4 replies to this topic

[truebeginner]

Recently I've been trying to make small 2cm/8cm black powder rockets, I rolled the cases out of thick paper and plug the bottom with 4grams of bentonite clay, I then pack the bp in many increments then plug with 1.5cm of clay. I drill with a 3mm drill bit and carry on about half way through the powder. The bp is grinded (separately) in a pestle and mortar so obviously grain size isn't ideal but I'm sure there must be a specific diameter that would work reasonably. My rockets have only ever gone a few metres high. Any advice plans or alternatives for getting a rocket in the air? Thanks in advance!

[Arthur Brown]

Do a lot of reading first. Lots of people have written here about making rockets, remember to learn from others mistakes. As your rockets get better your tubes will need to improve, -a good rocket contains a high pressure, but just less than the burst pressure of the tube.

[Crazy Cat]

Recently I've been trying to make small 2cm/8cm black powder rockets, I rolled the cases out of thick paper and plug the bottom with 4grams of bentonite clay, I then pack the bp in many increments then plug with 1.5cm of clay. I drill with a 3mm drill bit and carry on about half way through the powder. The bp is grinded (separately) in a pestle and mortar so obviously grain size isn't ideal but I'm sure there must be a specific diameter that would work reasonably. My rockets have only ever gone a few metres high. Any advice plans or alternatives for getting a rocket in the air? Thanks in advance!

Welcome to the Beginner's Guide to Rockets. http://exploration.g...ocket/bgmr.html
Model rockets. http://exploration.g...t/rktparts.html

RocketModeler II Version 2.1f. http://exploration.g...ket/rktsim.html
RocketThrust Simulator. http://exploration.g...cket/ienzl.html
AtmosModeler Simulator. http://exploration.g...ket/atmosi.html

[rocketpro]

Recently I've been trying to make small 2cm/8cm black powder rockets, I rolled the cases out of thick paper and plug the bottom with 4grams of bentonite clay, I then pack the bp in many increments then plug with 1.5cm of clay. I drill with a 3mm drill bit and carry on about half way through the powder. The bp is grinded (separately) in a pestle and mortar so obviously grain size isn't ideal but I'm sure there must be a specific diameter that would work reasonably. My rockets have only ever gone a few metres high. Any advice plans or alternatives for getting a rocket in the air? Thanks in advance!

 

There are many variables that have to come together to make a functional and more importantly reliable rocket motor.  This would be a good starting place for a beginner....

 

http://www.skylighte...rockets.asp#new

[phildunford]

If you are not getting enough thrust the variables to experiment with are:

 

Less charcoal

More KNO3

Better incorporation

longer cavity

 

But only change one at a time and make careful notes of what you do so you can reproduce it.