Model Rocketry!
 

With my nephew turning 7 later this year, I'm going to introduce him to model rocketry. My brother and I both grew up launching (and losing!) many rockets over our years, so we're both familiar with the concepts and systems.

But with the purchase of my 3d printer, I've seen the possibilities are endless.

I designed, and built a collapsible launch pad, that not only looks cool, is very stable, and a later iteration of it will make it modular so you can add multiple launch rods to the same pad! http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:588121

Just found a cool rocket I'm going to be making too! http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:761156/#comments

And then to top it off, I found an open source rocket designer and simulator. This should be a lot of fun! http://openrocket.sourceforge.net/

And using an arduino based system, I'm building a custom launch controller. It will have a key locked power switch, a big safety covered arming switch, LED lit of course!. It will also have a digital countdown display, and pad selection. I love being a a kid again!

The other day I was at the hobby shop, getting parts for my boat, and I found an Estes rocket catalog. I remember drooling over that as a kid, it was my porn as a young kid. Turns out it still is!

(Ok that sounds bad, don't read too much into that!)

Awesome! Can you put a camera on it?

Probably, it would just require designing a tube section to carry one.

For fans of Kerbal Space Program, OpenRocket is VERY similar to the VAB, but less cartoony, more CAD. I'm really digging it!

I love model rocketry! Got my Civil Air Patrol Model Rocketry qualification last year and had a blast doing it. I still have a few of my rockets laying around but I have nowhere to lauch them. I earned my qual. on the parade field at Ft. Leonard Wood.

Would love to get into it again. :yeah:

I still miss that big "Patriot" rocket I got from Estes back in the late '70s. The thing had a nice heft to it and even lifted off in slow-motion. I'm still convinced that if I search that woodlot again for the umpteenth time I'll find it. :D

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkNP_l5JpQ...8_adjusted.jpg

Unfortunately, the woodlot is no more and so probably is the rocket. :-?

http://www.bonanza.com/listings/9922...n=product_feed
I suggest the introduction of cannon fuse and match heads because what is rocketry without explosions. The '70s Estes Catalog was wonderful for suggesting what not to do, one didn't have to come up with it oneself. :D

And for inspiration "Hello Kitty in Space" by Lauren Rojas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5REsCTG4-Gg

Fantastic hobby:
 

I remember the name Estes even from way back myself; who couldn't love a hobby you set fire to?! I expect half the excitement lay in wondering whether you'll ever see the thing again once it's blasted off. Great stuff, Gargamel...

Estes has been around for decades. Designed many rockets that I purchased, assembled, painted and launched never to be seen again. :haha: I had a lot of fun with rockets.

He didn't shoot his eye out.
 

My son dabbled in the hobby for a short time. I built his launch pad out of a block of wood and a coat hanger and I fixed up a long set of test leads for supplying ignition power to the motors from my car battery.
IT WAS FUN!
Alas, the launch site is now a Lowes parking lot.

Put yer Estes to the 'testes' BBY!
 

"Here 12-year-old Wernher von Braun, inspired by speed records established by Max Valier and Fritz von Opel in rocket-propelled cars,http://strangevehicles.greyfalcon.us/Pictures/Opel3.png caused a major disruption in a crowded street by detonating a toy wagon to which he had attached a number of fireworks. He was taken into custody by the local police until his father came to collect him." :har:TO THE MOON BBY! never mind the politics...at least we have collected all the true :subsim: locos in one thread:O: and ya kin never start too young as evidenced by the #1 Rocketmann of the 20th century himself. Myself included: we but wallow in his contrail. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...C_v._Braun.jpgwe're mit you kid! from dis? V-2 to dat! Saturn V>http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._U.S._Flag.jpg

Estes on your testes?!!!
 

Might get a tad warm.:huh:

Unless you're into barbecued kahunas.

People keep repeating that same mistake. "Cajónes" is the plural of "cajón", which can be a drawer or box, or a musical instrument shaped like the same.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caj%C3%B3n

The word you keep missing is "Cojones".

Fly me to the moon
 

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhujM7T1_fQ

Thread needed some music. :yeah: