Trying to think up projects to keep the kids busy this summer...stumbled on an Arduino blaster cannon remotely controlled on an Android phone that looked awesome, but a little more work than the kids can handle right now (I might buy some pieces and give it a whirl, though! ::) ).
So how about a manual air powered rocket launcher?
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/blog/tag/pvc-rocket-launcher/ (http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/blog/tag/pvc-rocket-launcher/)
Picked up the PVC bits yesterday morning...at lunch got the shrader valve and a tap...and assembled this:
(http://mudhen.smugmug.com/Family/RocketLauncher/i-8sRtb8T/0/L/smugshot_6593082-L.jpg)
At 80psi we blew a hole out the side of the rocket (directions said use poster board - that didn't cut it!)
(http://mudhen.smugmug.com/Family/RocketLauncher/i-7dVk5sF/0/L/smugshot_5182078-L.jpg)
Also had a problem with nose cones disintegrating - a Lego Duplo block gave its life to be part of something bigger:
(http://mudhen.smugmug.com/Family/RocketLauncher/i-3vPtgvC/0/L/smugshot_6232354-L.jpg)
So an Apple Jacks box, duplo block, and some fins...AppleJack1, ready for launch:
(http://mudhen.smugmug.com/Family/RocketLauncher/i-XHkgGFs/0/L/smugshot_9810321-L.jpg)
HOLY CRAP does that thing fly!!! LOL!! :-\
Shot it up the driveway and at 90psi it actually went over these trees:
(http://mudhen.smugmug.com/Family/RocketLauncher/i-XPsxj8C/0/L/smugshot_1472739-L.jpg)
Not letting the kids fire it, though - pretty hard to get the pressure in and a little worried about any problems that might arise with the PVC exploding. But wow, does it go...
Wrap it in Duct tape (the PVC) a blow out will not be so dramatic then.
My son and I used to build things all the time when he was 12-15 years old. We made a Trebuchet to launch babies with... actually baby dolls from Toys R us, my son is warped, it was his idea.
We also built a Potato Gun, which is most likely illegal. But so much fun.
He also made explosives and smoke bombs. Under supervision of course. There was a stain in the road for years from the smoke bomb.
My younger one is 10 now and I might look into that rocket. He would love that.
Good fun there Dad, good for you!!!