PVC High Power Rocket Launch Pad Tilt-n-Swivel
Head
Larry Schwartz
LESchwartz@Victorinc.com
Description:
The following directions are for use in the construction of a Tilt-n-Swivel head for a High Power Rocket Launch Pad made from readily available PVC pipe and fittings.
Disclaimer: The author has
successfully used the pad detailed in these instructions to launch high power
rockets of up to five pounds. However,
the author can make no guarantees about the your use of these plans. Thus they are presented for educational
purposes only, and author accepts no responsibility for there use.
Tools Required:
|
· Miter saw. |
· 5/16 Drill bit. |
|
· Carpenters Square (Measures 45˚ angles). |
· Tape measure. |
|
· ½ Deep well socket & ratchet drive. |
· 3/8 Electric Drill. |
|
· Scribe or pencil. |
· Scrap 4 x 4 lumber |
Parts:
|
Quant |
Description |
Price Each |
Price |
Comments |
|
2 |
4-7/8 L x 1-1/4
Schedule 40 PVC Pipe |
|
$0.00 |
Left over from
previous project |
|
2 |
2-1/2 L x 1-1/4
Schedule 40 PVC Pipe |
|
$0.00 |
|
|
1 |
3 L x 1-1/4
Schedule 40 PVC Pipe |
|
$0.00 |
|
|
1 |
4 L x 1-1/4
Schedule 40 PVC Pipe |
|
$0.00 |
|
|
1 |
1-1/4 PVC Slip
Union |
$3.50 |
$3.50 |
|
|
4 |
1-1/4 PVC Slip
Tee |
$1.10 |
$4.40 |
|
|
4 |
1-1/4 Street
Elbow |
$1.50 |
$6.00 |
|
|
1 |
1-1/4 Slip Cap |
$0.65 |
$0.65 |
|
|
1 |
1-1/4 Slip Plug |
$0.85 |
$0.85 |
|
|
1 |
2 L x 3/4
Galvanized Pipe Nipple |
$0.60 |
$0.60 |
|
|
1 |
3/4 Threaded Gate
Valve |
$5.80 |
$5.80 |
|
|
1 |
3/8 x 10-1/2 Eye
& Eye Turnbuckle |
$1.80 |
$1.80 |
Ύ Eye |
|
2 |
5/16 NC x 3 Eye
Bolt |
$5.80 |
$5.80 |
Ύ Eye |
|
2 |
3/4 Clevis Pin |
$1.00 |
$2.00 |
|
|
2 |
1/8 Hitch Pin
Clip |
$0.4 |
$0.80 |
|
|
4 |
5/16 NC Nut |
$0.10 |
$0.40 |
|
|
4 |
5/16 Washer |
$0.05 |
$0.20 |
|
|
|
|
Total |
$32.80 |
|
Assembly Instructions:
1) Cut all PVC pipes to length using a miter saw. Measure twice, cut once!
2) Prepare the hinge: Sort through the various tees and elbows, and select one tee and two elbows. The male end of the elbows should slide freely inside the tee. These three parts will form the hinge Mark these parts for ready identification and set them aside. (It may be necessary to sand two of the elbows to enable them to slide the tee.)
3) Prepare the cap and plug:
a) Drill a 5/16 hole in the center of the cap and plug.
b) Place one 5/16 NC nut on each eyebolt and tighten until it is near the end of the threads.
c) Place one washer on one of the eyebolts. Place a washer onto the eyebolt. Place the cap over the eyebolt. Place another washer onto the eyebolt. Place a 5/16 NC nut onto the eyebolt and tighten. Finally, place another 5/16 NC nut onto the eyebolt and tighten this prevents vibration the loosening the nuts.
d) Repeat step C with the plug.
e) The end result should look like this.
4) Assemble the hinge:
a) Glue one each of the 4-7/8 L pipe onto the two remaining elbows.
b) Temporarily insert one each of the assemblies from step A into the elbows selected to form the hinge.
c) Glue one of the assemblies from step A into one of the remaining tees, and angle the tee at 45˚. (Click here for a photo.) The glue sets quickly, so you may need a partner to help hold the square for this step! Also, take care not to glue the tee you selected for use as the hinge.
d) Glue other assembly from step A into the opposite end of the remaining tees, and square by pressing all four elbows against a flat work surface. (Click here for a photo.) Take care not to glue the tee you selected for use as the hinge.
e) Remove the hinge elbows and assemble the hinge.
f) Glue the female ends of the hinge elbows onto the free ends of the 4-7/8 L pipe, and square by pressing all four elbows against a flat work surface. (Click here for a photo.) Take care not to glue the hinge.
5) Assemble the base:
a) Glue the 3 pipe into the base of one of the tees.
b) Glue the male end of the slip union into other end.
c) Glue the 4 pipe into the tee.
d) Glue a 2-1/2 pipe into the tee.
e) The end result should look like this.
f) Glue the free end of the 2-1/2 pipe into the movable tee of the hinge, and square a scrap 4x4 and a flat work surface. (Click here for a photo.) Take care not to glue the hinge.
6) Assemble the riser:
a) Glue the 1-1/4 x 3/4 Slip Bushing one of the arms of the remaining tee.
b) Glue a 2-1/2 pipe into the other arm.
c) Glue the free end of the 2-1/2 pipe into the fixed tee of the hinge, and square a scrap 4x4 and a flat work surface. (Click here for a photo.)
d) Thread one end of the 1-1/4 L x 3/4 Galvanized Pipe Nipple into the bushing. Hand tighten!
e) Thread the 3/4 Threaded Gate Valve into other end of the nipple. Hand tighten!
f) Using one wrench one the bushing and another wrench on the gate valve, tighten the threads. Do not overtighten!
7) Assemble the adjuster:
a) Temporarily inset the cap onto the free end of the 4 pipe and the plug into the plug into the riser tee.
b) Align the eyes of the eyebolts using the square or straightedge.
c) Glue the plug in place and re-align.
d) Glue the cap in place and re-align.
e) Attach the turnbuckle using the clevis pins. Secure the clevis pins with the clip pins.
8) Attach the completed tilt-n-swivel head to the pad.
a) Cut the exposed portion of the 1-1/4 Schedule 40 PVC Pipe that forms the pads riser in half.
b) Attach the remaining portion of the slip union to the pads riser.
c) Optional Obtain another slip union and glue the appropriate end to the remaining portion of the pads riser. You can use this part instead of the tilt-n-swivel head at those times when you would prefer the original configuration.
Improvements:
Only time will tell if the 1-1/4 PVC Union is up to the task of being used as a swivel. If youre concerned about this, you could upgrade the swivel mechanism by using a 2 PVC Union and two 2 x 1-1/4 PVC Slip Bushings.