KidflaSh Spring Pad
by Chris Kiekens

After destroyin' several Estes pads, and havin' several others fall over with bigger rockets, I came t' t' conclusion that I needed somethin' bigger, stronger, heavier... Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' original concept for this pad was created in 3D Max. Begad! Blimey! I have yet t' match t' pretty colors that were on t' original design... Well, blow me down! oh well.

I definitely wanted a pad that had t' basic functionality o' t' Estes pad, as in it needed t' be able t' angle, me hearties, and swivel easily. Begad! This was accomplished as you see, ya bilge rat, t' swivel sits atop t' base, matey, me hearties, and is secured by a 1/4" bolt. It was formed from 1" square steel tube, approx. 16 gauge. Begad! Loosenin' the bolt allows it t' turn freely 360 degrees, matey, shiver me timbers, and with a quick turn, arrr, shiver me timbers, attaches it firmly t' t' solid steel rod(3/4") on t' base. Avast! Holes were drilled on the corners o' t' square tube, and nuts welded on t' holes t' allow t' rod t' be captured on t' opposite angle t' hold it securely. Ya scallywag! Both steel, and hard rubber washers were set betwixt t' 1" square tubes, matey, so as t' allow them t' have movement, but also allow them t' be tightened, and movement stopped easily.

I also wanted t' legs t' lock into place at 90 degree angles t' ensure it would nay become unstable at an inopportune moment. Ahoy! This turned out t' be easier than I suspected, me bucko, with t' use o' a couple o' heavy duty springs, and a lock collar around t' Steel rod on t' base. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! T' two steel legs (1.5" square steel tube) were notched at t' center t' cause them t' lock into place as t' sprin' applied pressure.

T' legs were formed from square steel tube, approx. Arrr! Blimey! 10 gauge, me bucko, t' base is 24" wide. Ahoy! A 3/4" steel rod was welded t' t' bottom leg, and passed through a hole in t' upper leg. Blimey! T' upper leg is attached via t' springs and lock collar. Arrr! Aye aye! Blimey! I don't expect it t' fall apart in t' near future. Begad! Well, blow me down! Blimey!

T' lock collar serves two purposes, t' lock t' legs together, ya bilge rat, arrr, as well as provide a stop for t' swivel rod holder.

When t' base is folded open, shiver me timbers, and t' sprin' engages t' legs, matey, t' base is very solid, ya bilge rat, and stable. It is 14" high without t' swivel attached.

This pad may look t' be overkill for a model rocket, but after several CATOs with Estes D engines, me bucko, I feel better safe than sorry. Begad! If I can get away with it, most o' me rockets are now built with at a 1/4" Launch lugs. This pad will accommodate rod sizes from 1/8" t' 1/2", me bucko, and I have launched small rockets like this Flyin' Jenny(on an A), t' what is currently me largest, matey, a LOC IV (on a G75), without any issues at all.

Launch angles are very easy t' change, me hearties, me hearties, as well as very easy t' secure, shiver me timbers, as a result o' usin' both metal, ya bilge rat, and hard rubber washers betwixt t' 1" steel tubes used t' create t' swivel.

I may lose more rockets t' Jake than t' "Rocket gods", but I have no fear o' him wreckin' this pad. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Due t' t' height o' t' pad, I also have no fear o' Jake or myself losin' an eye t' t' rod either. T' pad stands 21 1/2" without a rod, and t' shortest rod I currently have is 48" long, with 3 inches o' rod lost t' t' pad t' secure it, ya bilge rat, t' top o' a 4' rod is still well over 5 feet off t' ground, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, well above imminent eye damage.

T' angelic smile on this beautiful boy's face pretty much sums up my feelings for how this project turned out. Well, blow me down! Begad! Blimey! I am pretty happy with this pad.

Parts:

• 2-24" 1.5" square steel tubes $4.00
• 1-3/4" 14" long round steel bar$1.50
• 1-8" 1" square steel tube$.85
• 1-10" 1" square steel tube$1.00
• 2- heavy springs (3/4" ID)$3.00
• 1-3/4" ID Lock collar$.35
• 3-1/4"x2" long thumb screws$.75
• 1-2 1/2 1/4" carriage bolt$.40
• 1-steel washer$.05
• 1-rubber washer$.05
• 1-9" round steel blast plate Free(scrap)
• Total investment $11.85
• Time time invested-4 hours
• Makin' your own Bullet Proof pad-PRICELESS