Soda Bottle Rocket Launcher

I've had a couple requests for instructions on making a Soda Bottle Rocket Launcher. Since I had to make another one tonight for the Cul-de-sac of Fire, tomorrow. I took pictures all the way through. The one I made tonight is a 4 place launcher, so that we can process more kids/rockets through in a shorter period of time. However, the one that I made several months ago for scouts, launches one rocket at a time and I think is a bit more powerful (plus easier to store).



This is my single launcher. After searching the internet for instructions on building a launcher, this is what I finally came up with. It didn't really follow any of the designs I found, but it works just the same. I put a ball valve between the air compressor and the rocket so that the pressure could build up behind the ball, and the kids themselves could actually launch the rocket. So far it has worked fantastically.

This in addition to 2 poles of 1/2" pvc pipe, is all that I used to make the 4 place launcher.

The hardest part for me, was to get the PVC from the pipe to this little gadget, that hooks to the air compressor. So this is what I came up with. There may be an easier way, but...I couldn't figure it out. So here we go...


These are the 4 parts. I wish I could tell you what they are, but I really don't know. The one on the far right is a pvc that has a slip on one side (that had to be glued to the actual pipe), and threads on the inside of the other side so that it could screw to that cute little bolt next to it. Then that little tiny double sided bolt slides into both the large bolt and the coupler that attaches to the air compressor. I used plumbers tape on each of these joints to keep them from leaking air.


This is the finished product. The white end glues to the pipe, and the gold end hooks the whole contraption to the hose on the air compressor.

This is the ball valve that lets the air into the launchers.

Glue it all together with sprinkler pipe glue.

And here you have it, the two finished launchers. I made the 4 place one a bit longer so that it would keep the kids farther away from disaster as they launched, but otherwise they both work the same. 16.9 oz bottles as well as 2 litre bottles fit on the 1/2" pipe. I did put a little ring of electrical tape about half way down the launching pipe to create a tighter seal for the bottles. But most bottles fit pretty tight on their own.


I forgot to mention, fill the bottle about half way with water and then put it on the pipe. Most of the water will run down into the pipe, but that's ok. Then when you're ready, turn the ball valve. As far as the amount of pressure, you have to play with that. We started at about 50lbs and they launched ok, but the other day they had it all the way to 100lbs. The bottles went SO high. We had them landing on our roof, and a few near misses with people and vehicles driving by.

But they are a great time, they entertain the kids for a VERY LONG TIME!