10-03-2014, 09:11 AM
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Born Late Rocketeer
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 568
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Advice? Build one.
OK, I haven't done that (though I did combine pieces of an Estes Porta Pad with some lumber and hardware store finds once, when I couldn't find all the original PP parts). Mostly I launch with the local club and use their equipment... which is homemade. But if I needed my own, I'd definitely look into building one that has the features I want. For instance, our club pads are built on top of sawhorses, meaning you don't have to get down on the ground to hook up your rocket. I've seen others built on sturdy tripods.
A very quick Google session turns up these:
http://makeict.org/2013/03/25/rocket-fun/
http://makezine.com/projects/portab...ket-launch-pad/
http://launchpad.hofle.com/
For rockets beyond about E impulse I'd be starting to want something maybe more sturdy than wood or PVC, and somewhere around F or G is where I'd also be inclined to go with 1010 rail, so I'd probably at least look into commercial pads for that.
The Knight pads http://www.knight-mfg.com/folding_launch_pads look like good ones though I have no experience with them. They do get rather not cheap. |