I am 58 and have been into model rockets for about 50 years. I can't afford the high power stuff, but have found ways to enjoy the hobby using size D and smaller engines. I design and build my own rockets, and use multiple engines and multiple stages to reach high altitudes with these small engines. I built my own launch pad and controller, actually I have build quite a few. My current launch pad is made out of a solid steel chair base with 4 legs. It has a tube at the end of each leg, where casters used to go. Those can be used to drive 10" nails through into the ground for really big rockets. I use a drill chuck to hold the launch rod, it can handle up to a 1/4" rod, and rockets over 4 feet tall. I use electrical zip cord from the controller to the launch pad, and have a clamp on the launch pad to hold it so the igniter clips do not accidentally get pulled loose. The actual controller is made out of a commercial metal electrical disconnect box with a lid. I use 4 rechargeable "D" batteries mounted inside the box. All of this has a very professional look and feel, unlike the cheap plastic stuff you buy to get started with, and for me adds a lot to the enjoyment of the hobby. One word of caution. DO NOT use toilet paper or tissue paper for recovery wadding. It is flammable and will not only damage your parachute (I use nylon parachutes, I gave up on the flimsy plastic ones decades ago) but can also start a fire on the ground. I use loose fiberglass insulation, which is fireproof, cheap, and works fine. One of the biggest issues you have to deal with when flying model rockets is finding a suitable launch site. I have flown rockets which reached over 3000 feet, and it is easy to lose them, or have them come down in a tree or on a power line. I paint all my rockets a combination of gloss white and fluorescent orange to aid in tracking them in flight and finding them on the ground. I have used radio transmitters to aid in locating rockets, and have also played with rocket mounted video cameras.
Agree with your comment about finding a large launch area...... I have just gotton into this and my first launch went bad........ Rocket lost..... It went high, real high and into a cloud.... It started to assend and i got an eye on it slowly coming down, parachute deployed, then a cross wind came and it floated away over roof tops...... I wasnt prepared to go door knocking, hoping it landed in a backyard........ Cut my losses and MIA was called
HPR isn't as expensive as one might think, within reason of course, it can get into the hundreds of thousands $😮, but I just built a Class-2 rocket (finished it last night lol) for about $75, but you'll need to learn quite a bit about making your own APCP fuel and motors to do so, the commercial motors are way too expensive for the average model rocketeer. Granted, you'll need to buy a lot of stuff that adds up to more than $75, but once you pass that hurdle it's pretty cheap to make your own motors. I can make a J270-W for about $35, including graphite fiberglass casing, the nozzle, bulkhead, ejection charge and fuel. You can build your own APCP motors that are under Class-1 restrictions too, as long as your propellant weight is under 125 grams and your rocket weighs less than 1500 grams there are no flight restrictions.
75 year old grandfather starting out for the first time. I hope this goes as well as the RUclips video describes. At least the video was very easy to follow. I will let you know more, once I see the look on my grandsons 7 year old face. We built one last summer that was way less sophisticated. He really enjoyed his efforts and immediately wanted to build a bigger rocket.
I keep a wooden dowel in my launch kit and use it to gently pack the recovery wadding down closer to the engine. This keeps the initial blast of hot gases further away from the recovery system. This also keeps your parachute from getting crammed too tight in the wadding. You want the parachute loose and powdered with talc. powder to open easier. Use a fishing snap swivel to tie the parachute lines to the nose cone. This keeps the parachute lines from spinning and twisting up. Just a tip I learned after launching a while.
I just 3D printed a simple rocket with no parachutes or anything like that, i am planning on 3D printing a launchpad to go along with it. i didn't try to make it complicated because it's my first rocket and I will be taking notes on how it will go. Wish me luck!
excellent starter vid - thanks. Answered many of my questions. My requirements are slightly different from model rockets as a hobby. I intend to experiment with motors for very short range (20m max) instant thrust while pulling a net for bird trapping (survey). I will have three 3D printed motor housings with a tether on each to a section of netting. Fired simultaneously, they need to go up at a 45 degree angle before snatching at the tether and falling back, draping the net gently over the birds below. I will be using C6s as the first experiments to see what is required to pull 20m of bird netting in an arc. Will go from there. It may not even be viable but we'll see
It’s also recommended to also wrap an extra piece or 2 of wadding onto the actual parachute. This decreases a chance of your parachute from melting or scorching
Thank, good video. My daughter and I are starting our first rocket build today. She's very excited. Also, very off-topic, what model Breitling are you wearing?
Nice Breitling Chronomat 41. I have a 2007 Breitling superOcean A17360 blue dial on a blue nylon NATO strap. Much lighter and does not draw attention to the watch like the bracelet. The Metalizer looks to be the same rocket as my NSA Starship sold by Estes from 2004-2008. I wonder how many model rocketeers own Breitlings, or how many Breitling owners are model rocketeers. Well done on the presentation in the video. Cheers!
Nice video. I had the rocket Estes Alpha for a long time and just uploaded a video building it to my channel. I used Gorilla glue, not sure if it was the right glue but it worked. Hope to fly it soon, bad weather here now.
Good question. Providing you're just flying something small on a low power motor (any of the Estes motors) then you're fine. Just make sure you're not close to any airfields! :)
sambobsambob the Estes rockets also come with a handy little leaflet with information regarding how much space you need for which size of rocket and other important safety info.
Ho I'm paul from Lincolnshire um I used to do model Rocketry in 1999 into 2002 with the Estes rocket RTF it was very basic back then but seems a lot more advanced now I'm watching your videos and thinking about taking up the hobby again thanks to your videos and where was ddk launch video???
I found some single use model rockets with their own in built launch rods and tubes, activated with a lighter, not batteries. They go really high and make a big bang and pretty colours.
@@CardZed true. I bought a kit last week, built it pretty handily (messed up the engine buffer and screwed with the CG) and it's first flight had it heading into the wind so hard it went horizontal. It looked like a frigging SAM. now that it's first flights are done I want to mess with it a whole bunch and see what I can do with it. Tinkering is half of the fun. What you can do to get ideas on how aerodynamics, Center of Gravity, Thrust to Weight Ratios, and staging works is playing Kerbal Space program and other like games. Simulators help reduce errors on launch day.
I am 58 and have been into model rockets for about 50 years. I can't afford the high power stuff, but have found ways to enjoy the hobby using size D and smaller engines. I design and build my own rockets, and use multiple engines and multiple stages to reach high altitudes with these small engines. I built my own launch pad and controller, actually I have build quite a few. My current launch pad is made out of a solid steel chair base with 4 legs. It has a tube at the end of each leg, where casters used to go. Those can be used to drive 10" nails through into the ground for really big rockets. I use a drill chuck to hold the launch rod, it can handle up to a 1/4" rod, and rockets over 4 feet tall. I use electrical zip cord from the controller to the launch pad, and have a clamp on the launch pad to hold it so the igniter clips do not accidentally get pulled loose. The actual controller is made out of a commercial metal electrical disconnect box with a lid. I use 4 rechargeable "D" batteries mounted inside the box. All of this has a very professional look and feel, unlike the cheap plastic stuff you buy to get started with, and for me adds a lot to the enjoyment of the hobby.
One word of caution. DO NOT use toilet paper or tissue paper for recovery wadding. It is flammable and will not only damage your parachute (I use nylon parachutes, I gave up on the flimsy plastic ones decades ago) but can also start a fire on the ground. I use loose fiberglass insulation, which is fireproof, cheap, and works fine. One of the biggest issues you have to deal with when flying model rockets is finding a suitable launch site. I have flown rockets which reached over 3000 feet, and it is easy to lose them, or have them come down in a tree or on a power line. I paint all my rockets a combination of gloss white and fluorescent orange to aid in tracking them in flight and finding them on the ground. I have used radio transmitters to aid in locating rockets, and have also played with rocket mounted video cameras.
Agree with your comment about finding a large launch area...... I have just gotton into this and my first launch went bad........ Rocket lost..... It went high, real high and into a cloud.... It started to assend and i got an eye on it slowly coming down, parachute deployed, then a cross wind came and it floated away over roof tops...... I wasnt prepared to go door knocking, hoping it landed in a backyard........ Cut my losses and MIA was called
Noice
help me i also interested to build my own rocket
HPR isn't as expensive as one might think, within reason of course, it can get into the hundreds of thousands $😮, but I just built a Class-2 rocket (finished it last night lol) for about $75, but you'll need to learn quite a bit about making your own APCP fuel and motors to do so, the commercial motors are way too expensive for the average model rocketeer. Granted, you'll need to buy a lot of stuff that adds up to more than $75, but once you pass that hurdle it's pretty cheap to make your own motors. I can make a J270-W for about $35, including graphite fiberglass casing, the nozzle, bulkhead, ejection charge and fuel. You can build your own APCP motors that are under Class-1 restrictions too, as long as your propellant weight is under 125 grams and your rocket weighs less than 1500 grams there are no flight restrictions.
Please guide on how to build rockets for beginners
75 year old grandfather starting out for the first time. I hope this goes as well as the RUclips video describes. At least the video was very easy to follow. I will let you know more, once I see the look on my grandsons 7 year old face. We built one last summer that was way less sophisticated. He really enjoyed his efforts and immediately wanted to build a bigger rocket.
@Thekobgamer in the us it’s easy but I’m here in Saudi Arabia so much regulation
hope it's going well for you :)
How’s it going? Did your grandson enjoy it?
I keep a wooden dowel in my launch kit and use it to gently pack the recovery wadding down closer to the engine. This keeps the initial blast of hot gases further away from the recovery system. This also keeps your parachute from getting crammed too tight in the wadding. You want the parachute loose and powdered with talc. powder to open easier. Use a fishing snap swivel to tie the parachute lines to the nose cone. This keeps the parachute lines from spinning and twisting up. Just a tip I learned after launching a while.
Thanks for the input :)
Great video! This is the perfect guide for those getting into the model rocketry hobby. Keep up the good work!
Thanks! Glad you like it.
I just 3D printed a simple rocket with no parachutes or anything like that, i am planning on 3D printing a launchpad to go along with it. i didn't try to make it complicated because it's my first rocket and I will be taking notes on how it will go. Wish me luck!
I am doing the same thing! Have a good time making your rockets.
excellent starter vid - thanks. Answered many of my questions. My requirements are slightly different from model rockets as a hobby. I intend to experiment with motors for very short range (20m max) instant thrust while pulling a net for bird trapping (survey). I will have three 3D printed motor housings with a tether on each to a section of netting. Fired simultaneously, they need to go up at a 45 degree angle before snatching at the tether and falling back, draping the net gently over the birds below. I will be using C6s as the first experiments to see what is required to pull 20m of bird netting in an arc. Will go from there. It may not even be viable but we'll see
Fascinating! I'm intrigued & will start getting into this fun hobby with my son!
On my second flight of my first rocket I flew it on top of a building with a B engine
It’s also recommended to also wrap an extra piece or 2 of wadding onto the actual parachute. This decreases a chance of your parachute from melting or scorching
Shame that on my fist launch despite being in a massive park my rocket got caught in a tree and we couldnt get it down
That sucks
great introductory video: have you done an intro video on how to build them (the kits) as well??
Launching my new rocket this week!!! This helps a lot thanks! 👍👍
Charl South Africa THANK YOU FOR This video was Great my very 1rst video on model rocktry
"that does look like cheap toilet paper" :D made my day...
Nicely made, very clear video - thank you
Thank, good video. My daughter and I are starting our first rocket build today. She's very excited. Also, very off-topic, what model Breitling are you wearing?
A Breitling Chronomat 41, $4000-$6000, more for gold.
Your channel name alone got me to subscribe.
I’m worried that the CG will be off and the rocket will misfire and launch away from the projectory.
Nice Breitling Chronomat 41. I have a 2007 Breitling superOcean A17360 blue dial on a blue nylon NATO strap. Much lighter and does not draw attention to the watch like the bracelet.
The Metalizer looks to be the same rocket as my NSA Starship sold by Estes from 2004-2008.
I wonder how many model rocketeers own Breitlings, or how many Breitling owners are model rocketeers.
Well done on the presentation in the video.
Cheers!
Thankyou man. Im now starting off that was inspiring
Great video! Do you have a link to the launch controller video you referenced, I can't seem to find it? Thanks!
Nice video. I had the rocket Estes Alpha for a long time and just uploaded a video building it to my channel. I used Gorilla glue, not sure if it was the right glue but it worked. Hope to fly it soon, bad weather here now.
nice video! helped me tons
You're welcome :)
Could I also use a fuse wire if needs be for this type of rocket?
can you just go to a local field and launch it from there or do you need permission or anything?
Good question. Providing you're just flying something small on a low power motor (any of the Estes motors) then you're fine. Just make sure you're not close to any airfields! :)
sambobsambob the Estes rockets also come with a handy little leaflet with information regarding how much space you need for which size of rocket and other important safety info.
@@flintloxgaming tell that to the lawyers m8
Nice watch
I will launch my first rocket 2 days I can't wait
After 2 years are, are you still into it?
In the U.K. where can you launch from? Are there any laws around not launching in parks?
I’m the 100,000 viewer!!🎉🎉🎊🎊
Hey, are these legal in the UK? If so, what are the laws on where they can be used? Are they banned in any regions?
my first moldel rocket is a riptide it still flys nice!
Great vid I got my friend David into rocketry and I showed him this video now he is begging me to get him the Metalizer
Thanks! It's a great ship!
Very helpful video
Thanks!
Awwwwww she a cutey rocket
I’m starting out. Good vid 👍
I used paper towel for wading and it worked fine.
Ho I'm paul from Lincolnshire um I used to do model Rocketry in 1999 into 2002 with the Estes rocket RTF it was very basic back then but seems a lot more advanced now I'm watching your videos and thinking about taking up the hobby again thanks to your videos
and where was ddk launch video???
in your opinion is this a good rocket? im thinking about buying one
How much do you think all this will cost?
Our new Facebook group for everyone interested in model rockets:
facebook.com/groups/729854047779242
I found some single use model rockets with their own in built launch rods and tubes, activated with a lighter, not batteries. They go really high and make a big bang and pretty colours.
On my modell rocket the stock elastic band kept tearing appart untill i used a thicker quard
you made the randomizer rocket made by the king of random right ?
can you attach some sort of camera device to the rockets?
My first rocket was the mean machine
How high did that go!?
you should get the madcow 8" Fiberglass DX3
Thank you awesome
Where is the video where you built the launch controller? I don't see it on your channel.
Do U Build This Stuff Or Do You Buy It And Where From?
hiwhat is your igniter at 4:15 ?
do you need to buy wadding or can you use paper towel
Wadding is best, but u can try it.
Use toilet paper. It’s literally the same thing and both equally as flammable.
I started with paper rocket witch is the next thing I can start with
Can someone tell me how much will this whole kit cost?
I am 12 and I'm planning to buy this with my pocket money
Where’s the video on your homemade launch controller ?
how you build the nose cone
How do u put a camera in a rocket ?
Couldn't u just use fuse wire to launch the rocket
Why would anybody dislike this video?
Flat earther
How does the top fall out for the parachute?
FutureEngineer There's a charge to push it out
What about a camera
what paint did you use and where can i get it?
This particular rocket comes pre painted
Luke Finlayson no paint
bonjour je voudrais savoir ou tu as achetais cette mini fusée avec tout ce qu il y à ?
I retired my metalizer after the bottom starter melting
Get a new one, and keep the retired one for display.
Oh shit, if I attached this to a weather balloon and put a Lego man on it, could I orbit a Lego man around earth? Is that even legal?
And the US
Why am I watching this it's midnight
We're both English so where can I fly one
england
What if u r not in the UK
I am in Canada
Whats the fun of buying a rocket and pressing a bitton for it to fly. The fun lies into build your own
Ik this is old, but your damn right.
@@CardZed true. I bought a kit last week, built it pretty handily (messed up the engine buffer and screwed with the CG) and it's first flight had it heading into the wind so hard it went horizontal. It looked like a frigging SAM. now that it's first flights are done I want to mess with it a whole bunch and see what I can do with it. Tinkering is half of the fun. What you can do to get ideas on how aerodynamics, Center of Gravity, Thrust to Weight Ratios, and staging works is playing Kerbal Space program and other like games. Simulators help reduce errors on launch day.
@@AecherJace SR2 is amazing too, SFS, KSP and Simple planes are the best.
is this patched yet
Is it ok to use actual cheap toilet paper instead of that covering stuff?
can 11year olds do that with the help of their parents
Of course, even without the parents, if you know how to do it and you have responsibility i think it will work out!
@@KingLordLele thank you
Make full rocket video in episode and earn in millions on youtube from youtube to you . ☺