How To Make A Rocket Launching Blast Pad

for this project I’m going to show you

for this project I’m going to show you how to build a custom rocket launching

how to build a custom rocket launching

how to build a custom rocket launching blast pad you’ll find these don’t cost

blast pad you’ll find these don’t cost

blast pad you’ll find these don’t cost much to make but they’re still

much to make but they’re still

much to make but they’re still impressively durable portable and will

impressively durable portable and will

impressively durable portable and will launch a rocket any angle you point it

let’s start this project with some

let’s start this project with some common sprinkler parts these are 3/4

common sprinkler parts these are 3/4

common sprinkler parts these are 3/4 inch PVC fittings and you should be able

inch PVC fittings and you should be able

inch PVC fittings and you should be able to find them all at your nearest

to find them all at your nearest

to find them all at your nearest hardware store will also need a quarter

hardware store will also need a quarter

hardware store will also need a quarter inch by one and a half inch fender

inch by one and a half inch fender

inch by one and a half inch fender washer and some quarter inch by one and

washer and some quarter inch by one and

washer and some quarter inch by one and a half inch hex head lag screws in

a half inch hex head lag screws in

a half inch hex head lag screws in reality you’ll only need one but it’s

reality you’ll only need one but it’s

reality you’ll only need one but it’s good to have a couple spares on hand

good to have a couple spares on hand

good to have a couple spares on hand just in case you want them now the body

just in case you want them now the body

just in case you want them now the body of our launchpad is made with 3/4 inch

of our launchpad is made with 3/4 inch

of our launchpad is made with 3/4 inch PVC tubing and you’ll need four pieces

PVC tubing and you’ll need four pieces

PVC tubing and you’ll need four pieces that are 12 inches long these other 15

that are 12 inches long these other 15

that are 12 inches long these other 15 pieces are exactly 2 inches each and I

pieces are exactly 2 inches each and I

pieces are exactly 2 inches each and I cut mine from the leftover tubing so

cut mine from the leftover tubing so

cut mine from the leftover tubing so that didn’t cost anything extra 2 inch

that didn’t cost anything extra 2 inch

that didn’t cost anything extra 2 inch tubes work really well for prototyping

tubes work really well for prototyping

tubes work really well for prototyping because as you can see they’ll join any

because as you can see they’ll join any

because as you can see they’ll join any three-quarter inch fittings together in

three-quarter inch fittings together in

three-quarter inch fittings together in an instant okay let’s go ahead and dry

an instant okay let’s go ahead and dry

an instant okay let’s go ahead and dry fit all the pieces together just to

fit all the pieces together just to

fit all the pieces together just to double-check we have all the pieces we

double-check we have all the pieces we

double-check we have all the pieces we need at all the right measurements when

need at all the right measurements when

need at all the right measurements when everything is assembled the body of your

everything is assembled the body of your

everything is assembled the body of your launchpad should look something like

launchpad should look something like

launchpad should look something like this

this

this gluing any pieces together is completely

gluing any pieces together is completely

gluing any pieces together is completely optional and in all honesty you don’t

optional and in all honesty you don’t

optional and in all honesty you don’t really need to but just because we can

really need to but just because we can

really need to but just because we can I’m going to use a little PVC glue to

I’m going to use a little PVC glue to

I’m going to use a little PVC glue to make a few parts on mine a little more

make a few parts on mine a little more

make a few parts on mine a little more permanent I chose to glue the launchpad

permanent I chose to glue the launchpad

permanent I chose to glue the launchpad together in five separate segments like

together in five separate segments like

together in five separate segments like you see here because this way it’ll

you see here because this way it’ll

you see here because this way it’ll easily come apart so we can store it

easily come apart so we can store it

easily come apart so we can store it later when it’s not being used now

later when it’s not being used now

later when it’s not being used now before we apply any glue it’s really

before we apply any glue it’s really

before we apply any glue it’s really important to make sure all the

important to make sure all the

important to make sure all the components are flat and aligned properly

components are flat and aligned properly

components are flat and aligned properly the easiest way to do that is by

the easiest way to do that is by

the easiest way to do that is by pressing them down on the table when

pressing them down on the table when

pressing them down on the table when you’re confident you can keep them

you’re confident you can keep them

you’re confident you can keep them straight go ahead and glue the

straight go ahead and glue the

straight go ahead and glue the components together in the usual way by

components together in the usual way by

components together in the usual way by following the directions on your can of

following the directions on your can of

following the directions on your can of PVC glue and it’s a really good idea to

PVC glue and it’s a really good idea to

PVC glue and it’s a really good idea to have some kind of paper or drop cloth

have some kind of paper or drop cloth

have some kind of paper or drop cloth covering your table because this

covering your table because this

covering your table because this chemical glue is nasty stuff and can eat

chemical glue is nasty stuff and can eat

chemical glue is nasty stuff and can eat the finish right off your work surface

the finish right off your work surface

the finish right off your work surface within seconds give the connections

within seconds give the connections

within seconds give the connections about five minutes to cure then go ahead

about five minutes to cure then go ahead

about five minutes to cure then go ahead and fit the five segments back together

and fit the five segments back together

and fit the five segments back together to see how they look hopefully you got

to see how they look hopefully you got

to see how they look hopefully you got it right on the first try because at

it right on the first try because at

it right on the first try because at this point there’s no going back now

this point there’s no going back now

this point there’s no going back now check out what we can do at the top push

check out what we can do at the top push

check out what we can do at the top push the head forward then pull it all the

the head forward then pull it all the

the head forward then pull it all the way back and swivel it around 360

way back and swivel it around 360

way back and swivel it around 360 degrees

degrees

degrees if it does that then congratulations

if it does that then congratulations

if it does that then congratulations your swivel head is working and you’re

your swivel head is working and you’re

your swivel head is working and you’re ready for a blast pad I went to a local

ready for a blast pad I went to a local

ready for a blast pad I went to a local thrift store and picked up a variety of

thrift store and picked up a variety of

thrift store and picked up a variety of different pot lids and serving plates

different pot lids and serving plates

different pot lids and serving plates for around 50 cents each so I’m

for around 50 cents each so I’m

for around 50 cents each so I’m confident you can find something similar

confident you can find something similar

confident you can find something similar for

for

for a dollar or less pot lids are an awesome

a dollar or less pot lids are an awesome

a dollar or less pot lids are an awesome choice because when the handles remove

choice because when the handles remove

choice because when the handles remove you can see there’s already a hole

you can see there’s already a hole

you can see there’s already a hole drilled exactly in the center but for

drilled exactly in the center but for

drilled exactly in the center but for mine I’m going with this serving tray

mine I’m going with this serving tray

mine I’m going with this serving tray instead because I like the contour and

instead because I like the contour and

instead because I like the contour and look of it better especially when it’s

look of it better especially when it’s

look of it better especially when it’s flipped upside down now the blast pad

flipped upside down now the blast pad

flipped upside down now the blast pad needs a hole drilled in the center of

needs a hole drilled in the center of

needs a hole drilled in the center of the plate so eyeball it as best you can

the plate so eyeball it as best you can

the plate so eyeball it as best you can then drill a hole 3/16 of an inch wide

then drill a hole 3/16 of an inch wide

then drill a hole 3/16 of an inch wide we need to drill the same kind of hole

we need to drill the same kind of hole

we need to drill the same kind of hole through the top of the PVC cross as well

through the top of the PVC cross as well

through the top of the PVC cross as well right in the center because this is

right in the center because this is

right in the center because this is where the blast pad is going to get

where the blast pad is going to get

where the blast pad is going to get connected and before going any further

connected and before going any further

connected and before going any further let’s just make sure this plate is

let’s just make sure this plate is

let’s just make sure this plate is actually going to work by setting the

actually going to work by setting the

actually going to work by setting the blast pad in position and securing it to

blast pad in position and securing it to

blast pad in position and securing it to the PVC assembly with one of the lag

the PVC assembly with one of the lag

the PVC assembly with one of the lag screws the threads of the screw should

screws the threads of the screw should

screws the threads of the screw should bite tightly into the PVC sucking the

bite tightly into the PVC sucking the

bite tightly into the PVC sucking the plate down against the plastic cross

plate down against the plastic cross

plate down against the plastic cross snugly enough that won’t move but if for

snugly enough that won’t move but if for

snugly enough that won’t move but if for some reason you end up stripping the

some reason you end up stripping the

some reason you end up stripping the screw holes or just want it even more

screw holes or just want it even more

screw holes or just want it even more secure you can still add another screw

secure you can still add another screw

secure you can still add another screw on either side by securing them into the

on either side by securing them into the

on either side by securing them into the cross beam below now that we know the

cross beam below now that we know the

cross beam below now that we know the lid fits it’s a really good idea to add

lid fits it’s a really good idea to add

lid fits it’s a really good idea to add a 1 and a half inch fender washer to the

a 1 and a half inch fender washer to the

a 1 and a half inch fender washer to the center of the blast pad because it’s

center of the blast pad because it’s

center of the blast pad because it’s made of steel and will help dissipate

made of steel and will help dissipate

made of steel and will help dissipate the heat most pot lids are made of

the heat most pot lids are made of

the heat most pot lids are made of aluminum and there’s a chance the blast

aluminum and there’s a chance the blast

aluminum and there’s a chance the blast more rocket motor will burn a hole right

more rocket motor will burn a hole right

more rocket motor will burn a hole right through it but a fender washer on the

through it but a fender washer on the

through it but a fender washer on the top will block the heat and solve the

top will block the heat and solve the

top will block the heat and solve the problem before it starts with the screw

problem before it starts with the screw

problem before it starts with the screw and washer in place mark a dot one and a

and washer in place mark a dot one and a

and washer in place mark a dot one and a half inches from the center and in line

half inches from the center and in line

half inches from the center and in line with one of the arms of the PVC cross

with one of the arms of the PVC cross

with one of the arms of the PVC cross underneath this hole will be for the

underneath this hole will be for the

underneath this hole will be for the launch rod and before you drill it take

launch rod and before you drill it take

launch rod and before you drill it take a good look at it from the side to make

a good look at it from the side to make

a good look at it from the side to make sure everything is in line and centered

sure everything is in line and centered

sure everything is in line and centered you’ll need to go all the way through

you’ll need to go all the way through

you’ll need to go all the way through the top and just a tiny bit into the

the top and just a tiny bit into the

the top and just a tiny bit into the bottom but be very careful you don’t go

bottom but be very careful you don’t go

bottom but be very careful you don’t go all the way through if you did it right

all the way through if you did it right

all the way through if you did it right you’ll be able to push a stick or a rod

you’ll be able to push a stick or a rod

you’ll be able to push a stick or a rod through the hole and position it into

through the hole and position it into

through the hole and position it into the groove at the bottom effectively

the groove at the bottom effectively

the groove at the bottom effectively locking in place the rod I’m using is a

locking in place the rod I’m using is a

locking in place the rod I’m using is a 3/16 inch by four foot steel rod found

3/16 inch by four foot steel rod found

3/16 inch by four foot steel rod found in the hardware aisle of the hardware

in the hardware aisle of the hardware

in the hardware aisle of the hardware store as well alright the time has come

store as well alright the time has come

store as well alright the time has come to customize our launch pad with a paint

to customize our launch pad with a paint

to customize our launch pad with a paint job and for that I’m using black and

job and for that I’m using black and

job and for that I’m using black and yellow paint to match the randomizer

yellow paint to match the randomizer

yellow paint to match the randomizer rocket that I’ll show you how to build

rocket that I’ll show you how to build

rocket that I’ll show you how to build in another project video three coats of

in another project video three coats of

in another project video three coats of paint and 24 hours later the launch pad

paint and 24 hours later the launch pad

paint and 24 hours later the launch pad is looking pretty awesome and at this

is looking pretty awesome and at this

is looking pretty awesome and at this point our blast pad is completely

point our blast pad is completely

point our blast pad is completely finished and ready for use setting up is

finished and ready for use setting up is

finished and ready for use setting up is as simple as inserting the guide rod and

as simple as inserting the guide rod and

as simple as inserting the guide rod and dropping a rocket into position here you

dropping a rocket into position here you

dropping a rocket into position here you can see the nozzle the rocket lines up

can see the nozzle the rocket lines up

can see the nozzle the rocket lines up perfectly with the fender washer and if

perfectly with the fender washer and if

perfectly with the fender washer and if that ever gets damaged for some reason

that ever gets damaged for some reason

that ever gets damaged for some reason it’s super cheap and easy to replace

it’s super cheap and easy to replace

it’s super cheap and easy to replace alright to test it out I took my system

alright to test it out I took my system

alright to test it out I took my system to a launch site and dropped one of my

to a launch site and dropped one of my

to a launch site and dropped one of my randomizer rockets into position

randomizer rockets into position

randomizer rockets into position you can see with this design the rocket

you can see with this design the rocket

you can see with this design the rocket easily cycles through a multitude of

easily cycles through a multitude of

easily cycles through a multitude of different angles and can rotate a full

different angles and can rotate a full

different angles and can rotate a full 360 degrees as well that’s awesome the

360 degrees as well that’s awesome the

360 degrees as well that’s awesome the rail will even drop down to a flight

rail will even drop down to a flight

rail will even drop down to a flight angle of zero degrees and I’m not sure

angle of zero degrees and I’m not sure

angle of zero degrees and I’m not sure why you’d ever need to use that feature

why you’d ever need to use that feature

why you’d ever need to use that feature but I’m just saying you could I loaded

but I’m just saying you could I loaded

but I’m just saying you could I loaded my rocket with an SD z96 black-powder

my rocket with an SD z96 black-powder

my rocket with an SD z96 black-powder rocket motor which you can see screws in

rocket motor which you can see screws in

rocket motor which you can see screws in at the bottom and even blasting off with

at the bottom and even blasting off with

at the bottom and even blasting off with that much power you’ll notice the lodge

that much power you’ll notice the lodge

that much power you’ll notice the lodge pad didn’t even flinch

pad didn’t even flinch

pad didn’t even flinch your new launch pad should be durable

your new launch pad should be durable

your new launch pad should be durable enough to last indefinitely withstand a

enough to last indefinitely withstand a

enough to last indefinitely withstand a lifetime of rocket launches and when

lifetime of rocket launches and when

lifetime of rocket launches and when you’re not out launching rockets it’ll

you’re not out launching rockets it’ll

you’re not out launching rockets it’ll come apart in seconds for easy storage

come apart in seconds for easy storage

come apart in seconds for easy storage or transportation well now you know how

or transportation well now you know how

or transportation well now you know how to transform thrift shop pot lids and

to transform thrift shop pot lids and

to transform thrift shop pot lids and PVC sprinkler parts into a custom rocket

PVC sprinkler parts into a custom rocket

PVC sprinkler parts into a custom rocket launching blast pad that doesn’t cost

launching blast pad that doesn’t cost

launching blast pad that doesn’t cost much to build but I’ll still be just as

much to build but I’ll still be just as

much to build but I’ll still be just as durable and effective as anything you

durable and effective as anything you

durable and effective as anything you buy it twice the price by the way it’ll

buy it twice the price by the way it’ll

buy it twice the price by the way it’ll also be a nice complement to your

also be a nice complement to your

also be a nice complement to your homemade randomizer rocket so if you

homemade randomizer rocket so if you

homemade randomizer rocket so if you want to make one of those look for the

want to make one of those look for the

want to make one of those look for the project video on how I built mine well

project video on how I built mine well

project video on how I built mine well that’s it for now if you liked this

that’s it for now if you liked this

that’s it for now if you liked this project perhaps you’ll like some my

project perhaps you’ll like some my

project perhaps you’ll like some my others check them out at the king of

others check them out at the king of

others check them out at the king of random comm hey guys this project was

random comm hey guys this project was

random comm hey guys this project was part of a design collaboration I did

part of a design collaboration I did

part of a design collaboration I did with my friends at Sonic dad calm please

with my friends at Sonic dad calm please

with my friends at Sonic dad calm please check them out and subscribe to their

check them out and subscribe to their

check them out and subscribe to their YouTube channel if you remember the

YouTube channel if you remember the

YouTube channel if you remember the collaboration we did last year with the

collaboration we did last year with the

collaboration we did last year with the assassins micro crossbow then you’ll

assassins micro crossbow then you’ll

assassins micro crossbow then you’ll understand why I chose Richie from the

understand why I chose Richie from the

understand why I chose Richie from the sonic dad team as my partner for

sonic dad team as my partner for

sonic dad team as my partner for building a rocket he’s a creative genius

building a rocket he’s a creative genius

building a rocket he’s a creative genius in all respects and has an amazing mind

in all respects and has an amazing mind

in all respects and has an amazing mind for thinking outside the box together

for thinking outside the box together

for thinking outside the box together Richie and I designed a really cool

Richie and I designed a really cool

Richie and I designed a really cool launch pad the randomizer rocket and a

launch pad the randomizer rocket and a

launch pad the randomizer rocket and a recovery parachute that all work

recovery parachute that all work

recovery parachute that all work impressively well we’ve done around 50

impressively well we’ve done around 50

impressively well we’ve done around 50 launches so far and he’s already got

launches so far and he’s already got

launches so far and he’s already got detailed videos and instructions on how

detailed videos and instructions on how

detailed videos and instructions on how to make them at Sonic dad comm I highly

to make them at Sonic dad comm I highly

to make them at Sonic dad comm I highly recommend you support and subscribe to

recommend you support and subscribe to

recommend you support and subscribe to Sonic dad because they’re one of the

Sonic dad because they’re one of the

Sonic dad because they’re one of the channels I follow and these guys have my

channels I follow and these guys have my

channels I follow and these guys have my highest respect I know them personally

highest respect I know them personally

highest respect I know them personally and they’re on a mission to help people

and they’re on a mission to help people

and they’re on a mission to help people turn off the TV and go make something

turn off the TV and go make something

turn off the TV and go make something cool instead thank you for watching and

cool instead thank you for watching and

cool instead thank you for watching and supporting these projects I appreciate

supporting these projects I appreciate

supporting these projects I appreciate you and I’m excited to see you around

you and I’m excited to see you around

you and I’m excited to see you around for the next project video I’ll talk to

for the next project video I’ll talk to

for the next project video I’ll talk to you then