bare bones sugar rocket

I feel like making some rockets. Some simple-as-possible rockets. Some

1-pound sugar/karo syrup/potassium nitrate dissolved in water and cooked on an electric skillet then stuffed in a PVC pipe section rockets - I think that's about 1 inch inside by 1 foot long.

So. How much does a nozzle improve the rocket performance - is it worthwhile to start with?

Is there an effective dead-simple parachute system, or is it easier to let your PVC tube crash somewhere empty? I was thinking of a small parachute attached to the top by thread at its edges and just draped over the top of the capped PVC pipe.

What are good sources for slow fuse or an about as simple and at least as safe alternate ignition system (that aren't online, I know about skylighter and firefox)?

If you're dissolving the KNO3 in water, is technical grade worth it over fertilizer? Are there things to look for (or probably avoid) in the fertilizer?

ps I don't have the nerve for this kind of experimentation, but if I remember my chemistry correctly Calcium Nitrate would give better performance than KNO3, and I think it's about as cheap and available as KNO3 fertilizer. Is there a reason it isn't used?

Reply to
BDH
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Your bare-bones sugar rocket is a paper casing hand rammed with dry mixed powdered sugar, KNO3, sulfur and iron oxide catalyst with a nozzle of Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty. But I don't recommend it.

But really, do it right or don't do it at all.

A nozzle is essential for this kind of propellant.

Calcium nitrate isn't used because it absorbs water and makes the whole mess fizzle.

Start at rec.pyrotechnics and spend a few years first learning how to make really simple and cheap rockets without blowing off body parts or torching the neighborhood. Seriously. There are cheap, easy, and quick ways to make crude rockets but it takes a lot of study to know how to do it safely. It's not just knowing what to do--it's also knowing what NOT to do, and WHY.

"I wanna drive a race car at 200mph but I don't want to spend more than one afternoon learning how..." That's what your question sounds like to experienced rocket hobbyists.

+McG+

BDH wrote:

Reply to
kmcgrmr

Did you read the post? It's sugar/dextrose/KNO3 recrystallized, no sulfur or catalyst, in PVC pipe. So now I have to take the rest of your response with a grain of salt.

KNO3 is also hydroscopic. So, you remove the water and seal your propellant. DUH.

Wow, you're pretty pretentious. I have a welding mask, and I have gloves, and I'd work outdoors.

"I want to feel good about what I've done with rockets, and so I denigrate newcomers." That's what your response sounds like to me.

Reply to
BDH

BDH,

Don't take McG's post with a grain of salt... Tale it to heart.

KNO3 and sorbitol is a very energetic material. In the right hands, it makes an excellent propellant. In the wrong hands, it can take a hand, an eye, or a life. It can propel a rocket into the sky, or it can burn a home to the ground.

Don't take this activity lightly. Study and learn, before mixing and igniting any kind of propellant. You can seriously hurt yourself, or worse, someone else.

James L. Marino SAS, LUNAR, TCC, AEROPAC, NAR #75764 L3 TRA #9489 L3 JPS Propulsion KI6BZS

(@ @)

---o00-(_)-00o--- Will Work for AP

Reply to
James L. Marino

That should read "_Take_ it to heart."

J

Reply to
James L. Marino

Compared to what? My hot cup of tea? Diborane/OF2 ? D/Li6? Antiprotons? Cosmic rays? Tralfamadorian reactors?

Nice spiel. So you're worried about some yahoo injuring himself and making things harder for you?

Reply to
BDH

Let me rephrase that. I don't like condescension.

Reply to
BDH

...and later...

Nice spiel yourself! Based on your FIRST question, James and kmcgrmr have every reason to suspect that you're inexperienced and naive, and might indeed hurt yourself.

Oh, and good luck manufacturing propellant with that welder's mask on.

Reply to
Perry Cox

To bad. You've earned it with your responses and demonstrated level of knowledge. Now be a good little boy and do your homework before you come here asking for advise on how to burn down your parents house.

Phil

Reply to
Phil Stein

Well, that's not necessary - it was already clear that I should try somewhere else instead. In fact, I can't think of a reason for a person to come here. I sure hope you're better with rockets than insults or spelling. Hell, you haven't demonstrated such an impressive level of knowledge on usenet yourself.

Reply to
BDH

Dude, it's rec.MODEL.rockets.

You want KN03/sugar there's TONS of of sites dedicated to just that. Nakka and Jimmy Yawn's site just to name a few. You found rmr easy enough, now put google to use and find the sugpro list.

Ted Novak TRA#5512 IEAS#75

Reply to
the notorious t-e-d

I'm pretty new here, but damm you're a prick BDH.. You sure as hell did sound like you were trying to cut corners in your inital post.. if you didn't want to take anyone elses advice, why the f**k did you even post a question?? Even when someone did try to answer your question, you shot them down like they didn't know what they were talking about.. btw you ignorant d**k head, a nozzle is pretty much the most important part of a rocket engine.. even the most basic of black powder motors have a nozzle, because they improve the combustion in the motor.. go be a prick to someone elses group that will try to help you and then throw your a$$ out on the street because you have your own mindset about things.. you're not looking for advice, you're looking for someone else to agree with the way you're doing it.. that's not going to happen anywhere in this hobby.. go blow the hell out of yourself doing it "your way".. I'm sure that the people here won't lose any sleep over it..

Reply to
cgiucf

I really only have three rules for rocketry or fireworks:

  1. Try not to blow yourself up.
  2. Make damn sure you don't blow up the neighbors.
  3. Don't get caught.

All taken in the broad, figurative, even poetic sense as well as literally.

his way to failing at rule #1, and maybe #2 also. And rule #3 will come into play when the ambulance comes to haul him off to the burn ward.

But it's a common thing among newbies to the pyrotechnic hobbies. Somehow they think energetic materials are only energetic when they want them to be, in the way they want them to be. The fact he couldn't see that I was accurately--not condescendingly--rephrasing his attitude does not bode well for his future amateur rocket efforts.

Seen it too many times.

But I'd really like to see him try to make a sugar motor with calcium nitrate. LOL! If he thinks KNO3 is hygroscopic...

+McG+

James L. Mar> BDH,

Reply to
kmcgrmr

Hey, Big Dick Head...

Did your parents have any kids that lived?

At least tell us where you're at so we can watch for the news reports...

"Area man taken into custody at burn unit after blowing self up and burning down half his neighborhood." Film at eleven...

You, sir, are a stupid, stupid person. Please go away, and never darken rmr with your presence again.

James

Reply to
James L. Marino

Congratulations! You've won!!!

Rod Roddy.. Tell him what he's won!

"It's an all expenses paid trip to the kill file! And that's not all! You've also won an entry into the competition for our grand prize! If you're picked, you'll be named 'King of the Darwin Awards' for 2006!!!"

Congratulations!

Now... Go away.

J

Reply to
James L. Marino

Sorry - I didn't realize this was a spelling bee - I though the purpose was to communicate which I think I have done sucessfully.

BTW - I only spell check once in a while and that's to reward my bitch Steve.

Phil

Reply to
Phil Stein

Poor Phil.

Reply to
Gus

Steve,

The Grand Dragon wanted to know if you've gotten professional help yet. He says you are a disgrace to the master race.

Poor Steve.

Phil

Reply to
Phil Stein

Got all the help I need.

Keep looking over your shoulder.

Poor Phil

Reply to
Gus

Ugghh. Big words make my brain hurt.

Reply to
Tweak

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