-Shirt ruined by fast moving Super Thin CA.

I finished two tonight, one blue, one white. Both are capable of E motors.

Now if I can only get a break in the weather, I *MIGHT* be able to launch a few times to get my 1K Ns for 2015.

 

[BEC]

Was in a Dollar Tree early this afternoon and they had a bunch of the blue snowflake bowls and a couple of white ones in the 50% off Christmas clearance section....so 50 cents each.....

 

[Kirk G]

Here's one of 2 I just picked up next to LG (Little Grey) the rocket kitten. The folks at my launch yesterday remember him. Rockets and even a Pitbull doesn't bother him as long as he can get attention.

I know what you're thinkin'.....

NO! You may NOT turn the basket over and launch that kitten!

It won't work, so stop thinkin' 'bout it RIGHT NOW!

 

[K'Tesh]

The snowflake definitely is a soft surface rocket. Launching mine in the cul-de-sac, days before leaving for China, broke the rocket upon landing. I might be able to repair it, but then again, I have 3 other blue ones, and 4 white ones that I can still make.

 

[BEC]

I finally made one of my snowflake bowls flyable with a 24mm mount. It got its first outing today at our monthly club launch, which was well attended after three consecutive rain-outs the last quarter of last year. We also had a Cub Scout pack and lots of parents in attendance.

There were lots of smiles and cheers as the blue snowflake went up and up (D12-0) and then let off a big puff of smoke as the the propellant burned through/burned out and then it flipped over and landed near the pad.

Thanks, George!

I saw a great launch shot taken by one of the young ladies in attendance - from one of our regular 4H families. As soon as they send it to me, I'll post it here.

 

[bob jablonski]

It can handle a 29mm mount and a G75M:y::eyepop

 

[Sooner Boomer]

It can handle a 29mm mount and a G75M:y::eyepop

It can handle a 38mm mount and an I800. (they only burn for a half second...)

 

[KarlS]

Been to 4 Dollar Tree stores and none of them had anything like it. Boo! I'll keep looking.

 

[K'Tesh]

Been to 4 Dollar Tree stores and none of them had anything like it. Boo! I'll keep looking.

If I don't miss my guesses, eventually there will be a heart shaped candy bowl for Valentines day, a shamrock for St. Patrick's Day, and possibly a star for the 4th of July.