How to make your own High Power Parachute(HELP)

[John Feller]

Hi !

We are preparing for a rocket competition. We ordered a parachute with International Shipping via USPS, However our cargo is missing. We don't have enough time for new shipping. So we decided to get the equipments for making our own High Power parachute, 60". How can we make parachute? Do you have any video archive, etc. for this issue ?

Thanks!

 

[snrkl]

While I don’t have any online resources to throw at you, There are detailed instructions in Tim Van Milligan’s book:
https://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket_Books_Videos/Books/Model_Rocket_Design_And_Construction

I believe there are other books on model rocketry with similar instructions.

Rip stop nylon can be bought from most fabric stores. Cut it using cardboard templates and a hot soldering iron as the iron seals as it cuts.

If you google using the “site:rocketryforum.com” command, you’ll likely find more detailed instructions also like this:

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/simple-efficient-diy-chute.27000/

Which I found using this google search:

https://www.google.com.au/search?cl....0....1.........0i71j33i21j33i160.MxKlbbW99AU

 

[Wallace]

Are you located in the U.S. ? If so, just go to Home Depot and pick up a 60" golf umbrella for $4.99, strip off the canopy and sew on shroud lines. They're made out of nice lightweight ripstop nylon and pack really small. . Easily cut to smaller dimensions/spill holes with a soldering iron. I've made a lot of 'em and they work great.

 

[Handeman]

Are you located in the U.S. ? If so, just go to Home Depot and pick up a 60" golf umbrella for $4.99, strip off the canopy and sew on shroud lines. They're made out of nice lightweight ripstop nylon and pack really small. . Easily cut to smaller dimensions/spill holes with a soldering iron. I've made a lot of 'em and they work great.

+1 on the golf umbrella
I've been using various size umbrella skins as chutes for years. I use 150 lb Dacron line as shrouds, like the pull strings found in 1" window blinds. I zig-zag stitch about 5 cm of line to each seam of the umbrella and make each shroud line 1.5 times as long as the diameter of the chute. i.e. 90" shroud for a 60" diameter chute.

I've used umbrellas skins for 10 years and have had some "not so nominal" deployments over that time but the only one that ever failed tore its seams when it deployed at motor burnout at about 450 mph.

 

[Wallace]

Another option for a 60" chute is Aerocon, but it sounds like you don't have time for shipping. $12 for a 60" surplus flare chute is a super deal..They do have pretty heavy fiberglass lines though.

 

[Wallace]

If you're most important factor is time, and you can sew, umbrellas are your friend.