7 replies to this topic

[pjalchemist]

I've made my rocket motor and just about to do the header. Im confused to what length stick i will need or the weight it needs to be. Is there a way to work it out?

[Arthur Brown]

With things that fly, if it looks right it may well fly right! For a simple stick, try balancing the head and stick, it should balance just behind the nozzle. Then fine tune it.

[starseeker]

I've made my rocket motor and just about to do the header. Im confused to what length stick i will need or the weight it needs to be. Is there a way to work it out?

It would help if you told us what size motor it is.

[Vic]

A good rule of thumb is to follow Steve Ladukes dimensions though primarily for high power whistle rockets but I would say you could apply it to BP rockets as well; I do and from my experience they work well. Forget about the balance point behind the motor or you will end up with a stick that's far to heavy; Use square section cedar if you can its nice and light. The temptation sometimes is to use dowel I find it is too prone to whipping about. Also, try to be as accurate as you can with the the stick-motor alignment.

I would apply this to rockets with headers as well.

½” ID 20”x1/4”
¾” ID 32”x5/16”
1” ID 38”x3/8”
1¼” ID 60”x1/2”

[dr thrust]

high power rockets don't need a heavier stick, as they fly straighter with the extra thrust,ie they set off real fast!!, "they'll leave the launch tube like a stabbed rat" .
a lazy bp motor with a payload may be another matter, slower rockets will need a heavier stick to keep and guide a straighter flight,

[rocketpro]

I've made my rocket motor and just about to do the header. Im confused to what length stick i will need or the weight it needs to be. Is there a way to work it out?

As Arthur said, balance just behind the nozzle. There`s really no need to complicate things.

[dr thrust]

vic may be on the right tracks.. as weight isn't everything, a dowel doesn't create drag as a square section would, so in theory a thicker stick not necessarily long or heavey will create more drag...

[starseeker]

These are the sizes which i use as per Rich Wolter.

Two Oz, 18inch x 3/16,payload, 1/2 oz.
Four oz,24 inch x 1/4,payload 1 oz.
1 lb,36 inch x 3/8,payload,4 to six oz.