Using Estes rockets and a 9V battery, I'm going to make a handheld launcher with a laser sight. This is a project I had a while ago, but I abandoned it due to safety concerns. When testing it the first time, it hang-fired, almost blasting me in the face. With better safety precautions in mind, I think this can be a fun project. When fired directly upwards at a 90 degree angle, it is even using the rockets in a manner consistent with their labeling. That being said, do this at your own risk, I take no responsibility for the use/misuse of this information. Always remember: SAFETY FIRST
Components
1×
9V
Wire and Cable / Cable
1×
Spray paint easy trigger
1×
Momentary switch
1×
Aluminum Sierra cup
Blast shield
1×
Tactical Laser
I used a cheap one from a broken Airsoft gun
I went out with the family and tested the rocket pistol. Everything worked as planned.
I used an old Estes rocket that I had that was really small. The other one I built wasn't balanced properly and spun around end over end as soon as it launched. I let the seven year old run the camera on that launch, so the video doesn't show anything but the ground, lol.
Where should I go from here? I would like a light indicating continuity; basically an "armed" indicator.
I bought a different spray can handle and refitted it with the hardware. The epoxy is drying on it now:
I also need to make a cheap rocket because most of the Estes rockets are too big to properly fit on the guide rod.
I have a design going with an old plastic cigar tube that should be fine. It has an "A" sized motor, the smallest you can get (for safety). If all goes well, I should be doing a test launch next weekend!!!
Going through some of my old junk, I ran across this broken project from days long passed. After seeing the "Bazooka" make HaD's front page, I decided to repair this project of mine and make it better. It has a laser sight just for the irony of a rocket pistol being the stupidest thing to have precision aiming that I can think of. I'm thinking of adding a safety, and maybe an LED to indicate if it is armed, although I'm not sure how exactly to implement that last feature. Stay tuned for further developments and to see the test firing once I am satisfied with the device
Man oh man, How many Estes rockets I had back in the 60's. Those were fun times as a kid. I wish I had thought of the pistol back then :-) But I would more than likely hurt myself....
Man oh man, How many Estes rockets I had back in the 60's. Those were fun times as a kid. I wish I had thought of the pistol back then :-) But I would more than likely hurt myself....