The Spotted Dragon 
  The Dungeons  
     
Courtyard
 
Marketplace
 
Stables
 
Dungeon
 
Hunting
 
Home

MY LAUNCH PAD

With my growing fleet I decided I needed a new launch pad. The regular one I have only allows me to prep and launch one rocket at a time and I didn't feel like spending a lot of money to buy more. So I looked around on the Internet for plans. I found several sites with interesting plans, and a couple recommended building a pad from PVC. I briefly considered just taking a sawhorse and attaching the launch rods to that (similar to some of the heavy-duty multiple launch setups I saw on the 'net) but didn't want to haul that much weight around. So, I decided to build my new pad from PVC.

Here is the parts list:
  • One - 10' long 1.5" PVC pipe, cut into two 2' lengths
  • One - 10' long 1" PVC pipe, cut into five 2' lengths
  • One - 1.5" to 1" T connector
  • Two - 1.5" to 1.5" connector
  • Two - 1.5" to 1" reducer with threaded opening
  • Two - 1" 90 degree elbow with threaded opening on the side
  • Two - 1" close threaded nipple
  • Five - 1" PVC cap
  • One - Can spray paint made for plastic
  • One - Can spray paint clearcoat
Construction is simple. I decided not to glue anything together so the pad could be taken apart. Since nothing is longer than 2' 6", everything should fit into a small bag. Also, since I have 6' of my 10' piece of 1.5" PVC (the pre-cut pieces were twice as expensive as the 10' piece) I can cut a section and use it for storing my launch rods.
All the Parts   First, cut the 10' long pieces of PVC into the lengths specified above. If you want a longer launch platform, adjust the length of the 1.5" PVC accordingly. Be sure to be careful with the cuts and make them as straight as possible. Sand the ends of the pieces to remove burring.

Also, I sanded around one end of each of the pieces so the whole launch platform can be taken apart more easily once the launch is done.
       
End Caps   Put end caps on all of the 1" PVC pipes.
     
T Connector   Put the "T" connector on one end of a 1.5" pipe.
     
End Nipple   Put one 1.5" connector on the other end of the 1.5" pipe and put the other 1.5" connector on one end of the other 1.5" pipe.

Now, insert the 1.5" to 1" threaded reducers in the 1.5" connectors.

Add the 1" close threaded nipples.

You should have two 2' long 1.5" PVC pieces. Each should look like the picture on the left on one end, and one should have a T connector on the other end.
     
Elbows In Place   Thread the 90 degree elbows onto the open end of each threaded nipple. On the one with the T connector be sure the bottom of the T connetor points in the same direction as the bottom of the elbow!
     
Almost done!   Put it all together now... almost done!
     
Support piece   Now measure from the ground to the bottom of the crosspiece so you can cut the last piece of 1" PVC to fit into the T connector. On mine, it ended up to be 17". Once cut, sand the end so it will fit in smoothly and be easily removable.
     
Completed!   Finished!

Now for a couple of coats of paint and clearcoat to protect the finish.

Drill holes in the top - I put three 1/8" holes on each side of the connector, and two 3/16" holes between the 1/8" holes.
     
Picture Soon   For the launch rods, I bought some 1/8" x 36" steel rod at Home Depot. Also, some 1/8" end nuts (that crimp on) to keep the rod from taking off with the rocket. And some spring clips (like on the back of a sink faucet) to keep it from falling through. Add a blast deflector and a steel stand-off, and you'r eready to go!
Finished and Loaded   The completed launch pad, painted and loaded up with rockets. Let the flights begin!