Introducing The Stinky Sewer Pipe Two Rocket

[Rocketclar]

Having a bunch of spare parts and unused stuff laying around, I decided to make another rocket (#115 in the fleet). I had gotten four ¼” fins from LOC on clearance. They were made for a larger diameter rocket so I had to cut some of the tab off to fit a 4” LOC tube with a 54mm MMT. After assembly I thought that they were too heavy for just a cardboard AF so I decided to make another Stinky Sewer Pipe Rocket (described in my SR article a few years ago). The first Stinky is a high density polyethylene (HDPE) clad rocket. I went to both HD and Lowes to look for HDPE black lined pipe that I had used in the first Stinky but theirs had internal corrugated ribs to make the pipe more bendable. I happened across some thin wall PVC and bought a 10’ piece for $20. (Several years ago 10’ of the HDPE pipe cost me $9.) BTW 10’ of the thin-walled PVC weighs 7lb 2 oz. I used similar building techniques as the first Stinky. For this build I used 15min epoxy for tacking and small jobs and the West System for major gluing and fillets, both internal and external. The PVC tubing is attached to the LOC tubing with plastic rivets and some metal bolts (hence a PVC clad rocket this time.) For the coupler (ebay), I used a leftover piece of 4” Quantum Tube with an insert of PML coupler tubing. The NC is from the original Stinky, which was a 4.1” cone that I was able to purchase from Rocketry Warehouse at that time. I had replaced this original Stinky NC with one that was modified to take my Eggfinder sled. So I had the NC available again.

I have to finish the ebay. Since the diameter of the PVC is a little larger, I used my drill press circle cutter to make some 3/8” plywood bulkplates and backed them with some FG ones I had on hand. Vent and access to screw switch holes have yet to be drilled. I plan to use an Eggtimer Quasar for GPS and main altimeter with a Quantum as a backup. I will also have an Eggtimer telemetry module on board. In fact, for the last several ebays that I’ve built using Egg products I’ve added the telemetry module. Then during club launches I’ve been patching in voice readouts via Eggtimer Voice Module to our clubs PA system for the audience. Works pretty well especially if you don’t put the receiving station under the metal roof at our launch pavillion!

The first Stinky has successfully flown 15 flights on mostly K’s and has been a very rugged design (shown on the launch rail with the gray NC). I’m hoping this one will be too.

 

[Sir_Launchalot]

I will be following this build.

I always thought PVC pipe was under-rated by some of the guys here, especially since we have size locally that's a near-perfect fit for a 2.56" cone (I know, sadly a lot smaller than Stinky!) and it seems plenty strong enough. Actually in some of the smaller non-rocketry-related things I've made from PVC tube it's proven to be a lot stronger than I expected, so I say why not!

Cool project!