Hi John, by far one of the nicest launchers I've seen. Elegant design with nice safety features. Currently prototyping a gardena launcher for a class but would love to build this one. Wondering if you have a parts list/ or build tutorial? I can tease it out from the video but thought it worth asking. thanks, Jeff
No, sorry. For projects like this I typically visualize my plan as I stand in the hardware store fitting parts together. An important part of the design is having the air fill above the water reservoir. This essentially acts as a ‘non return valve’. This is the square section of pipes below the fill neck. I used two vertical tubes because I figured one would not be of great enough volume for larger rockets. It is this width simply to accommodate the tee and elbow sizes. This Instructables link displays how to melt and squeeze the PVC pipe to create the bottle seal as well as how to build the IAN-Clark cable tie release: www.instructables.com/water-rocket-launcher/ I noticed after repairing sprinkler heads that the spring inside a Hunter PGP ¾” sprinkler rotor head would fit the launcher perfectly and not require I enlarge one purchased from the hardware store. It is a very strong spring. This is especially important with young children as they are not quite so gentle on the launch cord :) Thanks.
This is great! I really want to make one of these, could you possibly put together a parts list?? Can you tell me where you got the spring for the release, also??
Hi John, Where did you get the spring for the collar mechanism? Been looking in my local hardware stores and the closest I’ve been able to find are the springs that are used in the toilet paper dispenser roles which are far too narrow for a 1/2” launch tube.
This uses a compression spring from a hardware store. I needed to enlarge the diameter along its entire length to widen and extend. However, after a recent sprinkler head disassembly/replacement, I see that the spring internal to the Hunter PGP Rotor Sprinkler Head is PERFECT. Additionally, it will offer a little more resistance for children who are too rambunctious on their launch... :) You can purchase these at Home Depot or Amazon. I think they are about $13 at Home Depot. This is a little expensive, but should last years on the launcher. View the image at 0:40: ua-cam.com/video/_PepIotervU/v-deo.html Or this picture: hw.menardc.com/main/items/media/HUNTE002/ProductLarge/prospray_checkvalve_dsc_0158_path.jpg P.S. A toilet paper dispenser spring would be FAR too weak.
I am sorry, I cannot 'afford' to make a tutorial. That would subtract from future projects, such as... scuba tank pressure launch manifold? Video to be released sometime soon. If you pause the video and look at the launcher, you should be able to create a parts list. I usually stand in the hardware store 'dry fitting' parts.The spring was the largest compression spring the store had, which I then 'opened' up around and around. However, an underground sprinkler spring would work even better.
I have seen elsewhere that they use the middle section of a 2 litter bottle as the spring. Just cut two holes directly across from each other. Then put it where the spring is.
- The air fill above the water reservoir acts as a ‘non-return’. When you release pressure at the fill station, no water discharges. - We use tent stakes to hold the launcher.
- The hose clamps under the 'fender' washers on the release are dual daisy chained (sort of yin yang style with each end connected to the other screw ) to evenly balance the washer. - I couldn't find a good large diameter compression spring so I hand distorted one. I have just repaired underground sprinklers and think the retract spring would work perfectly. This stronger spring would also help with children who pull too hard on the release.
Sorry all, I don't have plans or a parts list. I usually visualize the assembly then stand in the hardware store dry fitting various parts. The only problem then is remembering how they all fit when I get home :) Parts of this design that are not so obvious or visible: - We used the melting, pressing, creating a flare method of sealing the launch tube rather than O-rings.
This is, by far, the best launch pad + water refill station ever!
That's great John! Very thorough plan and design!
Coolest water rocket fill/launch station I've seen.
Thank you. I also have a scuba tank charge station I need to share. No more hand pump or extension cord/compressor to deal with.
Hi John, by far one of the nicest launchers I've seen. Elegant design with nice safety features. Currently prototyping a gardena launcher for a class but would love to build this one. Wondering if you have a parts list/ or build tutorial? I can tease it out from the video but thought it worth asking. thanks, Jeff
No, sorry. For projects like this I typically visualize my plan as I stand in the hardware store fitting parts together. An important part of the design is having the air fill above the water reservoir. This essentially acts as a ‘non return valve’. This is the square section of pipes below the fill neck. I used two vertical tubes because I figured one would not be of great enough volume for larger rockets. It is this width simply to accommodate the tee and elbow sizes. This Instructables link displays how to melt and squeeze the PVC pipe to create the bottle seal as well as how to build the IAN-Clark cable tie release: www.instructables.com/water-rocket-launcher/ I noticed after repairing sprinkler heads that the spring inside a Hunter PGP ¾” sprinkler rotor head would fit the launcher perfectly and not require I enlarge one purchased from the hardware store. It is a very strong spring. This is especially important with young children as they are not quite so gentle on the launch cord :) Thanks.
Excellent design!
This is awesome.
fantastic!!!
esto esta geniaaaallll. directo, al punto, explicas sin tanta charla ¡buen trabajo!
Thank you, after Google translate :)
This is great! I really want to make one of these, could you possibly put together a parts list?? Can you tell me where you got the spring for the release, also??
Awesome
Awesome video congrats Kid, Your really smart , keep going!
That is 'the kid' narrating, I make things like these for scouting.
awsome
How do I get a parts list and plans? I need to build this for our next pack meeting. Awesome!!
very cool
Nice Job! Do you have a parts list? I too want to build for our next water rocket rodeo! Thank You!
can you do a tutoral on this
Hi John,
Where did you get the spring for the collar mechanism? Been looking in my local hardware stores and the closest I’ve been able to find are the springs that are used in the toilet paper dispenser roles which are far too narrow for a 1/2” launch tube.
This uses a compression spring from a hardware store. I needed to enlarge the diameter along its entire length to widen and extend. However, after a recent sprinkler head disassembly/replacement, I see that the spring internal to the Hunter PGP Rotor Sprinkler Head is PERFECT. Additionally, it will offer a little more resistance for children who are too rambunctious on their launch...
:)
You can purchase these at Home Depot or Amazon. I think they are about $13 at Home Depot. This is a little expensive, but should last years on the launcher.
View the image at 0:40: ua-cam.com/video/_PepIotervU/v-deo.html
Or this picture: hw.menardc.com/main/items/media/HUNTE002/ProductLarge/prospray_checkvalve_dsc_0158_path.jpg
P.S. A toilet paper dispenser spring would be FAR too weak.
sorry, just read the comments section, apparently a frequent request! we'll figure it out.
Smart
Make a tutorial of the water bottle launcher
I am sorry, I cannot 'afford' to make a tutorial. That would subtract from future projects, such as... scuba tank pressure launch manifold? Video to be released sometime soon.
If you pause the video and look at the launcher, you should be able to create a parts list. I usually stand in the hardware store 'dry fitting' parts.The spring was the largest compression spring the store had, which I then 'opened' up around and around. However, an underground sprinkler spring would work even better.
I have seen elsewhere that they use the middle section of a 2 litter bottle as the spring. Just cut two holes directly across from each other. Then put it where the spring is.
Yes, I have seen that, but I think it is too sloppy and 'requires' something designed better.
thermo- nuclear engineer astrophysicist ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
+Fabian Lozano :) Thank you.
- The air fill above the water reservoir acts as a ‘non-return’. When you release pressure at the fill station, no water discharges.
- We use tent stakes to hold the launcher.
- The hose clamps under the 'fender' washers on the release are dual daisy chained (sort of yin yang style with each end connected to the other screw ) to evenly balance the washer.
- I couldn't find a good large diameter compression spring so I hand distorted one. I have just repaired underground sprinklers and think the retract spring would work perfectly. This stronger spring would also help with children who pull too hard on the release.
Sorry all, I don't have plans or a parts list. I usually visualize the assembly then stand in the hardware store dry fitting various parts. The only problem then is remembering how they all fit when I get home :)
Parts of this design that are not so obvious or visible:
- We used the melting, pressing, creating a flare method of sealing the launch tube rather than O-rings.