Pack 165
Paper
Stomp
Rocket
Plans
Materials List
1 – 10’ Section of ½” PVC
1 – ½” 4 way fitting
2 - ½” End caps
1 – ½” Female IPT to slip fitting
1 – ½” Male IPT to slip fitting
1 – ½” 45 deg Elbow
1 – ½” 90 deg Elbow Male IPT to Slip
Additional Supplies
Needed
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PVC cement
White glue
Cotton balls (Large Bag)
Scotch Tape (For the paper rocket assembly)
Duct Tape (For attaching the 2 liter bottles to the
launcher)
• Sheets of 8 1/2" by 11" paper
• Lots of copies of the attached
rocket template
• Lots of empty 2 liter soda bottles
Step 1 - Cut the PVC
From the 10-foot Long Piece cut the following
pieces:
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1 – 38” Piece
2 – 18” Pieces
2 – 5” Pieces
3 – 12” Pieces
Step 2 – Build and Assemble
the Launcher
In step 2 you will glue together all the cut PVC and
fittings
38” Piece
2-12” Pieces
End caps
Female IPT
(Allows you to
switch out 90deg or
45deg launching)
4-way fitting
5” Piece
Step 2 Continued- 45 and 90
deg Optional launching ends
45 deg end
45 deg Elbow
18” Piece
Male IPT Fitting
5” Piece
90 deg Elbow with Male IPT
90 deg end
Step 3 - Make the Rocket
Forming Tubes
The remaining 12-inch piece of PVC will be used to make a
rocket forming tube. This will help you make perfect rockets
every time. It's nice to have a few on hand so more than one
person can be working on a rocket at the same time.
You want the forming tubes to be
slightly bigger than the tube that
the rockets get launched from. This
is accomplished by gluing a sheet
of 8 1/2" by 11" paper around each
forming tube. I used white glue and
glued each sheet directly to the
tube, and then to itself after rolling
it on tight.
A piece of tape (I used electrical
tape) was wrapped around one
end of each paper-covered tube. I
wrapped around three times. This
is to aid in the construction of the
rocket, as detailed in the next step
Step 4 Make the Rockets
Print out and make plenty of copies of the attached rocket template.
There are basic building instructions on the rocket template. Decorate
and cut out areas as directed.
Roll the rocket body section onto forming tube, with the bottom of
rocket (where the fin placement lines are located) just above the tape
at the end of the forming tube. This creates a slight taper on the rocket
and allows it to slip over the end of the launcher easier.
Tape the body tube together, but NOT to the forming tube. Fold the fins
and tape them in place on the fin placement lines. Place two cotton
balls into the open area at the top of the paper tube, pinch and fold
over slightly and cover with a couple of pieces of tape. Remove rocket
from forming tube.
Step 5 Launching the Rockets
Before you launch your rockets, be sure to explain some safety rules to
everyone involved so nobody gets shot in the eye.
Attach the 2-liter soda bottle by slipping the mouth of the bottle over
the end of the launcher assembly. I usually slide the bottle over the
tube about 2 inches. Wrap around the mouth and the PVC a couple of
times with Duct tape to make a good seal. When the bottles eventually
break just tear off the tape and attach a new bottle.
After each launch, you will have to refill the bottle with air. I tell the kids
to hold the top of the launch tube with their hand and blow through
their hand to fill up the bottle. This way germ-passing is somewhat
minimized.
I made these plans from some ideas found on the web and tweaked
them to make them work better for our Pack. Our Pack has four sets
and with the option to do 90 or 45 deg launch we have a lot of fun with
them. Feel free to modify these plans how ever you see fit, enjoy!