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Thread: How to make a Matchbox Rocket launcher

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    HEXUS.timelord. Zak33's Avatar
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    How to make a Matchbox Rocket launcher



    superb

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    Re: How to make a Matchbox Rocket launcher

    We used to do something similar at Uni. One of our flat mates smoked. We used to wrap a match head in aluminium foil and embed it in a cigarette about a sixth of the way down. It made a very satisfying bang!

    (He doesn't smoke any more)
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    Re: How to make a Matchbox Rocket launcher

    we've been at it all afternoon today

    two match heads fails.. I think only one ignites and before the second can ignite it's flown off but is too heavy (I was hoping for a second afterburner kick-in effect )

    sand down the wooden lanch shaft.. make it smooth

    Have blown the foil out three times.. makes a suprising bang when the rocket doesn't slide off and the pressure is too much and it blows outwards

    excellent fun... learned a lot too

    Fold the foil over, then over again so it's 4 thick.. then crimp HARD with pliars.

    then we have crimped it the other way to make a point.

    Quote Originally Posted by Advice Trinity by Knoxville
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    Re: How to make a Matchbox Rocket launcher

    Try wrapping the second match head in its own foil and then wrap that with the head in the outer foil. The idea is to contain the combustion products to give an impulse. The second layer of foil may delay the ignition of the match head slightly to give the desired effect.

    (Any experimentation on these lines is at your own risk! Wear eye protection, ear defenders and have a method of extinguishing fires nearby, along with a first aid kit!)
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    HEXUS.timelord. Zak33's Avatar
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    Re: How to make a Matchbox Rocket launcher

    we did it in the kitchen with speedo goggles on and a pint of water waiting close by... we looked awesome

    One landed in the sink , one landed on the window sill ... (no curtains) and one landed in my tea!!!

    I've spent half an hour polishing the kitchen table where the afterburner exhaust gas has destoyed the wax finish

    Zak Jr and I are super popular now

    Zak Jr (nearly 8) burned his fingers a tad retrieving one, so lessons learned... brilliant days rocket firing

    Quote Originally Posted by Advice Trinity by Knoxville
    "The second you aren't paying attention to the tool you're using, it will take your fingers from you. It does not know sympathy." |
    "If you don't gaffer it, it will gaffer you" | "Belt and braces"

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    Re: How to make a Matchbox Rocket launcher

    If its wet tomorrow I'll get some matches and give it a go with my kids. Any alternative to the foil tape for the tail fins; not sure I want to have to go and find some.

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    Re: How to make a Matchbox Rocket launcher

    I wouldn't worry, fins are an extravagance, these things work ok without them

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    Re: How to make a Matchbox Rocket launcher

    we faffed about with fins and then ... didn't bother

    they fly without... we're not guiding them...

    Quote Originally Posted by Advice Trinity by Knoxville
    "The second you aren't paying attention to the tool you're using, it will take your fingers from you. It does not know sympathy." |
    "If you don't gaffer it, it will gaffer you" | "Belt and braces"

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    Re: How to make a Matchbox Rocket launcher

    Tried a few weeks ago with ships matches with a head wind. The choice on bank holiday monday was pretty poor. I think we managed a meter :/



    2/5. Very small heads; perhaps a lack of experience but I will not utilise these again.

    This weekend we got out hands on some these beauties.



    3/4 a good reliable propellent.

    A short trip to the news agents and I managed to obtain an old favorite.


    4/5 fantastic. Without the trees we would be regularly landing in the neighbours garden. The heads can be easily stripped with pliers and further added to existing rockets.

    In order to find the five I think a few powdered heads with no wood from the match head are needed. A match head and flakes doesn't provide a uniform ignition. Finding a flammable and combustible medium to form a uniform paste is the way to go mounted on the blunt end of the skewer to maximise compression. A relative high boiling point so the powder does not dry out.

    A loo role cut to shape makes a great wind shield for a candle.

    I'll keep an eye out for any other brands.
    Last edited by Domestic_Ginger; 09-05-2015 at 09:44 PM.

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    Re: How to make a Matchbox Rocket launcher

    Do you ever wonder if these peoples houses are full of random furniture made from recycled stuff?

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    Re: How to make a Matchbox Rocket launcher

    His mother wouldn't have it. Me; the wife wouldn't stand for it.

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