Cheezy Water Rocket Toy with Potential

[U.S. Water Rockets]

Alright, I was a little worried about what I was going to use for hinge pins but I've decided to try pieces of a broken fishing pole.

Some positive developments, with the pins in place the latches self release when they are not held in place which is what I was hoping for.

tmp_24379-IMG_20141219_184721-885523377.jpg

That's really well made! Nice and light, and it would be competition legal because it's made from wood and plastic! That's really great work.

[Blenderite]

I am totally using this for a staging mechanism!!

[bugwubber]

That looks good so far.
Do you use polish to make it waterproof?
Cheers

I used epoxy since I had it handy.

[bugwubber]

A lot of these toys fail because they are just not very impressive in real life. They put all kinds of safety devices in them to prevent them from hurting people, and that inherently causes them to perform terribly. They limit the pressure, which hurts the maximum altitude. They restrict the nozzle, limiting the speed it will fly. The two things that would "wow" kids, are crippled.

We have a collection of water rocket toys that people have sent us over the years, and you'd be amazed at the lengths they go for safety. One of them even has this weighted pendulum inside that prevents the launcher from activating if the rocket is not held within about 5 degrees of vertical.

Plus, with people us demonstrating how to make better water rockets on YouTube and here on the forum, kids probably just make their own water rockets and skip buying the overpriced toy.

I found a video of some kids playing with one on youtube!
[youtube][/youtube]

While it appears to be fairly entertaining, keep repeating "80 pumps" in your head while you watch the video.

[bugwubber]

I am totally using this for a staging mechanism!!

Just wanted to pass this piece of advice along while it was still fresh in my head. Label everything L or R! I did not, and mixed up the reassembly a couple times.

[bugwubber]

Alright, I was a little worried about what I was going to use for hinge pins but I've decided to try pieces of a broken fishing pole.

Some positive developments, with the pins in place the latches self release when they are not held in place which is what I was hoping for.

tmp_24379-IMG_20141219_184721-885523377.jpg

That's really well made! Nice and light, and it would be competition legal because it's made from wood and plastic! That's really great work.

Thank you!

Yep not a bit of metal needed. The launch tube is plugged but has a small hole drilled in it so no non-return valve issues to deal with either.

I glued on a launcher fitting tonight. It is ready to launch as soon as I feel the PLP is cured. I think that shall be tomorrow. :-)

[bugwubber]

Test fire at 40psi. Air only because I didn't want to get wet.

[youtube][/youtube]

And in slow motion...

[youtube][/youtube]

[ptx]

It looks promising, well done!

[U.S. Water Rockets]

While it appears to be fairly entertaining, keep repeating "80 pumps" in your head while you watch the video.

We came across that same video the other day. We were hoping to find a better copy of the commercial in FHD or something, so we could see even better and found the same video. The kids seemed to be doing it a little wrong. The rocket looks like it works better with an underhanded toss rather than trying to throw it like a U.S. Football.

[bugwubber]

While it appears to be fairly entertaining, keep repeating "80 pumps" in your head while you watch the video.

We came across that same video the other day. We were hoping to find a better copy of the commercial in FHD or something, so we could see even better and found the same video. The kids seemed to be doing it a little wrong. The rocket looks like it works better with an underhanded toss rather than trying to throw it like a U.S. Football.

Well that and standing in front of it!

[Blenderite]

Had some spare time today so I made this.

[U.S. Water Rockets]

Had some spare time today so I made this.

Nice video! We had something different in mind but only have part of the video done. We'll post ours when it's ready.

[bugwubber]

Had some spare time today so I made this.

That's a greatl video. What program did you use to make that?

[bugwubber]

Here's some pictures of the components
Essentially built on 1/2" CPVC (copper pipe size) tube with 1/2"PVC over the CPVC for the launch tube.
The claws are 3/16" ABS (I think)

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tmp_518-20141220_2121082121019611.jpg (2.39 MiB) Viewed 7 times

tmp_518-20141220_2119091625089867.jpg (3.38 MiB) Viewed 7 times

[U.S. Water Rockets]

Had some spare time today so I made this.

That's a greatl video. What program did you use to make that?

Based on his handle on the forum, "Blender" would be a good guess!