So, I was bored and had a little extra time this evening, so I threw together a potential design for a ball rocket rack that I've been thinking of for awhile now. Since I've used Sketchup for a numbers of years, I figured it would be fun to make a 3D model.
Overall hieght is 3'. Overall length is 3'3" (the top rail is screwed into the side rails, not on top of...if that makes sense). Constructed out of 2x4 material.
This rack is designed to hold 33 1.75" ball rockets. The holes are spaced to give each rocket plenty of space around each side. Although fusing would be tight, there is still plenty of room to do it, if don't a certain way.
The bottom two supports that come out from the main structure are connected by a bolt. This allows the supports to be folded up when not in use. Also allows the entire rack to be angled in any direction to any degree. When desired angle is achieved, you just tighten up the bolts.
Again, just a design I've been working around in my brain. Thoughts? Ideas? Questions? Any improvements you can think of? Thanks for the look guys and gals!
tjfireworks
May 26th, 2009, 08:47 PM
Looks good, but the bottom is the only concern I would have with stability, but a couple of cinder blocks should take care of that.
Arthur Brown
May 27th, 2009, 12:12 AM
With feet on only one side it's hardly stable. With any sequence firing thing stability is really important in case it falls over during the sequence and fires into the crowd.
Is this for single ignition or individual firing? The big rocket trays use the jet blast from the first rocket to light the fuse on the next few. Otherwise you need the fuses separated enough to ensure that they fire singly on demand.
takiv
May 27th, 2009, 04:37 AM
I would consider a double set of bolts in the bottom to prevent the connection from loosening and folding up. If it was my rack I would have the support feet extend to both sides of the rack.
HeLLy
May 27th, 2009, 07:13 AM
Make legs on the other side but use the same bolt (or a longer one) that way you can loosen it and adjust the angle of your rack, and tighten it when at a satisfied angle.
Switchfoot55
May 27th, 2009, 08:11 AM
Make legs on the other side but use the same bolt (or a longer one) that way you can loosen it and adjust the angle of your rack, and tighten it when at a satisfied angle.
I like that suggestion Helly, thanks. That way I could still fold the legs up, but have stability on both sides.
My intent isn't to have it straight up, but angled back toward the legs (in the current picture). Thought that would provide more stability. In any case, 2 extra legs would be more than easy to add on.
Switchfoot55
May 28th, 2009, 10:38 AM
So, here is an updated version with legs extending out of both sides. The design still allows for the legs to fold up under the middle support for flat storage:
ok just for kicks i'll describe my rocket rack i use to send up an entire case of forward powerball rockets at once.
first i made the rails, these rails were able to hold 24 rockets, i made 6 of them. i built them to be as flat as possible yet still be sturdy (lots of liquid nails on the joints).
once the slats were built i constructed ends that would lock three rails in place. this gave me two blocks of rails that were able to hold 72 rockets. these end blocks also hold a carriage bolt near the top of the block so i could attach legs.
then i built 4 sets of "A" frame legs that have a hole drilled in the top to accept the bolt from the blocks that hold the rails.
when i break it all down there are 6 rails, 4 end blocks (to hold the rails), and 4 "A" frame legs (to hold the end blocks).
the entire setup is modular and can be broke down and stored easily, yet once assembled it's sturdy and can be adjusted to just about any angle.
i've used them to fire rockets verticaly into the sky, and i've used these racks to angle the salvo out and over a river in a nice arch.
i'm working on a redesign on the legs because they don't store that great (i built them fast). if i took the time to design some folding legs both of the racks (rails, ends, and legs) would easily store under a bed.
there are a few pics on this site somewhere from one of chris's pizza parties where you can sorta see it. i'll try and dig the pic up.