Easy Dual Bottle Rocket Launcher
Its almost the last of summer warmth, so I took the opportunity to put together a Bottle Rocket Launcher For the kids. I am putting this Instructable together after using the launcher for a couple of hours earlier today. If you need any more detail on how to put together dont hesitate to ask. The kids had a great time playing and the adults were impressed too.
The 4 way splitter is available for $5 hence my willingness to use it. If the splitter is not available economically near you and you really want to keep the cost down, you could just use one launch tube and screw the male thread hose adaptor into it. and you have a single launcher.
You could also use a PVC T-Piece and some elbows instead, but unless you fire at the same time, the bottle released second will not go as far.
The 4 way splitter is available for $5 hence my willingness to use it. If the splitter is not available economically near you and you really want to keep the cost down, you could just use one launch tube and screw the male thread hose adaptor into it. and you have a single launcher.
You could also use a PVC T-Piece and some elbows instead, but unless you fire at the same time, the bottle released second will not go as far.
Parts Required
I was going to make from pvc pipe and glue it all together, but when I went to get the parts at 'Bunnings Warehouse' I saw this 4-way tap splitter i had anther idea.
You will need:
1 x 4 way tap splitter
2 x 20mm thread to 3/4" pipe fitting
16 x cable ties
2 Lengths of 3/4" pvc pipe 250mm long
2 Lengths of larger pvc pipe 50mm long ( size depends on the cable ties, 1.5" worked for me )
1 x male threaded hose adaptor ( these are commonly used on hose trigger guns )
Glue ( Loctite 406 or CA based glue )
2 x 2L drink bottles
You will need:
1 x 4 way tap splitter
2 x 20mm thread to 3/4" pipe fitting
16 x cable ties
2 Lengths of 3/4" pvc pipe 250mm long
2 Lengths of larger pvc pipe 50mm long ( size depends on the cable ties, 1.5" worked for me )
1 x male threaded hose adaptor ( these are commonly used on hose trigger guns )
Glue ( Loctite 406 or CA based glue )
2 x 2L drink bottles
Make the Launch Tube
Take the first 20mm female thread to 3/4 Pipe adaptor and one of the 250mm lengths of Pipe. Put a ring of glue right round the end of the pipe and slide into the fitting all the way until it hits the stopper at the end. Repeat this for the second one.
After the glue has set, slide on your bottle all the way up to the fitting.
Lay the first cut to length cable tie on the adaptor so the clamp part of the tie sits over the protrusion on the neck of the bottle.
Glue in place with a few dobs of glue. Repeat 3 more times so there is 4 clamps positioned equally around the bottle neck.
Repeat to make your second launch tube.
( optional )
Glue on pieced of cable tie or other plastic to take up the slack between the fitting and the large diameter pipe.
After the glue has set, slide on your bottle all the way up to the fitting.
Lay the first cut to length cable tie on the adaptor so the clamp part of the tie sits over the protrusion on the neck of the bottle.
Glue in place with a few dobs of glue. Repeat 3 more times so there is 4 clamps positioned equally around the bottle neck.
Repeat to make your second launch tube.
( optional )
Glue on pieced of cable tie or other plastic to take up the slack between the fitting and the large diameter pipe.
Making the Release Collar
This is where you need to start assembling your launcher.
Remove the 2 end hose adaptors off the 4 way splitter and take the rubber gaskets ut of them.
Fit these gaskets to the launch tubes you made, then screw them on to the 4 way splitter.
Check the length of your large diameter tubes ( release collars ). They can be shorter than I made them, but if they are too long, they will not allow the bottle to come off.
When the length is right, take the bottle back off and fit the release collars, pushing them all the way down to the splitter. Put the bottles on and engage the release collar by pushing them toward the bottles.
When engaged you should not be able to pull the bottle off. When you pull the collar back to the splitter, you should be able to easily remove the bottle.
Remove the 2 end hose adaptors off the 4 way splitter and take the rubber gaskets ut of them.
Fit these gaskets to the launch tubes you made, then screw them on to the 4 way splitter.
Check the length of your large diameter tubes ( release collars ). They can be shorter than I made them, but if they are too long, they will not allow the bottle to come off.
When the length is right, take the bottle back off and fit the release collars, pushing them all the way down to the splitter. Put the bottles on and engage the release collar by pushing them toward the bottles.
When engaged you should not be able to pull the bottle off. When you pull the collar back to the splitter, you should be able to easily remove the bottle.
Final Assembly - Usage Instructions
Screw the Male 20mm thread to hose fitting adaptor into th.e input side of the 4 way splitter and tighten with a spanner and you are done and ready for use.
Fit attach to the end of your hose and turn the water on. If all the taps are closed, open one tap to remove any air from the hose, then close again.
Fit both bottles and engage the release collars.
Turn on both end taps to start filling the bottles. Depending on the water pressure in your area, the 2 litres of air which was in the bottle will compress down to around half a litre or so before no more water seems to go in to the bottles.
Turn both taps off then hold the assembly up and pull down the relese collars. If everything is going well the bottles will shoot off and land about 30m away.
YES YOU WILL GET WET! Kids love playing with water, thats part of the fun.
Fit attach to the end of your hose and turn the water on. If all the taps are closed, open one tap to remove any air from the hose, then close again.
Fit both bottles and engage the release collars.
Turn on both end taps to start filling the bottles. Depending on the water pressure in your area, the 2 litres of air which was in the bottle will compress down to around half a litre or so before no more water seems to go in to the bottles.
Turn both taps off then hold the assembly up and pull down the relese collars. If everything is going well the bottles will shoot off and land about 30m away.
YES YOU WILL GET WET! Kids love playing with water, thats part of the fun.
Additions
Obviously there will be some water leaking between the bottle and the pvc, but it shuld be minimal. If you add some Petroleum Jelly you may be able to further reduce the leaks. A seal at the end of the Thread to Pipe adaptor may help too, but i dont think it is worth bothering with.
To get the most height, point straight up. To get the best distance, launch at 45 degrees.
To get a little extra distance, swing the assembly in the launch direction while firing ( it can make a big difference )
I liked the idea of using the this system, as i have a couple of spare hose fittings with valves for future improvements. For example:
I plan to use one for supplying compressed air to the system to get more distance.
One could be used to connect a bottle of food colouring for a colourful display.
2 Remote launch stations could be added.
If you have oher thoughts Fill them in below.
My brother-inlaw took some photos of me firing, ill post them when he sends them through.
To get the most height, point straight up. To get the best distance, launch at 45 degrees.
To get a little extra distance, swing the assembly in the launch direction while firing ( it can make a big difference )
I liked the idea of using the this system, as i have a couple of spare hose fittings with valves for future improvements. For example:
I plan to use one for supplying compressed air to the system to get more distance.
One could be used to connect a bottle of food colouring for a colourful display.
2 Remote launch stations could be added.
If you have oher thoughts Fill them in below.
My brother-inlaw took some photos of me firing, ill post them when he sends them through.