Estes Mean Machine Problem
Philip Stiff
I am having a problem launching my "Estes" Mean Machine rocket. The
rocket is so big that I can't get it to stand upright on the launch pad.
The rod on the launch pad is too flimsy and the rocket always tips over
to at least a 45 degree angle. The only thing that the manual says to
do is break off some wire from coat hangers and spike the pad into the
ground. I've tried this and it doesn't seem to help at all. Can anyone
here give me some advice on what I should do.
Philip Stiff
st...@pangea.ca
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* "Go...or Stay, but do it because it is what you wish to do!" *
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Wally Wilkins
st...@pangea.ca (Philip Stiff) wrote:
>>I am having a problem launching my "Estes" Mean Machine rocket. The
>>rocket is so big that I can't get it to stand upright on the launch pad.
>> The rod on the launch pad is too flimsy and the rocket always tips over
>>to at least a 45 degree angle. The only thing that the manual says to
>>do is break off some wire from coat hangers and spike the pad into the
>>ground. I've tried this and it doesn't seem to help at all. Can anyone
>>here give me some advice on what I should do.
Are you using the standard E$TE$ launch pad and 1/8-inch rod? I
believe that the Mean Machine uses a 3/16-inch rod. You can buy
4-foot 3/16-inch steel rods at most of the larger Hardware Stores
(Lowes, HQ, Home Depot, etc.). As to anchoring the pad, probably
overkill, could be accomplished using plastic tent stakes and some
string/twine. Drive the stake into the ground on each side of the
legs and then pass the string/twine through the legs of the pad (you
can drill a small hole large enough for it to pass through)
Wally Wilkins
NAR #64578 SR
TRA #4428
NERO #197
All opinions are my own, and worth what you paid for them.
Ken Wolfe
In article <4qavpf$k...@surf.pangea.ca>, st...@pangea.ca says...
>
>I am having a problem launching my "Estes" Mean Machine rocket. The
>rocket is so big that I can't get it to stand upright on the launch pad.
> The rod on the launch pad is too flimsy and the rocket always tips over
>to at least a 45 degree angle. The only thing that the manual says to
>do is break off some wire from coat hangers and spike the pad into the
>ground. I've tried this and it doesn't seem to help at all. Can anyone
>here give me some advice on what I should do.
>
rod (may have to modify the pad a bit).....better yet:
MAKE a pad from crossed 2/4's....use the 1/4" rod.....
MUCH more stable (and can be used for future bigger rocs)
unjust Ken 8)
lord...@txdirect.net
kwo...@interramp.com (Ken Wolfe) wrote:
> Cut off the 1/8" lugs.....install 1/4" lugs.....get a 1/4"
> rod (may have to modify the pad a bit).....better yet:
> MAKE a pad from crossed 2/4's....use the 1/4" rod.....
> MUCH more stable (and can be used for future bigger rocs)
Or make a heavy duty metal adjustable tower launcher. Matt & I had
a 10' 'Superroc' in the 80's (Kaleen Texas launch) that requitered a
huge launcher.
Philip Stiff
I am having a problem launching my "Estes" Mean Machine rocket. The
rocket is so big that I can't get it to stand upright on the launch pad.
The rod on the launch pad is too flimsy and the rocket always tips over
to at least a 45 degree angle. The only thing that the manual says to
do is break off some wire from coat hangers and spike the pad into the
ground. I've tried this and it doesn't seem to help at all. Can anyone
here give me some advice on what I should do.
Philip Stiff
st...@pangea.ca
--
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ME
In article <-13766332...@csgi.com>,
Philip_Stiff%st...@pangea.ca%Inte...@csgi.com (Philip Stiff) wrote:
>I am having a problem launching my "Estes" Mean Machine rocket. The
>rocket is so big that I can't get it to stand upright on the launch pad.
> The rod on the launch pad is too flimsy and the rocket always tips over
>to at least a 45 degree angle. The only thing that the manual says to
>do is break off some wire from coat hangers and spike the pad into the
>ground. I've tried this and it doesn't seem to help at all. Can anyone
>here give me some advice on what I should do.
>
>Philip Stiff
Sounds like your rod is too small <grin>
I would use at least a 3/16" diameter or 1/4"
for that Rocket and not the Estes Porta Pad!!
I'm building a launch pad and will be using 3/16"
steel rod from Fleet Farm.
Chris
Wally Wilkins
st...@pangea.ca (Philip Stiff) wrote:
>>I am having a problem launching my "Estes" Mean Machine rocket. The
>>rocket is so big that I can't get it to stand upright on the launch pad.
>> The rod on the launch pad is too flimsy and the rocket always tips over
>>to at least a 45 degree angle. The only thing that the manual says to
>>do is break off some wire from coat hangers and spike the pad into the
>>ground. I've tried this and it doesn't seem to help at all. Can anyone
>>here give me some advice on what I should do.
Are you using the standard E$TE$ launch pad and 1/8-inch rod? I
Philip Stiff
In article <4qblnk$t...@news1.sunbelt.net>, go...@xebecman.com says...
Based on some of the recommondations that I have already received I
think that getting a thicker rod will fix my problem. As for the whole
spiking issue. It only takes a few seconds to spike the pad into the
ground so it's not really a big deal and I don't mind doing it, even if
it is overkill.
Philip Stiff
In article <4qdilo$e...@viper.txdirect.net>, lord...@txdirect.net
says...
I'm not really much for construction. I don't really think that I want
to build a whole new lauch pad. A thicker rod will probably do the
trick.
Philip Stiff
st...@pangea.ca
Wally Wilkins
John LeBlanc
Philip_Stiff%st...@pangea.ca%Inte...@csgi.com (Philip Stiff) wrote:
>I am having a problem launching my "Estes" Mean Machine rocket. The
>rocket is so big that I can't get it to stand upright on the launch pad.
> The rod on the launch pad is too flimsy and the rocket always tips over
>to at least a 45 degree angle. The only thing that the manual says to
>do is break off some wire from coat hangers and spike the pad into the
>ground. I've tried this and it doesn't seem to help at all. Can anyone
>here give me some advice on what I should do.
Try using a 4' length of 1/4" or 3/16" piano wire. You may need new
launch lugs on your model to fit one of these sizes. The standard 1/8"
rod is useless on the larger rockets.
--
John P. LeBlanc
President and Supreme Dictator, Toronto Aerospace Guild
Jim Kerns
Lo Tech (CHAD)
A longer rod stuck into a couple 2X4's laid in an X with short bits
under the ends of the upper 2X4 so it sits level will work.
A flower pot can be used as a blast deflector.
Or, a couple sand bags on the legs of the stand you have.
Mid Tech
Attach the rod and deflector to a saw horse - just drill a hole in the
top board. Don't have to squat down on the ground to hook up either.
Higher Tech ($)
Mount the rod and blast deflector on a heavy duty camera tripod.
Makes it a lot easier to set up and attach the clips - tip the head to
slide the rocket on. Easy to get to point the way you want to also.
I use one I bought at Target for 30 bucks or so for rockets up to about
a pound with no problems.
Worth the time, effort and money if you want to fly a lot.
There are some big buck comercial pads available also.
On 6/23/96 9:19AM, in message <-13766332...@csgi.com>, Philip
Stiff <Philip_Stiff%st...@pangea.ca%Inte...@csgi.com> wrote:
> I am having a problem launching my "Estes" Mean Machine rocket. The
> rocket is so big that I can't get it to stand upright on the launch
> pad.
> The rod on the launch pad is too flimsy and the rocket always tips
> over
> to at least a 45 degree angle. The only thing that the manual says
> to
> do is break off some wire from coat hangers and spike the pad into
> the
> ground. I've tried this and it doesn't seem to help at all. Can
> anyone
> here give me some advice on what I should do.
>
> Philip Stiff
> st...@pangea.ca
> --
> ^
> / \
> / \
> **********************************************************************
> **
> *
> * "Go...or Stay, but do it because it is what you wish to do!" *
> *
> *
> **********************************************************************
> **
> *
>
> / _ _ / \ \
> / _ / \ \
>
>
>
--
Jim K. ! Opinions: You want? I got!
j...@commonwealth.net ! No warranty expressed or implied
PaulDiming
In article <-13766332...@csgi.com>,
Philip_Stiff%st...@pangea.ca%Inte...@csgi.com (Philip Stiff) writes:
>
>I am having a problem launching my "Estes" Mean Machine rocket. The
>rocket is so big that I can't get it to stand upright on the launch pad.
> The rod on the launch pad is too flimsy and the rocket always tips over
>to at least a 45 degree angle. The only thing that the manual says to
>do is break off some wire from coat hangers and spike the pad into the
>ground. I've tried this and it doesn't seem to help at all. Can anyone
>here give me some advice on what I should do.
>
>
I have launched my Mean Machine using the Estes pad without any major
problem. However, I use the thicker rod 3/16 and the trick with the
clothes hanger wire. If you continue to have trouble, there are a number
of economical ways to build your own pad, or you can buy a better one from
a number of sources (at a higher cost).
Good luck!
Paul.
Fly Baby Fly!
Ray Anderson
Philip,
I stabilized my Mean Machine by putting bricks on my homemade launch pad.
It didn't work! She went up like a charm, didn't crimp, and then caught
a thermal under her chute. I can imagine some homeowner in the next
county seeing this 6' rocket on his roof.
Ray
Philip Stiff
In article <4rie5p$1b...@rs7.loc.gov>, 7242...@compuserve.com says...
I just wish that Estes would make it clear to people that the standard
launch pad will not work well with the Mean Machine. So far the only way I
can launch it is by a carefull balancing act. :)