moonshot Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 When I first got into pyro I knew that rockets were the devices that I wanted to build. Being a novice newbie I didn't know the difference between kraft paper and toilet paper . After some web research I found that kraft paper was 1. strong and 2. brown. Well i knew just where to get strong, brown paper and that was from the local supermarket in the form of the largest paper bags that you could get and it was free! Here is the way I roll tubes for rocket motors from brown paper bag. You will need a pencil, a ruler, scissors and a large grocery bag. http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/dickwad_07/S3010682.jpgFirst cut the bottom out of the bag.http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/dickwad_07/S3010683.jpghttp://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/dickwad_07/S3010685.jpgMake sure the sides of the bag are folded in like this.http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/dickwad_07/S3010686.jpgLay the bag flat and mark the length of your tube plus 5/8" for trim at either edge and draw a line using the marks. In this example I am measuring 4 5/8" to get a 4" tube after trimming. I will get 3 tubes out of this bag. http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/dickwad_07/S3010688.jpgCut along the lines to make three pieces.http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/dickwad_07/S3010689.jpgThe pieces will have an overlapping seam that you need to cut out.http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/dickwad_07/S3010690.jpgAfter cutting out the seam you will have three long strips of paperhttp://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/dickwad_07/S3010691.jpgI want a 3/8" ID for these tubes so I use a piece of 3/8" OD brass round stock 5 1/2" long to roll them with but you can use wood dowel or PVC pipe or anything that has the diameter that you need. I also put 1 1/2 wraps of wax paper around my dowel and secure it with scotch tape to make it easier to remove from the fully rolled tube.http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/dickwad_07/S3010705.jpghttp://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/dickwad_07/S3010706.jpgNext find a table or counter top long enough to lay your paper strip out on and tape one end securely to it so you can pull on it while you roll the tube.http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/dickwad_07/S3010708.jpgDon't put glue on the first wrap. Just tuck the edge firmly under the dowel and then add glue to the strip.http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/dickwad_07/S3010711.jpghttp://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/dickwad_07/S3010712.jpgRoll the tube keeping some tension on the strip by pulling it toward you as you roll. Invariably the tube will start to spiral outward on one end but don't worry. When the spiral end gets 1/4" to 3/8" long just cut across the strip close to the tube straighten things up and finish rolling to the taped end of the strip then cut the strip just behind the tape.http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/dickwad_07/S3010713.jpgI let the tubes cure for a couple days and then trim them on a band saw but you can use a hobby saw or mitre box or whatever.http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/dickwad_07/S3010716.jpghttp://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/dickwad_07/S3010717.jpg I use a medium file to clean up the frayed ends after trimming to length. Here is a finished 4" long 3/8" ID tube for a rocket motor.http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/dickwad_07/S3010725.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gods knight Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 That was very interesting, I think ill try that, nice tutorial by the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonshot Posted August 8, 2007 Author Share Posted August 8, 2007 Thanks gods knight. You can use the paper bag tubes for rocket motors, wheel drivers, cake and fountain tubes or anywhere you need a sturdy tube.I get two different sized tubes from a single strip of paper. If you use a 3/8" rolling dowel you get a 3/8" ID tube with a 3/16" wall. Using a 1/2" dowel you get a 1/2" ID tube with a 1/8" wall, both of which are strong enough for rocket tubes. Currently I am rolling 5/8" ID tubes 5" long using one and a half strips of this paper and get a 1/8" wall. I have successfully fired a number of these larger motors with no failures so I know they are strong enough. Thanks for the reply! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willowmp Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 thank you sooooooooooooo much i was using lined paper with two layers of elec. tape lmao i deff gotta do this man i owe you one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gods knight Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 your welcome(moonshot) So far I have made 641 tubes with this method(planning for new years) Its allot less complicated than rolling out a sheet of kraft paper and folding it so you can cut it right then gluing it while worrying about it unrolling by itself. With your method, technically they are already folded,no worries about it unrolling and it is also quicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyboy25 Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 i use printer paper and a glue stick no problems so far Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frogy Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 Ya... I've been using a 3/8" or 3/4" wooden dowel with printer paper and elmers glue \ emlers glue 50:50 with water and all my tubes have stood up to rockets... But spinners and such each through the sidewalls when I drill a hole through them... nothing some sodium silicate won't fix... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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