Hello all! I've spent some time already searching through the threads, but decided to join the forum and engage in conversation to make sure I get this right!
Our cub scout pack is launching rockets next weekend, the standard A engine kits. I went to the local hobby shop to find something "big and loud" so we could have something with a little wow factor. Stock was limited as is my timetable, and the shop keep offered their window display if I was willing to finish installing the needed bits. It is just over 5' tall and 2 5/8" in diameter, with substantial fins. He said if it survived the launch then I could bring it back, but if not that's ok. I bought the needed parts and a pair of parachutes, some elastic, and a pack of F15-8 engines (the biggest they had) that fit like a glove.
There is room in the engine tube for a much longer engine, but since this is what i could get my hands on I figured I would just 3d print a stop and glue it in. But that got me thinking... Is this engine going to be enough? So our came the scale...
With the engine and all accouterments this big boi weighs in at 1.5 lbs. The max liftoff for this engine is stated to be just under 1lb.
Now I am custom printing the launch rod guides and will be purchasing a metal rod just for this launch, so I have the ability to add length and increase the diameter for increased launch stability if needed, my original plan was to use a 3/16 rod at 4' long.
All I care about is that it gets off the ground and goes "up". If it doesn't hit the ideal altitude for the chutes to land it without damage that is fine, but if it were to leave the rod and turn toward my pack of scouts that would be my worst case scenario.
Most of the weight is in the wood fins at the bottom, if that makes a difference. I looked at some calculators and I'm not sure what to plug in for some of the values, I am freshly back to this hobby and my math skills in this department are very rusty...
I am here seeking your collective guidance and advice! If I do proceed with this launch I will absolutely share the video here!
Our cub scout pack is launching rockets next weekend, the standard A engine kits. I went to the local hobby shop to find something "big and loud" so we could have something with a little wow factor. Stock was limited as is my timetable, and the shop keep offered their window display if I was willing to finish installing the needed bits. It is just over 5' tall and 2 5/8" in diameter, with substantial fins. He said if it survived the launch then I could bring it back, but if not that's ok. I bought the needed parts and a pair of parachutes, some elastic, and a pack of F15-8 engines (the biggest they had) that fit like a glove.
There is room in the engine tube for a much longer engine, but since this is what i could get my hands on I figured I would just 3d print a stop and glue it in. But that got me thinking... Is this engine going to be enough? So our came the scale...
With the engine and all accouterments this big boi weighs in at 1.5 lbs. The max liftoff for this engine is stated to be just under 1lb.
Now I am custom printing the launch rod guides and will be purchasing a metal rod just for this launch, so I have the ability to add length and increase the diameter for increased launch stability if needed, my original plan was to use a 3/16 rod at 4' long.
All I care about is that it gets off the ground and goes "up". If it doesn't hit the ideal altitude for the chutes to land it without damage that is fine, but if it were to leave the rod and turn toward my pack of scouts that would be my worst case scenario.
Most of the weight is in the wood fins at the bottom, if that makes a difference. I looked at some calculators and I'm not sure what to plug in for some of the values, I am freshly back to this hobby and my math skills in this department are very rusty...
I am here seeking your collective guidance and advice! If I do proceed with this launch I will absolutely share the video here!