El Cheapo Rocket Stand

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By Mike Goss

Intro:
A cheap rocket stand.

As I have built more and more rockets I have started to have a problem with how to store them. The ones like the Big Bertha have fins that they stand on, but many rockets do not have those big swept fins, and end up laying on thier side, which is bad for the fins. So I have started to make the El-Cheapo Rocket stands for the fleet.

Component Description:
To Build the El-Cheapo, you will need:

• A spent 18mm Motor casing
• A spent 13mm motor casing or a suitable length of 1/2" dowell
• A scrap piece of lumber (1x4 works good along with 3/4" plywood)
• 1/2" drill bit and drill.
• Glue
• Paint (optional)

Most of us have plenty of the above materials, and if you are short on wood, Home Depot usually has a bin back by their cut-to-size saws that has discounted pieces of lumber at reduced prices.

First start by making the base. I have found that 4" square is a good size for most of your 18mm motor model rockets, for larger rockets, you can make them bigger. Next drill a 1/2" hole in the center of the wooden base about 3/4 of the way through the wood. Now you can fit the dowell or 13mm motor in that hole and slide the 18mm motor on the dowell. Glue the whole assembly together using whatever glue that you have. I also fill the top of the 18mm Motor with glue so that the crud stays inside. Then, if you like, you can paint it.

You can make this as fancy as you like by adding nameplates, or staining a nice piece of wood for the base, but I prefer the use what you have approach and make them as cheaply as possible. You can also make this for 24mm motors by using a 24mm motor and a 18mm motor in place of the 18mm and 13mm motors.

GUEST's OPINION:
"" (X.X.)

1. General
   Make a motor stand from 2 by 4 scrap, 8 to 12 inches long. Layout with a pencil on one inch centers and drill 1/2 inch for mini's, 3/4 for A thru C motors. It makes a great stand for installing igniters and for field use. You can also store the spent motors after your flights. For D size use a one inch drill but leave 1 to 1 1/4 space on center. Use flat bottom drill bits and let the kids paint them. - G. (NY)
2. General
   Here's how to make an inexpensive but attractive display stand for your rocket: Buy a solid wood plaque (they are available for less than $2 each in the craft materials section of your local Wal-Mart) and glue a short length of dowel or a spent engine to the center of it with Elmer's wood glue. You can apply a finish to the plaque if you want, or just leave it as-is. - J.S.
3. General
   Featured Tip: Tinker Toys® Stands and Helpers - We all know how hard or cumbersome it can be trying to control a rocket while building, painting, storing, and displaying. Being disabled I found this even harder, but I found a way to solve it and came up with some tools... more