JMan Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 Hi everybody. Its been a while since Ive been able to make rockets and, despite what this forum is all about, I was wondering what some of you guys do when you cant physically make rockets. Maybe youve never been in that kinda predicament but I bring it up because Im at university for 10 months of the year and I dont have the ability or time to make rockets while Im here. Maybe some of you have worked in an area where there no rocket clubs close by or your job/life just gets too hectic to keep up with the hobby. So what are some of the other fun rocket related things you guys do? Maybe pyro related or design/engineering related, something you can do in a dorm or hotel room. Maybe something on the computer like CFD design of your nozzles. For instance, I love watching space launches and keeping up with space news. Ive also made a calculus and aerodynamics based software to help me design rockets.
SharkWhisperer Posted January 28, 2020 Posted January 28, 2020 (edited) I'm guessing that you're a KNO3 sugar rocketeer. Why don't you blow off a few commercial Estes rockets to keep yourself somewhat in the loop? It's funny to me the huge dichotomy between pyros and model rocket enthusiasts. Pyros consider model rocketeers to be kinda lame boring old (or very young) folks that are highly risk-adverse. Model rocketeers have the NAR 10 commandments, er...code of behavior, that would make many pyros wince as being excessively anal. Model rocketeers tend to view pyros, especially amateur pyros, as borderline if not outright criminal cowboys of fire that are destined to lose limbs and burn down houses, hah ha. To me it's a hoot because I'm both. Rewarding to make your own model rocket engines in any power you see fit (a blatant violation of the NAR code, oh my! I'd be shunned from any organized NAR/Tripoli launch get-together) instead of paying what i consider outrageously inflated prices for anemic commercial D/E/F motors. Anyways, suggest you blast a few cheapo commercial (or homemade--the commercial kits are laughingly overpriced for a few lightweight cardboard tubes) model rockets on store-bought motors, just to wet your willy a bit. Until you can get back into the pyro sport and actually get creative with your motors!!! Maybe pound some nozzles into tubes so you're ready to go when you find yourself with a free afternoon--sorry, just can't fathom that your university activities are sooooo time-restrictive that you can't find a free afternoon/day at some point. I really hope you're not just a lonely fu*k posting here as a random social activity--sheesh if that's the case, please spare us and go study or watch some internet porn, ffs. Or you could just take up embroidery. You can do that in your dorm or hotel while watching space-polluting Elon Musk launch some more of his space clutter live on TV!!! Edited January 28, 2020 by SharkWhisperer
NeighborJ Posted January 29, 2020 Posted January 29, 2020 JMan may make sugar rockets but hes a hardcore aussie rebel at heart. Ain't no NAR down there. Ever think about building an electronic test stand? It still would be rocket related and a completely useful tool for when you do have time to use it.
dagabu Posted January 31, 2020 Posted January 31, 2020 JMan, you have an entire world at your fingertips, you can design nozzles, design and roll tubes for casings, nosecones, design and build rocket bodies, fins, paint and all! Make penny rockets with a 1/8" ID, 1-1/2" long with a wet comp and a sewing needle for making the core. Bind a blank book by hand and write out your plans, dreams, ideas for rockets etc.
JMan Posted February 2, 2020 Author Posted February 2, 2020 Id say Im a good mix between a pyro and a rocketeer. But I guess closer to a pyro because my uni rocket club is far too slow and restrictive for me. I am going through compressible aerodynamics right now and learning with my club how to make proper nozzle geometries. Guess I can stick with that and some CFD of rockets for now but I do miss a good Cato.
Arthur Posted February 2, 2020 Posted February 2, 2020 There is a lot of theory and maths in designing a rocket there is the aerodynamics of the flight structure and the design of the motor and fuel system to calculate, so do the prep work at uni and the physical work in the vacation, in a place with enough space.
Jimjimboom Posted April 6, 2020 Posted April 6, 2020 Hey guys i would probably be the guy that makes people see pyro's as " loose cannon's" waitting to blow themselves up! But anyway i have been playing around with some chemicals and trying to make my own rockets, i first gave it a crack when i was 15 but the internet was not around so much then and i never managed to get 1 to fly! Now there is so much info at our disposal, so i ordered some chems about 4 weeks ago and i have been kinda obsessed with getting some good solid rockets flying! I have had a few good launches but alot more cato! So i was building them solid with black powder and drilling a hole by hand but i have come to the conclusion that it doesnt create a reliable rocket that you can trust will fly! So i have made some tooling to build the rocket motors! And advice on fuel ratio's i have been using 75-15-10! And some fly some dont some go bang! I havnt built any with the tooling i made yet but i was wondering what the most reliable fuel is
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