good propulsion for homemade rockets?

  • Thread starter Thread starter sergiolacoste
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sergiolacoste

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My friend and I are trying to make homemade rockets. We have made about 8 so far. They really are great looks like a rocket and SOUNDS like one to xD. were taking apart fireworks (bottle rockets) for their powder, but it doesn't seem like enough thrust to get it in the air. It looks like it produces enough thrust, but maybe its a weight issue, but they aren't heavy! It's made out of a cut up pop can it doesn't weigh anything! so if anyone knows of a powerful fuel that can be found or made around the house or has any tips on anything related, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Don't worry were being safe xD we have already thought of the nozzle and have been using it it looks like it should g somewhere but it isn't :( we don't want to buy anything for it that would defeat the purpose of making it ourselves were making long fuses so we have time to run behind a barrier :P
 
I would be very careful about safety, I've heard plenty of stories about people blowing their fingers off or worse. Have you looked into Estes rockets? I've built several. They make safe solid fuel rocket cartridges of different sizes.
 
Ignoring the H&S issues of this. You can purchase pre made thrusters, with a varying range of thrusts.

If you want to continue with your potentially dangerous method, you should look into creating a nozzle for the rockets. This will increase the velocity, and hence reaction force of the escaping gas.

Be warned though, this will increase the pressure inside your rocket body. Potentially leading to explosion.

EDIT: I would re-investigate the nozzle. You may have made it too small. You want to increase the gas velocity, without actually "throttling" it. You could check the burn inside as well, is the fuel burning fully in the void, or is it "wicking"? i.e. Only burning at one point.
 
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