PVC Pipe Stands

Nice job, Jim! I keep telling myself I need to get 'round to it...

Nicely done! I made one a year ago, and I wish I had built it twenty years ago.

Good looking stands. What did you use for the padding?

Moon Knight said:

Good looking stands. What did you use for the padding?

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I used foam pipe insulation for the uprights, and rubber insulation for the bases. The rubber keeps them from sliding around so much on the plastic table.

Nice looking stands. There are a lot of good ideas on the forum that I keep planning to put to use, but can't seem to keep on track. The rockets look great, too.

These are the ones I made a month or so ago. Mine are separated so I can adjust based on the size of rocket. Helps when installing fins and fillets too! Very handy. I like the use of rubber on the feet, will keep that in mind to add to mine if the need arises.

plastic pipe, the tinker toys for adults . you can make some nice stands for rc boats with pvc too.
rex

Davidtmp said:

These are the ones I made a month or so ago. Mine are separated so I can adjust based on the size of rocket. Helps when installing fins and fillets too! Very handy. I like the use of rubber on the feet, will keep that in mind to add to mine if the need arises.

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I think those are the best I have seen.

qquake2k said:

I used foam pipe insulation for the uprights, and rubber insulation for the bases. The rubber keeps them from sliding around so much on the plastic table.

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Do you glue the foam insulation to the uprights?

Davidtmp said:

These are the ones I made a month or so ago. Mine are separated so I can adjust based on the size of rocket. Helps when installing fins and fillets too! Very handy. I like the use of rubber on the feet, will keep that in mind to add to mine if the need arises.

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Now that's a clever idea!

Tronman said:

Do you glue the foam insulation to the uprights?

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No, the insulation fits tight enough that they don't need glue.

Tronman said:

Do you glue the foam insulation to the uprights?

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If you cut it right, you shouldn't. I have a couple I think I cut a tad long, and it wants to push the cap off the end. I may go back and add a little tape to the ends to make it a bit more snug.

Davidtmp said:

If you cut it right, you shouldn't. I have a couple I think I cut a tad long, and it wants to push the cap off the end. I may go back and add a little tape to the ends to make it a bit more snug.

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Can't you just trim the insulation shorter?

Both of these designs are great. You can use 2 for long rockets and probably store better than mine.

qquake2k said:

Can't you just trim the insulation shorter?

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it's possible. I kind of just eyed the length. But some of the caps are a little loose. I don't really want to go the glue route, so a little tape should make it snug. I wanted to be sure I didn't have any gaps between the cross and the cap on the end......I know, a little OCD.

Davidtmp said:

These are the ones I made a month or so ago. Mine are separated so I can adjust based on the size of rocket. Helps when installing fins and fillets too! Very handy. I like the use of rubber on the feet, will keep that in mind to add to mine if the need arises.

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Nice! Those look familliar:



I need to make bigger ones now that I'm getting into HPR. These have worked for my Wildman Jr., but they might not cut it for the 3" Darkstar that's next.

Davidtmp said:

These are the ones I made a month or so ago. Mine are separated so I can adjust based on the size of rocket. Helps when installing fins and fillets too! Very handy. I like the use of rubber on the feet, will keep that in mind to add to mine if the need arises.

View attachment 115418

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Going to Lowe's tomorrow and get the parts to build a pair of this design, thanks for sharing this with us.

I have been using a two tiered version for the last few years. Very handy!

Can someone point to where I can PVC pipes to make a stand like those pictured in this thread. My local hardware stores don't carry this kind, and in particular, they don't carry the "X" cross-piece, because an "X" doesn't make sense in "plumbing logic".

Any Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware store should carry them.
I have used the “x” fittings for my irrigation system. Pretty common use.

I used the furniture grade PVR pipe.

Beyond the superior finish, it is considerably stronger if comparing diameter to diameter, which is why I purchased it. I wanted a cradle that would easily handle heavy rockets and stand the time, without being a behemoth to lug around to launches.

Mine breaks down into a bag that I had made for it. These options have made it a really convenient thing to pack.

That is if I remember to pack it!

timbucktoo said:

Any Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware store should carry them.
I have used the “x” fittings for my irrigation system. Pretty common use.

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Well apparently, that last salesman I spoke to isn't into irrigation. I'm actually going to have to order these online, since I've been to all the regular hardware stores in my area, including Home Depot.

mpitfield said:

I used the furniture grade PVR pipe.

Beyond the superior finish, it is considerably stronger if comparing diameter to diameter, which is why I purchased it. I wanted a cradle that would easily handle heavy rockets and stand the time, without being a behemoth to lug around to launches.

Mine breaks down into a bag that I had made for it. These options have made it a really convenient thing to pack.

That is if I remember to pack it!

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I might go with PVR depending on cost and availability, but the main goal here is simply to build a first HPR, so quality is just a bonus.

Funkworks said:

Can someone point to where I can PVC pipes to make a stand like those pictured in this thread. My local hardware stores don't carry this kind, and in particular, they don't carry the "X" cross-piece, because an "X" doesn't make sense in "plumbing logic".

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Try a local electrical contractor or supplier. They use/sell PVC conduit and fittings.

Note that the electrical conduit is a different size to the plumbing stuff, so the fittings are not interchangeable. Plumbing is normally measured by inside diameter, electrical by OD.

OverTheTop said:

Note that the electrical conduit is a different size to the plumbing stuff, so the fittings are not interchangeable. Plumbing is normally measured by inside diameter, electrical by OD.

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Yes. Personally, I prefer to use the plumbing PVC pipe because it is stronger and the available couplings and fittings are more useful.

Funkworks said:

Can someone point to where I can PVC pipes to make a stand like those pictured in this thread. My local hardware stores don't carry this kind, and in particular, they don't carry the "X" cross-piece

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Same as you, not in the big stores. I had to go to the plumbing supply store. Look around your area if you have someplace that serves plumbing contractors. They should have those.

Also, there's some nice padding available at Dollar Tree. Toy department. plastic nunchucks. perfect fit for 1/2" pvc. $1 total for all of this green stuff. It's not oversized like pipe insulation, and you don't have to buy 6' of it.

Funkworks said:

Well apparently, that last salesman I spoke to isn't into irrigation. I'm actually going to have to order these online, since I've been to all the regular hardware stores in my area, including Home Depot.



I might go with PVR depending on cost and availability, but the main goal here is simply to build a first HPR, so quality is just a bonus.

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I purchased mine from here https://formufit.com/

Here is a pic of the cut parts, also attached is an excel spreadsheet that breaks things down.



I found some silicone rubber tubing that is very grippy and fits perfectly around the tube. I had to boil the tube then using a bit of soapy water slip it over the tube. Once dry, it doesn't move, or at least mine hasn't three years. Below is a pic of a dry fitting test; it resulted in me realizing that I had to boil and rubber tubing to get it to slip over the PVC tubing.



Here are the stands assembled. They support three rockets at a time and disassemble into four pieces, the two ends, the center "H" piece and the single tube at the top. The rubber feet are a from walkers or canes, they are available all over the place, again a very tight fit.

I did it! I found some "X" cross-pieces! I went back to the same Home Depot to get some dowels and just had to go down the piping aisle just one more time. While scrutinizing a "T" piece with my right hand, I put my left hand in the sole unmarked bin and to my great surprise, it grabbed an "X"! That one bin with no white descriptive sticker on it, had exactly what I was looking for!

And skipping gleefully all the way back to the shed with his chin held high and an ominous yet joyful interpretation of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana playing in the back of his mind, the little vermin made it to his trusty laptop to announce his great discovery to the world. In the blink of an eye, the gates of high-powered rocketry swung wide open to allow a new hopeful into its ranks. Will he succeed? Will he give it all up to dance Flamenco instead? Find out if the fake little martian makes it through in the next instalment of ... Ah screw it.

mpitfield said:

I purchased mine from here https://formufit.com/

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Thanks, I might order these as well.

Happiness is when you finally find what you’ve been looking for. I went with the cheap and simple version. All straight pieces are 2” long and I still have plenty of left over piping. Had to use epoxy around the “X” pieces but it’s only $1.50 at the dollar store. All set now to order and build my biggest rocket yet.