DIY High Power Rocket 

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Hello from France, I'm 65 years old. I love young people like you with crazy ideas and so much energy to implement them. And you share your experiences with us, so keep going, you are role models!

So so cool man! Had to watch it again haha

"the parachute didn't work..." these words have been said by everyone who has ever done much with model rockets.

'Oh bollocks!' : -) Having been to a few rocketry events, you usually hear that, then raucous laughter. Either that, or 'Is it supposed to do that?' then people running away.

This 70 yr old from Miami who played with the Estes rockets in his younger days really enjoyed this video. Love the design and congrats on that much success for launch #1. Looking forward to #2. Good luck!

lifehack: always put a trash bag inside a plane/rocket to collect debris :)

This is a beautiful example of 3d printing in a practical form. EVERYTHING doesn't have to be printed, and it's like some people don't like that or something. Not only does this look cooler, but it's closer to how it's actually done. Excellent work bro, just excellent.

From my experience with model rockets, I would think that you may have such a large volume of space inside the fuselage that the rockets' ejection charges are not effective. If that is the issue, there are a couple of paths you could go down to address it. It will just take a little of that impressive engineering that you regularly demonstrate. 👍

This has to be my favorite video James has uploaded, the project itself is fantastic but the production quality of this video was great!

If you continue to have problems with ignition timing you can use a hold-down launch pad to hold the rocket down for say half a second to make sure that everything is firing properly. Great video love your work

When the brits start learning how to make rockets too. “scared German noises”

"haven't revisted it since the space shuttle catastrophy last year" haven't heard that one since 86'

Ive been working on a project quite similar to what you did here. One thing that I tried to do that I thought was pretty cool is I 3D printed fly away launch rail guides. So as soon as the buttons leave the rod the buttons fly off the rocket which makes it more aerodynamic as it travels through the air.

Dang I love rockets! Though only 6 ignited, getting a cluster working is super hard! Big respect for how successfully you got it working! Can't wait to see more rockets on your channel

I'm not from France, however I am 63 and also enjoy youthful enthusiasm!! I was born in the year of Sputnik and grew up with the Apollo program and am very happy to see rocket enthusiasts going for it today :-))

I'm getting some good "October Sky" vibes from this. Awesome. Keep it going!

12:13 That's why full size rockets are held to the pad until all motors are stable and producing equal thrust. A challenge with a burn time of a few seconds, but perhaps a 0.5 second hold might get you a stable enough burn before launch. Awesome; I love your projects!

That was cool! Can't wait to see the next version! I love your projects!

Used to build and launch rockets years ago, and I found that if I cut a hole in the center of the parachute (such as real parachutes have) the rocket didn't get carried away as far, it allowed a more straight descent without all the pendulum swinging motion. It didn't lose any efficiency due to that hole, it just allowed the air in the parachute to exit the canopy without inducing the swinging.

DUDE! That was amazing! I love how it clears the tower and then pitched down range like exactly when it should! Man please do more of this!!! Just gained a sub my friend good work

Brilliant Project! Do avoid snug-fitting nose cones, though.

Hi this randomly showed up in my recommendation section, so I decided to watch it! I downloaded the files, modified some, made it twice as large, Printed some struts and made them connectable, made larger fins, and the payload was uccesful! I even recovered the fuselage that landed in a shallow lake! The payload was a space shuttle glider which I also recovered, it was designed with the ability to circle its launch area through a computer and some control surfaces! It was tough but it worked, I’m preparing for a new design for the fins though they didn’t work as expected, and the nose failed to land properly and the parachute didn’t catch air for some reason, probably folded it wrong. And the launch tower snapped from the slider being jammy, the rocket will be used again maybe in another week for redesigns and purchase of new parts. Overall thanks for your design, the rocket worked great!

Man this is the first video of your channel that I have seen. And WOW! I’m very impressed! Keep up the great work bud!

This flight reminded me of a V2 test flight where the engine malfunction caused the missile to take a digger. You may solve the chute ejection problem, but balancing the thrust before liftoff with off-the-shelf engines may be a bit of a challenge. It is a lot easier with liquid fuel as one can monitor and ramp up the engines. In fact the V2 had a engine stabilization step in its launch procedure. You might have to very selective on your engines (e.g. weigh them) and igniters being rich and matched. Lots of fun. Best of luck.

That was very Kerbal from your rocket! Especially the landing. Just like on the computer! ;)

The AIR hoodie is awesome! Almost as awesome as the editing, the drone shots, and that quarantine hair. :D

That looked like a V2 coming back to earth! Good job!!!

James, GREAT VIDEO! I feel for ya about that landing. I also have a "parts bag" for picking up my R/C parts after most of my "famous" landings! Kudos to you brother for ALL the effort that you put into your projects! Keep UP your chin, great work and fantastic projects! Best regards, Dave

Excellent design, for the next one I recommend you to print the cone in vase mode, it takes less than an hour and it doesn't weigh anything.

"I might have over-engineered the launch rail" *Rail wobbles after grazing it*

This was the best DIY video I have ever seen, excellent job!!!!

Got your "hight powered rocket plane " video in recommendation, now I've been watching your videos for 3 hours continuously. You're doing good work mate.

Cool rocket, couple of things: the launch buttons want one to be at the bottom and one on the CG. Also the sex noises followed by ‘eject eject’ were hilarious. 👍🏻

Think about a piston style eject system, you have a large volume for a comparatively small charge. Also heavier cable to guarantee amps at the igniter.

Lightly sand nose cone until it can be easily pulled off but when turned upside down it doesn’t just fall off. I used to do model rockets (not just the small ones). I’m not expert but this has worked very well for us!

Tip: Make a hole in the nose cone mix: -75% potassium nitrate -15% charcoal 10% powdered sulfur fill up the nose cone with the newly made old style gunpowder put a nail with spike facing inside of nose cone in hole. BE VERY CAREFUL AND GET FAR AWAY. PUT THE NAIL JUST BEFORE LAUNCH. you essentially have an unguided missile.

2:21 says: the iconic Enterprise shows: a mockery of the iconic Enterprise

manual ejectors maybe? just 3d printed holder with small servo in the head if its not to heavy or timed ejection if its to high for signal or maybe even an ejector with a C02 bottle if you want i would like to help and send over some ejector ideas if the the rockets are not enough

Launch @ 9:58 - Thanks for the video! Great Work!!

You got yourself a new subscriber. The type of channel I’ve been looking for

I suggest you work on the parachute ejection system :) Damn that thing had a lot of power!

"Eject! EJECT!.... ah, bollocks!!" Been there before.

I’ve been enjoying your series. I wouldn’t worry about the rocket nose coming off early. It can be loose. If the top comes off because the nose winds up sideways while at full speed you’re going to want the rocket slowed anyway. So a little sanding is all you need I think to fix your problems might want to tape nose in place until just before launch to keep it together during travel to site. You might also want to be sure your fuselage stays pretty airtight to allow charges to work.

thank you for everything you are the best engineer in youtube

Could you put each croc clip on long lengths of wire so they still have time to ignite as it starts moving up the launch stand. Also you could mount a dowel on the inside of the nose cone with a disc at the opposite end so it works like a piston to eject the nose cone Edit: great production in this video too

Nice Flight! the combination of the rocket and the launch pad has a really cool retro aesthetic! Cluster rockets are always difficult with ignition but you still got a good flight out of it! hope to see more rocket related content from you!!!! ;) also if you need some thrust vector control for your next attempt at the space-shuttle let us know ;P

I absolutely love your designs. So clean and professional looking. Good luck on the next rocket, the launch looked awesome!

Really cool rocket! I'm happy to have found this channel!

It looked like a V2 coming down into London

8:42 is launch

This was really cool! Thanks for doing and sharing. Gonna use nichrome or kanthal for ignition. Did a test. Works great.

Awesome video. Very informative and just cool as ever. Well done.

I'm gonna make starship so thanks for the 3d file of the nosecone!

Well done! MY first rocket, built long before either of your parents were even a leer in your grandparents' eyes, was almost identical in design to yours. Fins were smaller, and I suspect you need to enlarge the fins and lengthen of the fuselage a bit. Intuition, and you lost 2 engines. In the good old days of the very early '60s, 3D printers didn't exist. Hell, printers and computers didn't exist! Well they did, but they were pretty big, slow, clunky, and well, you get the point. I came up with your ignition system for 3 engines using 2 paper clips, uncoiled, and alligator clips, powered by my father's car battery. It worked. My igniters were loops of NiChrome wire, with fuse wire wrapped into the loop. As soon as the wire got hot, the fuse went off, and the flame started the engines. Simultaneous firing across the board. I believe the early Soviet (real) rockets relied on a similar type of system. Ya done noble! Sand down your next nose cone, lubricate it with something and try again! Oh, for the record, as a 12 year old, I dreamed of working for NASA. Mann tracht, und Gott lacht! I became a physician, Internal Medicine. I might not have gotten anything into space, but I saved a hell of a lot of lives. Never give up! You have no idea of where this little hobby of yours will get you. Best wishes from the States.

Well done, all in all. The thing about the Big Bertha design is that it's so stable that you could probably just set it on it's fins and launch it without the tower.

I like how he said “i want to make this easy to build for everyone, so i made the parts 3d printed” yes because everyone has a 3d printer

Im a 14 year old whos trying to learn physics

Cluster ignition can be tricky. Long ago, I used two AGM automotive batteries. One battery provides 12 volts to switch a relay at the launch pad where a second AGM automotive battery was relay switched with short leads to deliver high current to the igniters which were flashbulb/thermalite with a custom wiring harness to avoid electrical shorts or open circuits. Igniter Technology has advanced quite aways since then and there are better options. When clustering a large group of motors (I never ventured past 5) relay switched power was the easiest,safest, and most effective way then.

Great video, great channel! That’s so cool you deserve more views

10:25 - Reminds me of August 6th 1945, Hiroshima.

The rocket gets launched at 10:00

Great video .....As an option for anyone building a rocket-like this, if you decide to go really big or add more thrust. Carbon fibre dowels are available in a variety of designs, sizes, strengths. They only add a few dollars over the cost of wooden dowels. On a rocket this size and thrust, you're looking at a cost of around 8.00 USA dollars /6 + plus pounds for #4 24 inch / 60 CM long dowels.

That's a pretty neat construction technique. I can't imagine those thin paper walls would hold pressure very well when the ejection charges fire, though, and the ejection charges not firing all at once would complicate things further.

Nobody dare say first It's annoying

I m 50 years old and really enjoyed your prpject . I write you From Latín america ....excelent work

Great video really enjoyed it Thank you so much for making it.

Very nice build and fly! I consider it a success regardless of parachute not deployed.

That was some of the best slow-mo footage I've seen on RU-vid!

nice build on the rocket... I may not be the first to suggest this, but in order to solve your parachute deployment issue, you need to run a smaller tube up the center of the rocket called a shotgun tube. This tube directs the ejection charge from the center engine (which should have a slightly longer ejection delay) up to the parachute hatch/nose cone. Ensure that the shotgun tube is fairly well sealed and that your parachute hatch/nose cone is the only way the gasses can escape. Also, your ignition issue can be resolved using higher voltage. The setup that I use outputs around 53 volts (7x 9 volt batteries)

Good job. I had a couple of ideas for you, but I see there are even better ones in the comments already. I'm sure your next one will work flawlessly.

Love the video, a few sergestions on the ignision (I dont do rocets, but have yoused plent of pyrotechnics): My first sergestion is to link all the starters in series not parallel (we fined that we get a more reliable response with that) OR My seconed sergestion would be to use some very lightweight wire (the stuff you inside small motors) so as the rocket takes off, it have a little longer to ignight the slower rockets.

Really cool video! Parachutes are tough, that's for sure. Good luck on the next test!

I love how the smoke blew right at him, then when he walked forward, the smoke just turned around and just followed him 🤣

I like this guy!! a lot of amazing projects!! Greetings from Brazil

You’re doing a good job with your channel James! I love rocketry as well, currently certified level 2 with the Tripoli rocket association. Just watched your kerbal video too. Not sure if you have any rocket flight simulator software but it can really help with these sized rockets. Open rocket is free or rocksim is better but not free. Also, your cluster rocket setup is probably fine, just need more amps (bigger battery) to make sure all the igniters go quickly. Sometimes I add a tiny bit of black powder in the nozzle and hot glue it shut. Works well. Keep up the good work brother!

Awesome and good work man

Maybe try using springs to assist with the contact to the motors by making the crocodile clips push upwards. That may give an extra chance to light up all the engines. And maybe a long quick-lighting fuse from the base to the top connecting to a separate ejection system could better work. Beautiful build and test, mate. Wonderful.

Very cool 😎 keep up the awesome work !! 👍

Nice video, can't wait to see more

Brilliant. Well done

Amazing brain you have. I would definitely invest in your future! Good luck

I would do some static testing of your parachute ejection. one thing to consider once you get that sorted is that not all of your motors will need that ejection charge. Maybe just the center one.

I suggest working on a timed rocket release mechanism and integrating that with the ignition system. Initially when the rocket is on the pad, there are servo-controlled latches that hold the rocket down. A fraction of a second after the ignition begins, the servos retract the latches and the rocket takes off, hopefully with all 9 motors firing. Really epic first try!

Great video! 1 recommendation, would have been to sand the nose cone so that it wasn't so tight. Can't wait for launch 2.0!!

You may lose some maximum altitude, but investing in a hold down system that arrests the rocket for a few fractions of a second while all motors ignite may help. Some solenoid cannibalized from an electrical relais might help. (or even just a magnet that lets go only when the majority of motors have ignited.)

That was awesome....well done

Rather brilliant. I’ve not had rockets in 50 years or so, but they were so much fun. I put a big motor in a tiny rocket and never saw it again, so I get your pain. My only suggestion is to increase your launch battery, or perhaps use three parallel circuits to ignite three motors each. Nine igniters is a LOT of load for one battery.

That rocket is a beast!!!

I make sugar rockets and rather than using electric igniters, I fill the engine's bore hole with a bit of loose fuel mix (sugar/KNO3) and touch it off. You can do the same with black powder, but it tends to run back out of the hole, while the sugar fuel mix tends to hold in place enough to fight gravity and stay up inside while the rocket points up. With each engine prepared with fuel mix they are sensitive to a high temperature flash, easily provided by a small tray of fuel/black powder fixed under the engine assembly. Engines that fail to catch on the initial flash have a second chance to be set off by the other engines during flight. I've had a lot of success with this method using single engine rockets, and in my mind it would be a great fit for your situation.

Great rocket and launch! That's the best multimotor ignition I've ever seen. The launch was grand, and if the 'chute is not going to open, the resulting impact should, at the least, be spectacular. I've been looking forward to this vid, as will I to the next. Thanks for the cool content my friend, it was not assured worth the wait. Hope that you are in good health, be well and stay safe.

You've probably thought of this by now or somebody will have suggested it but if you use a solenoid or similar to retain one of the guide buttons until all engines are lit, you will have them all generating thrust at the same rate before the vehicle starts moving. A solenoid might not be fast enough, a pyro device with a few millisecond delay from the main igniter circuit might do it.

An intra-continental ballistic missile! Bravo!

Loved this!

Great launch stand!

Nice build. Definitely subscribing

Suggest using a non-flammable wading to prevent blowback from rocket flames burning the fuselage/parachute. Also suggest using a fine grit sandpaper around the cone base so the parachute can eject. Loose but snug. model rocket wadding alternative. As an alternative to recovery wadding, you can use a baffle, fire resistant crepe paper or fire resistant cellulose insulation.

It would be interesting to see if you could build a common pressure chamber for multiple engines and then you could have a single exhaust nozzle. It would probably be pretty hard to light all the engines but at least you wouldn’t have to worry about a symmetrical trust if they let a different times

Really cool video i love this type of content on yt!

I am impressed you got 6 to fire. Very cool.