Let's see your launch towers!

[liv3mind]

I am starting a print of your 29mm tower. Thank you for uploading the file. Excited to see how it works! Im doing mine out of ABS.

 

[GrouchoDuke]

Awesome! ABS should work great too. I just updated my Thingiverse page with a link to the Aluminum angle extrusion I used for the support structure. I also added my 24mm tower here:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3712223

Let it be known that if you break any of my altitude records using my launch tower design, you owe me a beer.

Here's the 24mm tower in action:

 

[liv3mind]

Awesome! ABS should work great too. I just updated my Thingiverse page with a link to the Aluminum angle extrusion I used for the support structure. I also added my 24mm tower here:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3712223

Let it be known that if you break any of my altitude records using my launch tower design, you owe me a beer.

Here's the 24mm tower in action:
View attachment 386867

Definitely appreciate it, if by some miracle I do I will send you a couple six packs of your choosing [emoji869]

 

[GrouchoDuke]

Definitely appreciate it, if by some miracle I do I will send you a couple six packs of your choosing [emoji869]

Haha, sounds great. I'd rather meet up for a multi-day launch and celebrate your record over a few drinks though.

I'm planning a G record attempt this weekend...fingers crossed!

 

[liv3mind]

Slowly getting there

 

[liv3mind]

First print complete and 2nd started. Turned out beautifully.

 

[GrouchoDuke]

First print complete and 2nd started. Turned out beautifully.

Awesome!

 

[Crumb fire]

IIRC UHMWPE is what's wanted here, quite slippery and reasonably tough.

I use this:

https://www.slideways.com/collectio...ts/round-top-guide-rail?variant=9447320453164

 

[GrouchoDuke]

BDB requested a 4-fin version of my 29mm launch tower 3d-printed brackets. I was bored on the couch, so I slapped one together. I haven't printed it, so this is completely untested. However, here it is: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4092607

 

[BDB]

BDB requested a 4-fin version of my 29mm launch tower 3d-printed brackets. I was bored on the couch, so I slapped one together. I haven't printed it, so this is completely untested. However, here it is: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4092607

Thanks!

The plan is to use it for my daughter's Apogee Aspire. I'll print it this weekend and report back to tell you how it works.

 

[GrouchoDuke]

Thanks!

The plan is to use it for my daughter's Apogee Aspire. I'll print it this weekend and report back to tell you how it works.

You're welcome. I hope it works great for her Aspire.

I put notches for 3 pieces of L aluminum, but you should really only need 2. Unless you just want extra strength, I think you'd be fine with one opposite the 1010 rail hole and one more on another side.

Good luck with it!

 

[Denis Grguric]

Has anyone added something to the inside of the rails to reduce scraping on the rocket?

Some of this tapes should help:

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company...E-Film-Tape-5490/?N=5002385+3293241698&rt=rud

https://www.e-aircraftsupply.com/products/Tapes/6303836/P421-NAT

 

[HyperSonic]

Here are some pics of my tower that I'm going to use to launch PePe at Airfest this year. It's made from 3/16 inch steel plate cut out on a waterjet at work. The four corners are 1010 rail 8 foot long. The four rails are 3/4 EMT conduit 10 foot long.

 

[powderperson1949]

That looks great!!!

 

[Blast it Tom!]

uh... I'm just getting started again... I'll, uh, get my coat... I can show myself out, thanks!

 

[steveh.jae]

I designed my tower systems to handle 3 or 4 fins, 29mm - 5" OD. It can be reconfigured in about 15 minutes. It uses 3/16" steel rings and 1" EMT conduit for the rails. I changed the design to use a solid 3/16" steel base plate instead of the ring pictured here. It isn't cheap, but it's probably the easiest to configure tower of any on the market.

https://ape-rc.com/#!/Adjustable-Launch-Tower-System/p/52604059/category=11909535

Hi Chris, I’m just seeing your post now, and the link shows the freakin’ AWSOME tower you engineered and built as unavailable. Is it something you would make again? I hope so.

Best Regards
Steve

 

[steveh.jae]

Hi, Ralf !

The tension on the screws is pre-adjusted by the Rocketeer. Usually, the friction is sufficient and no re-adjustment is needed.

Dave F.

Dave, is “friction” measured in ‘thousandths’ or do you stick your tongue out and tilt your head? What do YOU prefer as ‘proper clearance’? No criticism, just asking. Someone mentioned using felt, is that a bad idea? Granted that you’ll have to change them as they get scorched

 

[steveh.jae]

Ralf,

If you send me an email, I will send you a Dropbox invitation to a large amount of tower information.

[email protected]

Dave F.

Dave please send me the LT information you have also. Thanks!

 

[Ez2cDave]

Dave, is “friction” measured in ‘thousandths’ or do you stick your tongue out and tilt your head? What do YOU prefer as ‘proper clearance’? No criticism, just asking. Someone mentioned using felt, is that a bad idea? Granted that you’ll have to change them as they get scorched

Dave please send me the LT information you have also. Thanks!

"Sufficient friction" is determined when the rocket does not cause the rails to move and the Rocketeer must apply significant force to them to readjust their spacing. On some tower designs, the supports are not kept in position by Friction, at all.

The "Versa Tower" and similar designs use Friction, whereas a Tower that I designed ( last pic ) requires adjusting bolts and locking them in place. ( Slow to adjust but, once set, they "stay put" ).

Send me an email to get the Tower info.

[email protected]

Dave F.

 

[Blast it Tom!]

My, that's some pretty machining work. Are those fine-thread screws and turnbuckles? Who did those fancy green rings?

 

[Ez2cDave]

My, that's some pretty machining work. Are those fine-thread screws and turnbuckles? Who did those fancy green rings?

I did that all, myself, using common hand tools.

Rings :

9" diameter PVC / 1/2" thick walls . . . ( I have 4 more, larger, rings, if anybody is interested - See Pic )

Rings were "sliced", by hand, using a Hack Saw ( about 30 minutes per cut / 1 hour per ring ) . . . An "arm buster" !
The Lightening holes were done, using a 2 1/2" Doorknob Hole Saw on a 3/8" Electric Drill.

Alignment / Support Bars :

1" square aluminum tubing. Double through-bolted to each ring, for rigidity.

Rails :

1/2" Aluminum U-Channel, with Brass "Hurricane / Storm Shutter mounting insert, screwed into the channel and braced with epoxy.

Adjusters:

L-O-N-G 1/4" bolts, with Long Hex Nuts and a Wing Nut to lock-in final adjustment.

Dave F.

 

[steveh.jae]

I did that all, myself, using common hand tools.

Rings :

12" diameter PVC / 3/4" thick walls . . . ( I have 4 more, if anybody is interested - See Pic )

Rings were "sliced", by hand, using a Hack Saw ( about 30 minutes per cut / 1 hour per ring ) . . . An "arm buster" !
The Lightening holes were done, using a 2 1/2" Doorknob Hole Saw on a 3/8" Electric Drill.

Alignment / Support Bars :

1" square aluminum tubing. Double through-bolted to each ring, for rigidity.

Rails :

1/2" Aluminum U-Channel, with Brass "Hurricane / Storm Shutter mounting insert, screwed into the channel and braced with epoxy.

Adjusters:

L-O-N-G 1/4" bolts, with Long Hex Nuts and a Wing Nut to lock-in final adjustment.

Dave F.

View attachment 426918

Sent you an email Dave. I am VERY interested in purchasing the 4 halos you have. Please advise. Thanks!

Steve

 

[Blast it Tom!]

I just get amazed at "mad skilz" around this place!

 

[Ez2cDave]

Sent you an email Dave. I am VERY interested in purchasing the 4 halos you have. Please advise. Thanks!

Steve

Steve,

Congratulations on your recent acquisition of the 4 "Halos" . . . ENJOY !

Dave F.

 

[steveh.jae]

Steve,

Congratulations on your recent acquisition of the 4 "Halos" . . . ENJOY !

Dave F.

Thanks Dave! What is the largest airframe you launched with your tower?

 

[Ez2cDave]

My tower uses 9" diameter rings and was built for LPR NAR Competition . . . Your rings are considerably larger.

2" diameter is probably the largest for me ( Egglofters ), given the size and its intended usage. That rocket in the pic is BT-50 diameter.

Dave F.

 

[FredA]

Here's a "smaller" rocket coming out of the lower half our big tower shown in post #80 of this thread.
It's a 4.5" x 11' flying on it's last flight on an 90% N-3800 with a 4.5 sec burntime.
Last flight because it was tuned to confetti at about Mach-2.....

I love how it looks coming out of the tower - how it lights up the guides.
This motor has ~20ft flame - just didn't catch it in frame as it left too quickly!

 

[GrouchoDuke]

Sneak peak of the redesign of my 38mm 3d printed tower. I only have a Prusa Mini right now, so this is designed to fit on a 180x180mm bed. It'll fit rockets as big as a Go Devil 38.

 

[Ez2cDave]

Sneak peak of the redesign of my 38mm 3d printed tower. I only have a Prusa Mini right now, so this is designed to fit on a 180x180mm bed. It'll fit rockets as big as a Go Devil 38.

How do you think the plastic will hold up to the heat ?

Dave F.

 

[GrouchoDuke]

How do you think the plastic will hold up to the heat ?

Yep, no problems. I've flown up to J1026s off a similar tower with zero problems using PETG printed parts.