Brainlord Mesomorph
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2018
- Messages
- 266
- Reaction score
- 26
Ok my parameters for a launch pad are (1) that it be a “pad;” short, squat, flat (i.e. not a stick on a tripod) and (2) that it be table top height, with room to lay the rocket down and work on the engine and parachute. I’m an adult, I don’t want to kneel in the grass anymore. And I also need both size launch rods.
So here’s what I have: a heavy plastic folding work bench thing that fits in my trunk, it’s a fine table, and at Home Depot I found a square foot galvanized steel plate, that cost about the same as a 3” round Estes blast deflector.
So I think I’ll build a simple wooden frame the size of the steel plate. Screw the plate to it. Bolt that to the bench, and drill two holes in it about 8” apart for the launch rods directly into a solid wooden block beneath.
I’m thinking I’ll drill holes exactly the size of the launch rod down about an inch and a half, then put in a drill bit 1/32” smaller, and then go down another half an inch. I’m assuming that when I shove the rod down in there it force fit in the smaller section and hold tight.
And that is my question. Will that work? It that enough?
My other idea is to saw a slot through the drilled hole, and put a bolt with a wingnut through the slot so I can tighten it down on the rod. (or is that overkill?)
So here’s what I have: a heavy plastic folding work bench thing that fits in my trunk, it’s a fine table, and at Home Depot I found a square foot galvanized steel plate, that cost about the same as a 3” round Estes blast deflector.
So I think I’ll build a simple wooden frame the size of the steel plate. Screw the plate to it. Bolt that to the bench, and drill two holes in it about 8” apart for the launch rods directly into a solid wooden block beneath.
I’m thinking I’ll drill holes exactly the size of the launch rod down about an inch and a half, then put in a drill bit 1/32” smaller, and then go down another half an inch. I’m assuming that when I shove the rod down in there it force fit in the smaller section and hold tight.
And that is my question. Will that work? It that enough?
My other idea is to saw a slot through the drilled hole, and put a bolt with a wingnut through the slot so I can tighten it down on the rod. (or is that overkill?)
