Pocket Rocket Launcher
This is a real rocket launcher that fits in your pocket. It is easy and cheap! If you like it, vote for it!
Parts and Tools
Almost All Of These Can Be Bought At Radioshack:
Altoids Tin
DPDT Heavy Duty Rocker Switch
Mini SPST Momentary Pushbutton Switch
Red LED With Holder And Built In Resistor
9 Volt Battery Snap
9 Volt Battery
9/16th Inch Wide Copper Tubing (Can Be Found At Radioshack)
Alligator Clip Test Leads
Wire
A10-3T or A10-PT Rocket Engines (Available At Hobbytown)
Tools:
Wire Strippers
Pliers
Metal Snippers
Pocket Knife
Soldering Iron
Hot Glue Gun
Pipe Cutter
Drill
Large Drill Bits
Small Drill Bit
Block Of Wood
Clamp
Altoids Tin
DPDT Heavy Duty Rocker Switch
Mini SPST Momentary Pushbutton Switch
Red LED With Holder And Built In Resistor
9 Volt Battery Snap
9 Volt Battery
9/16th Inch Wide Copper Tubing (Can Be Found At Radioshack)
Alligator Clip Test Leads
Wire
A10-3T or A10-PT Rocket Engines (Available At Hobbytown)
Tools:
Wire Strippers
Pliers
Metal Snippers
Pocket Knife
Soldering Iron
Hot Glue Gun
Pipe Cutter
Drill
Large Drill Bits
Small Drill Bit
Block Of Wood
Clamp
Getting the Tin Ready
This step is creating holes for the rocket and switches to go through.
Parts And Tools: Altoids Tin, Pliers, Metal Snippers, Drill, Large Drill Bits, A Small Drill Bit,Round File, Clamp, Wood Block
Step 1: Bend the metal tabs holding the lid on back. Remove the lid. Bend one tab so it there is no hole in the tin. Then bend one tab so it is flat against the tin. (Photo 1)
Step 2: Cut off the bottom metal on one of the holes on the lid. (Photo 2)
Step 3: Mark the size of the holes for the switch and tubing. Put a block of wood in the tin and clamp it down. This makes the tin not bend. Drill them out. If the holes aren't big enough, file them out.(Photos 3, 4, 5, and 6)
Step 3:Drill a Hole in the back for the LED using previous techniques. (Photo 7)
Step 4: Shave off some of the screw on ring of the rocker switch. (Photo 8)
Step 5: Cut an approximately 3 in. piece of pipe. If the pipe cutter made an indent on the pipe file it out. (Photo 9 and 10
Step 6: Check and see if everything fits. (Photo 11)
Parts And Tools: Altoids Tin, Pliers, Metal Snippers, Drill, Large Drill Bits, A Small Drill Bit,Round File, Clamp, Wood Block
Step 1: Bend the metal tabs holding the lid on back. Remove the lid. Bend one tab so it there is no hole in the tin. Then bend one tab so it is flat against the tin. (Photo 1)
Step 2: Cut off the bottom metal on one of the holes on the lid. (Photo 2)
Step 3: Mark the size of the holes for the switch and tubing. Put a block of wood in the tin and clamp it down. This makes the tin not bend. Drill them out. If the holes aren't big enough, file them out.(Photos 3, 4, 5, and 6)
Step 3:Drill a Hole in the back for the LED using previous techniques. (Photo 7)
Step 4: Shave off some of the screw on ring of the rocker switch. (Photo 8)
Step 5: Cut an approximately 3 in. piece of pipe. If the pipe cutter made an indent on the pipe file it out. (Photo 9 and 10
Step 6: Check and see if everything fits. (Photo 11)
Solder It
This is the step when you solder the switches and stuff.
Parts and tools: Rocker Switch, Push Momentary Switch, LED, 9 Volt Battery Snap, Soldering Iron, Solder, Wire, Wire Stripper
Step 1: Cut the alligator clips in half so you have 2 alligator clips with wires.
Step 2: Solder the battery snap's black wire, the LED's black wire, and 1 alligator clip together. Be sure to slip on shrink wrap before you solder it. Then shrink the shrink wrap. (Pictures 1 and 2)
Step 3: Solder the red wire from the battery snap to 1 of the tabs on it. Be sure to shrink wrap it. Then, solder a short piece of wire to the other tab. (Pictures 3, 4, and 5)
Step 4: Solder the red wire from the LED, a short piece of wire, and the wire from the rocker switch together. Shrink wrap it all with the short piece of wire sticking out back towards the switch(Picture 6 shows what I mean).(Picture 6) *Disregard the color of the wire, it was just some salvaged wire.
Step 5: Solder the short piece of wire to one of the tabs on the momentary switch, and shrink wrap it. Solder the other alligator clip to the other tab of the momentary switch and shrink wrap it.(Pictures 7 and 8)
Step 6: When you turn the rocker switch on, the back LED should light up. If the alligator clips are touching and you press the momentary switch, the LED should go out. (Picture 9)
Parts and tools: Rocker Switch, Push Momentary Switch, LED, 9 Volt Battery Snap, Soldering Iron, Solder, Wire, Wire Stripper
Step 1: Cut the alligator clips in half so you have 2 alligator clips with wires.
Step 2: Solder the battery snap's black wire, the LED's black wire, and 1 alligator clip together. Be sure to slip on shrink wrap before you solder it. Then shrink the shrink wrap. (Pictures 1 and 2)
Step 3: Solder the red wire from the battery snap to 1 of the tabs on it. Be sure to shrink wrap it. Then, solder a short piece of wire to the other tab. (Pictures 3, 4, and 5)
Step 4: Solder the red wire from the LED, a short piece of wire, and the wire from the rocker switch together. Shrink wrap it all with the short piece of wire sticking out back towards the switch(Picture 6 shows what I mean).(Picture 6) *Disregard the color of the wire, it was just some salvaged wire.
Step 5: Solder the short piece of wire to one of the tabs on the momentary switch, and shrink wrap it. Solder the other alligator clip to the other tab of the momentary switch and shrink wrap it.(Pictures 7 and 8)
Step 6: When you turn the rocker switch on, the back LED should light up. If the alligator clips are touching and you press the momentary switch, the LED should go out. (Picture 9)
Finishing Touches
For the finishing touches you need:
Hot Glue Gun, Hot Glue Sticks, Soda Can, Scissors, Metal Snips, Electrical Tape(Optional), Scissors
Step 1: Measure and cut a piece of soda can metal the length and height of the tin, with a notch big enough for the wires to go through. Cover with tape for a "stealthy" look. This is the blast shield.(Picture 1)
Step 2: Glue all of the solder points and wires down, except for the alligator clips and battery snap. Also, glue the blast shield and launch tube. (Picture 2)
Step 3: Cut out a slot on top for the rocker switch so you can close it all the way. (Pictures 3 and 4)
Hot Glue Gun, Hot Glue Sticks, Soda Can, Scissors, Metal Snips, Electrical Tape(Optional), Scissors
Step 1: Measure and cut a piece of soda can metal the length and height of the tin, with a notch big enough for the wires to go through. Cover with tape for a "stealthy" look. This is the blast shield.(Picture 1)
Step 2: Glue all of the solder points and wires down, except for the alligator clips and battery snap. Also, glue the blast shield and launch tube. (Picture 2)
Step 3: Cut out a slot on top for the rocker switch so you can close it all the way. (Pictures 3 and 4)
Launching!!!!
This is what you need to launch it:
The assembled launcher, rocket motor, rocket ignitor, ignitor plug, gloves, common sense, a properly functioning brain
Step 1: Insert the ignitor and plug into the rocket and slide down the tube. Connect the alligator clips. Put on your gloves and turn on the rocker switch. Make sure the LED comes on. (Photo 1)
Step 2: Use your brain and common sense. Point away from people, pets, and flammable things. Press the button. After a little delay and a puff of smoke, off it goes!!!!! (Photo 2)
HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and be safe
The assembled launcher, rocket motor, rocket ignitor, ignitor plug, gloves, common sense, a properly functioning brain
Step 1: Insert the ignitor and plug into the rocket and slide down the tube. Connect the alligator clips. Put on your gloves and turn on the rocker switch. Make sure the LED comes on. (Photo 1)
Step 2: Use your brain and common sense. Point away from people, pets, and flammable things. Press the button. After a little delay and a puff of smoke, off it goes!!!!! (Photo 2)
HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and be safe