worldofglenn
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Wanting to move up from my basic estes pad, I set my eyes on something that could handle larger rockets and various conditions(wind mostly). I looked briefly at the Mantis, but the reviews kept me away.
There are a lot of home built pads out there, and I know I captured a few ideas that have been done before.
I wanted something that was stable, sturdy, a bit off the ground, and easily portable. The ability to easily change launch rods, and to leverage some of the things I already owned.
I was at first put off of PVC, because it can tend to be pretty flexible, but it won out in the end with ease of construction and lightness. The variety of connectors made it fun and one can see a lot of possibilities for add ons.
One nice thing, I was able to put it all together and try it out before gluing!
I used 3/4" pvc.
Materials:
5 4 way connectors
4 90 degree connectors
4 45 degree connectors
4 3 way "T" connectors
3 10' lengths of schedule 40 PVC
1 Jacobs Keyless drill chuck
1 10MM fine threaded 3" bolt
2 lock washers for the bolt
1 Racheting PVC pipe cutter (optional but worth it)
1 blast pad (reused from Estes)
2 36" steel rods, a 3/16 and 1/8th.
The drill chuck and pipe cutter were the most expensive parts,the drill chuck was around $18 and the pipe cutter was $11. Most of the pvc connectors were around $1.75 and the 10' lengths were about $2.80 each
I started off by sanding my blast pad clean of old blast residue and marks. I then hit it with high heat black spray paint that is used for BBQ grills. I gave the same treatment to the launch rods.
I cut 16 3" lengths of pvc and 4 2' lengths of PVC.
I took 1 4 way connector and drilled a hole through the center. I pushed the bolt through the center. I then cut about a 1" piece of PVC pipe and slid that over the bolt, then screwed the bolt onto the drill chuck.
I started assembling the launch deck and it looks like this:
It's very strong and packs away just like that. But it's also hiding a secret.
Launch pad articulation! I wanted to be able to pivot into the wind. I decided a single axis pivot would suffice. You can take 2 of the 3" lengths of pvc and cut them down slightly, so that they bridge the gap, but can retract if necessary.
Take a look at this next picture:
The two lengths marked <-> can bridge the gap when stability is needed, and retract when a launch angle into the wind is desired.
Next, take 1 of the 2' lengths of PVC, at one put the T connector on, and at the other end, connect a 45 degree, then a 3" length of PVC. You should end up with:
and then the money shot with a Pem Tech Kraken no less!
This will break down into 4 legs, the launch deck, and then the launch rods and blast pad. It was very manageble for me in the field.
You may notice that two of the 90 degree elbows have a 1/2inch screw connection. As well as a few other odds and ends. You could easily mount another launch rod and blast pad on there as well. So, chalk those up to some leftover parts and future expansion.
I will probably paint it black with yellow accents.
Comments and suggestions welcome! I hope it stimulates ideas.
There are a lot of home built pads out there, and I know I captured a few ideas that have been done before.
I wanted something that was stable, sturdy, a bit off the ground, and easily portable. The ability to easily change launch rods, and to leverage some of the things I already owned.
I was at first put off of PVC, because it can tend to be pretty flexible, but it won out in the end with ease of construction and lightness. The variety of connectors made it fun and one can see a lot of possibilities for add ons.
One nice thing, I was able to put it all together and try it out before gluing!
I used 3/4" pvc.
Materials:
5 4 way connectors
4 90 degree connectors
4 45 degree connectors
4 3 way "T" connectors
3 10' lengths of schedule 40 PVC
1 Jacobs Keyless drill chuck
1 10MM fine threaded 3" bolt
2 lock washers for the bolt
1 Racheting PVC pipe cutter (optional but worth it)
1 blast pad (reused from Estes)
2 36" steel rods, a 3/16 and 1/8th.
The drill chuck and pipe cutter were the most expensive parts,the drill chuck was around $18 and the pipe cutter was $11. Most of the pvc connectors were around $1.75 and the 10' lengths were about $2.80 each
I started off by sanding my blast pad clean of old blast residue and marks. I then hit it with high heat black spray paint that is used for BBQ grills. I gave the same treatment to the launch rods.
I cut 16 3" lengths of pvc and 4 2' lengths of PVC.
I took 1 4 way connector and drilled a hole through the center. I pushed the bolt through the center. I then cut about a 1" piece of PVC pipe and slid that over the bolt, then screwed the bolt onto the drill chuck.
I started assembling the launch deck and it looks like this:
It's very strong and packs away just like that. But it's also hiding a secret.
Launch pad articulation! I wanted to be able to pivot into the wind. I decided a single axis pivot would suffice. You can take 2 of the 3" lengths of pvc and cut them down slightly, so that they bridge the gap, but can retract if necessary.
Take a look at this next picture:
The two lengths marked <-> can bridge the gap when stability is needed, and retract when a launch angle into the wind is desired.
Next, take 1 of the 2' lengths of PVC, at one put the T connector on, and at the other end, connect a 45 degree, then a 3" length of PVC. You should end up with:
and then the money shot with a Pem Tech Kraken no less!
This will break down into 4 legs, the launch deck, and then the launch rods and blast pad. It was very manageble for me in the field.
You may notice that two of the 90 degree elbows have a 1/2inch screw connection. As well as a few other odds and ends. You could easily mount another launch rod and blast pad on there as well. So, chalk those up to some leftover parts and future expansion.
I will probably paint it black with yellow accents.
Comments and suggestions welcome! I hope it stimulates ideas.
