DIY ROCKET LAUNCHER. PVC Tee (no hole) PVC Tee (with hole) 3 x 45* PVC elbow. 1 x cork. 3 x PVC endcap. 1 x bike tube valve.

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1 PVC Tee (no hole) PVC Tee (with hole) DIY ROCKET LAUNCHER 3 x PVC endcap 1 x cork 3 x 45* PVC elbow 1 x bike tube valve 5 x pipe 2 x 2 PVC pipe 2 vinyl tubing (5/16 ) Soda bottle (not pictured)

2 How It Works We are going to build a simple water bottle rocket launcher. The launcher consists of a PVC stand, a tube with a valve to connect the launcher to a bike pump, and a cork which fits inside a soda bottle. When the bottle fills with air, the pressure will push it off the cork and it will launch into the air! Building the Rocket Launcher There are a lot of ways to build this type of project! This version uses a simple PVC tripod to hold the rocket. The core of the launcher is a drilled out cork attached to a bike tube valve and a length of vinyl tubing. This is what we ll use to pump air into the bottle When the pressure builds up it will force the cork out of the bottle. If there is water in the bottle the air will push against the water and launch the bottle into the sky like a rocket. 45 elbow 2 PVC PVC tee Materials All PVC is 1/2 diameter 2 PVC 5 x Schedule 40 2 x 2 PVC Schedule 40 1 x PVC Tee (with hole) 1 x PVC Tee (no hole) 3 x 45* PVC elbow 3 x PVC endcaps 1x cork 1x bike tube valve 2 vinyl tubing (5/16 outer diameter) Soda bottle Cardboard for wings 2 45 elbow

3 PVC tee (with hole) 45 elbow SAFETY FIRST: Always wear safety goggles! This project involves pressurizing and launching things. Wear goggles to protect your eyes. Do not use plastic water bottles. Water bottles are not designed to withstand pressure and will explode with too much air. For pressurized experiments, only use soda or seltzer bottles. 3

4 STEP 1: Assemble the frame We re going to build a simple PVC frame to hold our rocket in place. Attach 2 lengths of to opposite ends of the pre-drilled PVC Tee Attach non-drilled Tee and 2 2 PVC lengths to the other end of one of the lengths Attach 3 45 degree joints to the 2 and ends Attach the remaining 3 lengths to the 45 degree joints. Put endcaps on the ends. STEP 2: Attach the pumping mechanism The pump consists of a cork with a hole in it, a bike valve, a vinyl tube, and a bike pump (not included). Here s how it all comes together! Press the bike valve into the end of the vinyl tube. It should fit snugly. Type of valve doesn t matter; you can use either Scharder or Presta. Slide the vinyl tube through the hole and press the other end into the cork. This connection should also be pretty tight! If you need to seal it, wrap it with electrical tape. 4

5 STEP 3: Admire your handiwork Congratulations, you ve built the launcher! Time to attach the water bottle STEP 4: Attach the bottle! Fill your bottle with water no more than 1/3 of the way. This will provide something for the air to push against and will launch your bottle in the air! Flip the whole assembly upside down and press the lip of the bottle into the cork. It should fit snugly.final assembly should look something like this! 5

6 STEP 5: Go for launch! Grab your bike pump and test it out! Grown-up supervision is required for launching. Make sure you have your safety goggles on before you start. REMEMBER TO WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES! Keep your goggles over your eyes whenever the bottle is pressurized. They will protect you in case the bottle explodes (not likely, but possible). You should ONLY be using soda or seltzer bottles that are rated for pressure. Remember, too, that the pressurized bottle can pop off at any time. DO NOT put your face directly over the bottle when it is pressurized. It can fly off and hit you in the face 6 wikipedia Always keep a safe distance when you are launching anything in the air.

7 WHAT TYPE OF VALVE SHOULD I USE? Your kit comes with either a Presta or Schrader valve. Either works for this project. If you have trouble getting your valve to fit snugly, grab a roll of electrical tape and wrap it to make a tight seal. Schrader valves are common on wider rimmed bikes. This valve consists of a stem inside a threaded core. Presta valves are commonly used on road bikes. They are longer and slimmer and have an outer valve stem and a lock nut. Loosen the nut to let air flow through the valve. Most bike pumps will come with connectors for either of these valves. If you have a hard time getting a tight connection, use electrical tape to seal it tight! 7

8 Parts and Crafts is a community-supported family makerspace and community workshop based in Somerville, MA. In our programs we encourage kids to play, think, make, and learn through the exploration of the arts, science, computer programming, and engineering a cluster of disciplines we refer to as the creative application of technical skills. We run school-vacation camps, a full-time school-alternative program, and afterschool and weekend classes and workshops, open-shop hours and other community and family events. We also develop projects and project ideas, and try to get them out into the world. By buying a rocket kit you are not only building something awesome, you're helping us show more kids how they can make, take-apart, and modify the world around them. Thank you! partsandcrafts.org CERN Open Hardware License 1.2 Assembly instructions and usage available at