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What would you make the nose cone of bottle rockets out of? I'm considering construction paper wrapped in duct tape for reinforcement. Would this be a good idea?

bob32 wrote:What would you make the nose cone of bottle rockets out of? I'm considering construction paper wrapped in duct tape for reinforcement. Would this be a good idea?

In my experience, construction paper isn't the greatest material to use for nose cones as it is quite flimsy and doesn't hold its shape after launching. I prefer to use other soda bottles and a backslider for my nose cones although I have seen other teams use plastic sheets and styrofoam cups.

Nose cone made from other soda bottle

Also last year's page on bottle rockets may be a good reference.

bob32 wrote:What would you make the nose cone of bottle rockets out of? I'm considering construction paper wrapped in duct tape for reinforcement. Would this be a good idea?

The best is Plastic Film. It's light, and simple.
You can probably get a decently sized roll at a craft store.

The most efficient (I used at nationals) is 0.07 inch thick clear plastic film. You can make a cone shape, or a cylinder. Both should work on a 1 liter bottle.

Where did you buy the film could you post a link? Thanks

Shchakrabarti wrote:Where did you buy the film could you post a link? Thanks

I bought my film at a local art shop. So if you have any of those, its probably best to look there first. Anyway: I found this online store that sells a variety of sizes: http://www.eplastics.com/Clear_Polyester_Film

I would suggest the 0.007 inch thick sheets.

I've also tried out the 0.005 inch sheets, but they often times collapsed upon launch.
I haven't tried it out on a 1 liter bottle yet, so if you're willing to experiment to reduce even more weight, then 0.005 might be an option.

I would also suggest to get some corrugated plastic signs of some sort to use as fins. (You can get them at ACE)
For my rockets I used the following two fin designs:
Rocket 1:
Trapezoid-like shape, with a corrugated plastic leading edge (like 3cm worth) and then a trailing edge of plastic film, taped to the corrugated plastic, and the bottle. (I used 0.005, but 0.007 works too)

Rocket 2:
Same concept with the corrugated plastic, but now only 2cm worth, and a flexible carbon fibre dowel keeping a 0.003" trailing edge of film taught.

Sorry about the poor description.
Keep in mind that these were all used on 2 liter bottles last year, so try experimenting with the two materials and find out what works best for your rocket.

Thanks for the help, ill test out for the 1 liter and see if i worked equally efficient.

Hi everyone,
This is my first time coaching bottle rockets. What materials are used as backslider? Can someone please share details.
I checked homedepot and they seem to be very heavy. I see some plastic tubes being sold on amazon. I am not sure if they would work.
Also, since the bottle size is 1L this year, is a long backslider a good idea, or would another bottle with a nosecone a better idea.
Thank you for your help.

Regards.

sunitha wrote:Hi everyone,
This is my first time coaching bottle rockets. What materials are used as backslider? Can someone please share details.
I checked homedepot and they seem to be very heavy. I see some plastic tubes being sold on amazon. I am not sure if they would work.
Also, since the bottle size is 1L this year, is a long backslider a good idea, or would another bottle with a nosecone a better idea.
Thank you for your help.

Regards.

I am a student but I have been doing bottle rockets for 3 years now and have won 2nd at the second that the state level in PA. So i am okay at this.

Make sure the students read the scioly bottle rockets forms often

Make sure the students read the rules at least 5 times

Read: viewtopic.php?f=249&t=9987 and https://scioly.org/wiki/index.php/Bottle_Rocket Read until they understand it

Materials:
Nosecone:
Basic: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-Lig ... /100163152
Advanced: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006Z ... 1RQFAUOIGI

Fins: http://txsnapper.eezway.org/waterrocket ... erfin.html

Picture: https://s15.postimg.org/qtd9oc0p7/20161129_233544.jpg

Best Website: http://txsnapper.eezway.org/powerdeployment/

Water rocket simulator: http://www.sciencebits.com/RocketCalcul ... omForm=yes

The most important thing: TEST, TEST, TEST and some more TESTING

This is my first time...anything I need to know that wouldn't be on the rules?

Sasstiel wrote:This is my first time...anything I need to know that wouldn't be on the rules?

Not really, but make sure you read they and check the rules line by line before competition.