nozzel mold challenge

Im trying to make a small cone nozzle jig for my 1/2" I.D. pvc engine. I am compressing cat litter. any thoughts on how to do this without a lath or big tools?

You wont get much help here. Using PVC as a motor casing is a bad idea and there are many much better options. I highly recommend a parallel wound paper casing like is found in Estes motors or fireworks. Making motors and the information about that process is restricted on this site so expect this thread to disappear soon.

Make sure your nozzle mix is the right stuff. I add some paraffin wax, grog and graphite powder to my mix, heat it and mix so that it is uniform.(Paraffin makes it form easier, grog makes it stronger, graphite makes it erode less) That should result in a better nozzle using your existing process. For making shaped rammers to form your nozzle without a lathe, I'd use an oak dowel and put it in a drill or drill press. Then use sandpaper to shape it and then seal it with a few coats of high gloss paint. Ideally you'd be using a solid graphite nozzle.

Search for PVC motor cases on this forum and you will find that we think they are a terrible idea.

Making nozzles isn't a banned topic, but making sugar motors can't be discussed. So any topic related to sugar motors won't find much help here either. Making sugar motors can be very dangerous. If you continue be extremely careful. Buying already manufactured motors made by Estes (and others) is a much safer and easier option.

First step: learn to spell nozzle.
Second step: get an adult mentor.

Thank you Haeda. Very helpful. I’ll look into those materials. Any ratios advice for wax etc.? In the nozzle.

I recommend using new cat litter.

Megaman said:

Thank you Haeda. Very helpful. I’ll look into those materials. Any ratios advice for wax etc.? In the nozzle.

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https://www.skylighter.com/blogs/how-to-make-fireworks/rocket-nozzle-mix

I follow that process but also add about 2% graphite powder to the mix.

The site that has the instructions also sells parallel wound paper tubes in several sizes. There is one size they call "4oz rocket motor tube" that matches your 1/2"ID PVC. https://www.skylighter.com/collections/parallel-tubes/products/4-ounce-rocket-tube-5-inch-length They're also just a little under 18mm OD so they'll fit in a standard 18mm motor mount with a wrap or two of tape around them. They're about $0.40 each so still very cheap. Paper tubes for motor casings are much safer than PVC since PVC can shatter and paper will not. You should avoid using PVC for motor casings.

heada said:

https://www.skylighter.com/blogs/how-to-make-fireworks/rocket-nozzle-mix

I follow that process but also add about 2% graphite powder to the mix.

The site that has the instructions also sells parallel wound paper tubes in several sizes. There is one size they call "4oz rocket motor tube" that matches your 1/2"ID PVC. https://www.skylighter.com/collections/parallel-tubes/products/4-ounce-rocket-tube-5-inch-length They're also just a little under 18mm OD so they'll fit in a standard 18mm motor mount with a wrap or two of tape around them. They're about $0.40 each so still very cheap. Paper tubes for motor casings are much safer than PVC since PVC can shatter and paper will not. You should avoid using PVC for motor casings.

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Good info. I think I will end up doing that. I’m looking at loading tool sets now. Harder to find in Canada. Is there a used market for such items? Can store bought black powder be used for fuel the same way home made BP is shown on YouTube? 75, 15, 10 I think is the ratio.

Megaman said:

Good info. I think I will end up doing that. I’m looking at loading tool sets now. Harder to find in Canada. Is there a used market for such items? Can store bought black powder be used for fuel the same way home made BP is shown on YouTube? 75, 15, 10 I think is the ratio.

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I think any further questions should be in the Research section. In any event, there's a ton of useful info on the web if you look. Try searching "Dan Williams pyro" and "Wichita buggy whip".

Best -- Terry