My First Launcher

Discussion about Compressors, hose, pipes, fittings, launchers, release mechanisms, and launch tubes.
User avatar
Prodigy Rocketry
WRA2 Member
WRA2 Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 12:18 pm

My First Launcher

Post by Prodigy Rocketry »

Hello guys,
To be honest..............this is my first launcher. I have read alot of forums and did some research to find what I thought was the best design.
For starters, you can see it is high pressure gas (liquid CO2) powered. This is because I have alot of different high pressure gases at my shop and chose this because of availability.
One of my nick names has been Macgyver, as I can see random objects and quickly find a new and sometimes better use for them. My shop has a room full of don't toss this yet "possible future project" stuff. Much of what you see here is from that room, just rearranged to launch rockets now. Much more fun, right? I have been very pleased with this launcher and my friend wants to build a launcher like it also. It has succesfully launched non reinforced bottles @ 150psi and will soon be launching re inforced bottles when finished. I will surely have to replace the main lead hose to be able to excede 300psi; but will launch at that pressure first before I purchase the hydraulic line for extreme pressure upgrade.
Lawn mower wheels, some scrap diamond plate, 50 foot hose reel, old speaker frame, 2" SS pipe, an old satellite dish aiming bracket, PVC pipe, cable ties, 1/16" cable, cable stops, barn nails 12", scrap pipe, wheel chair arm, small pullet, snap clevis, a stiff spring for a posative lock on the cable ties and some misc. hardware.
There is a simple anchor that has been made from a pipe cross drilled where 12" barn nails are hammered into the ground. These are remarkably strong and simple to remove actually with just a pull from a claw hammer used to put them in. This is very stable and holds the launcher perfectly.

These are most of the parts that I can tell without being to critcal. It took about a week to get them all together just right and the first launch was perfect. The pulley multiplies the pulling force and it it very east to launch @ 150psi. The wheel chair handle can adapt perfectly to any launch angle with quick simple button adjustments on the main support rod. The launch angle is easily adjusted with a large wingnut on the satellite bracket. I used a longer launch tube to accept rockets with long trailing fins like my Carbon Fiber rocket design. It has been a very rewarding project that has produced alot of fun.
I hope this gives you some ideas of your own. PH:
Attachments
100_4091.JPG
100_4091.JPG (126.55 KiB) Viewed 98 times
100_4083.JPG
100_4083.JPG (153.97 KiB) Viewed 98 times
100_4071.JPG
100_4071.JPG (81.47 KiB) Viewed 98 times
100_4074.JPG
100_4074.JPG (146.33 KiB) Viewed 98 times
100_4076.JPG
100_4076.JPG (96.39 KiB) Viewed 98 times
100_4079.JPG
100_4079.JPG (144.29 KiB) Viewed 98 times
100_4087.JPG
100_4087.JPG (182.33 KiB) Viewed 98 times
100_4089.JPG
100_4089.JPG (127.3 KiB) Viewed 98 times
100_4090.JPG
100_4090.JPG (160.47 KiB) Viewed 98 times
Any opinion can be raised, but few grow up to become facts.
User avatar
Prodigy Rocketry
WRA2 Member
WRA2 Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 12:18 pm

Re: My First Launcher

Post by Prodigy Rocketry »

Sorry guys, I just realized I put this in the wrong catagory. If the webmaster moves it to the launchers topics, that would be ok with me. :undecided:
Any opinion can be raised, but few grow up to become facts.
User avatar
bugwubber
WRA2 Member
WRA2 Member
Posts: 1087
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2012 2:47 am

Re: My First Launcher

Post by bugwubber »

That's awesome! Reminds me of our soap box derby car made from a bed frame and a weight lifting system that I got tired of using.

A piece of that bed frame was also used to make our water rocket derby launcher.

Bugwubber
Bugwubber

Team S.P.E.W.
User avatar
Water Rocket Expert
WRA2 Member
WRA2 Member
Posts: 622
Joined: Fri Nov 22, 2013 10:39 am

Re: My First Launcher

Post by Water Rocket Expert »

I am seeing it wrong or is it just a Clark Cable Tie launcher? It looks like you just filled one of those with liquid CO2. :W :DH: Hail: :fart: RAT: PH: TI: RO1 LS: LA: RO: OT: TH: CP: SC: TC: HJ: AG EK: DOH: WA:
Water Rocket Expert
I'm 20
Maryland
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." -Albert Einstein
User avatar
Prodigy Rocketry
WRA2 Member
WRA2 Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 12:18 pm

Re: My First Launcher

Post by Prodigy Rocketry »

Yes, it is a Clark cable tie configuration; with several rugged and convienent upgrades.
The cable tie sleeve it self gripping/locking as it has a 1.5"od spring that returns it to a locked position. No accidental launches.

The base is a lightweight (nice when you have to lug this stuff out) 15" aluminum speaker frame. The launcher base is anchored by the cross nail tube underneath and the wingnut holds it really good. The upper launcher (tilt and Clark grip) can swivel in any direction on the base also to accomodate and weather changes.

I wanted to use a tiny cable to pull the release down and affixed them to the lock collar with cable stops for a very clean look.

The wheelchair arm is extendable and adapts to any launch angle without the pull cables needing any adjustment. This also keeps the launch arm up so the rope pull is not needing any tension to make ready.



I get so much satisfaction out of a project like this. It just keeps giving, year after year. Some of my other friends are Macgyver types too and are currently trying to make one for themselves having seen how much fun these are and inexspensive too. (not the bottle of course)
TH:
Any opinion can be raised, but few grow up to become facts.