Widemouth Launcher
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Widemouth Launcher
My widemouth launch tube is now happily curing. It is composite tube made 1/2" PVC, 2 female slip to female threaded couplers, and 1 male threaded to female threaded connector, and a thin wall aluminum tube sheath.
The widemouth tube will screw directly on to my existing 1/2" launcher.
Still need to come up with a release mechanism.
The widemouth tube will screw directly on to my existing 1/2" launcher.
Still need to come up with a release mechanism.
Bugwubber
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Re: Widemouth Launcher
So the part that is curing is the metal tube to the pvc?
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Re: Widemouth Launcher
Right, I used cement on the internal pvc connections and then sanded everything and coated the pvc couplers in PLP.Water Rocket Expert wrote:So the part that is curing is the metal tube to the pvc?
The slot where the O-ring will go is threaded so it can come apart there. Haven't decided on a o-ring yet.
Bugwubber
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Re: Widemouth Launcher
How deep is that o-ring groove? You may have problems if the thickness of the o-ring is too small.
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Re: Widemouth Launcher
I could be wrong but I would imagine standard garden o-rings would work. I have used them with PVC and they fit.
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Re: Widemouth Launcher
Yep need a larger one.Water Rocket Expert wrote:I could be wrong but I would imagine standard garden o-rings would work. I have used them with PVC and they fit.
Bugwubber
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Re: Widemouth Launcher
Right. Likely I will fill that in with something. Going to decide after I visit Grainger.U.S. Water Rockets1 wrote:How deep is that o-ring groove? You may have problems if the thickness of the o-ring is too small.
Bugwubber
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Re: Widemouth Launcher
Looking good! I got a small collection of 3L bottles too that have been eagerly awaiting a launch tube. I was planning on using 1" PVC and getting it turned down a millimeter or two, since it such a close fit. I may try using your method.
Your lucky that you live near a Grainger :/
Your lucky that you live near a Grainger :/
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Re: Widemouth Launcher
Very lucky. There are many things I would have purchased from Grainger if I could. Maybe online but not as good.DogLover wrote:Looking good! I got a small collection of 3L bottles too that have been eagerly awaiting a launch tube. I was planning on using 1" PVC and getting it turned down a millimeter or two, since it such a close fit. I may try using your method.
Your lucky that you live near a Grainger :/
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Re: Widemouth Launcher
Tested up to 50psi tonight. Looks like it is going to work.
O-ring actually came from a hose variety pack at Stuffmart. The outside diameter is too small until you dial it in by screwing down the top lauch tube. Variable o-ring!
No milling, just shaved off the gripper ribs on the 1/2" pvc couplers.
Next I need to add a release and hope to test launch this weekend.
WRE looks like you nailed it on the o-ring comment.
O-ring actually came from a hose variety pack at Stuffmart. The outside diameter is too small until you dial it in by screwing down the top lauch tube. Variable o-ring!
No milling, just shaved off the gripper ribs on the 1/2" pvc couplers.
Next I need to add a release and hope to test launch this weekend.
WRE looks like you nailed it on the o-ring comment.
Bugwubber
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Re: Widemouth Launcher
I know what you mean by the variety pack of O-rings. Isn't that the pack of brown flat ones and black round shaped ones. The problems is when you remove the piece to take on off it breaks to easily.
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Maryland
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." -Albert Einstein
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Re: Widemouth Launcher
Not too concerned. My derby launcher has a male threaded coupling on tube 1 with over 200 launches on it. Regardless, at some point here I'll be switching my lowers over to steel.Water Rocket Expert wrote:I know what you mean by the variety pack of O-rings. Isn't that the pack of brown flat ones and black round shaped ones. The problems is when you remove the piece to take on off it breaks to easily.
Bugwubber
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Re: Widemouth Launcher
I mean the slip that you store them with. It goes through them all. Well for me, that part keeps breaking and they get lost.
Water Rocket Expert
I'm 20
Maryland
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." -Albert Einstein
I'm 20
Maryland
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." -Albert Einstein
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Re: Widemouth Launcher
Oh ok you meant what the washers came in/on. Sorry misunderstood what you meant. These came loose in a bag. I have small parts drawers and trays for that sort of thing so I just toss em in there.Water Rocket Expert wrote:I mean the slip that you store them with. It goes through them all. Well for me, that part keeps breaking and they get lost.
Bugwubber
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Re: Widemouth Launcher
Oh I see for me they come on a rod with caps and I always end up breaking the caps.
Water Rocket Expert
I'm 20
Maryland
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." -Albert Einstein
I'm 20
Maryland
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." -Albert Einstein