http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-770370787085311826&ei=XgM-S6SOK5OerALryoTDDQ
Quite unfortunate that they used the engines as a source of black powder but
it really wasn't about rocketry.
I can foresee something like this making it harder for kids to get the
motors.
Tom
No law prevents illegal acts. This is clearly a violation of federal,
and I would bet their state and local laws. Even Mythbusters has cut
open modek rocket engines to get the black powder. It's a darned
stupid thing to do, but people (young and old) have been doing it
since black powder was invented. I bet even a young George Washington
pinched a few ounces of his dad's rifle powder to make crackers.
I will also note that this is not exactly news. The clip was posted 3 years
ago, and we haven't seen any (new) restrictions on the purchase of motors in
the last 3 years. Make of that what you will.
>and I would bet their state and local laws. Even Mythbusters has cut
>open modek rocket engines to get the black powder. It's a darned
>stupid thing to do, but people (young and old) have been doing it
Why would the Mythbusters need to cut open black powder motors to get
black powder? Can't they just buy a can of black powder?
I bought some black powder last year with no issues and nothing special
required.
>> Why would the Mythbusters need to cut open black powder motors to get
>> black powder? Can't they just buy a can of black powder?
>>
>> I bought some black powder last year with no issues and nothing special
>> required.
>They try to do the "myth" as it is described. It was probably described that
>way.
If I remember correctly they were recreating a myth from hundreds of years
ago.
They might have been doing it to make the show more interesting for TV.
there is a "report problem" link on there to use
The obscenely high price of model rocket motors already makes it
difficult for kids (as well as adults) to get motors. The more likely
scenario is that kids buy low cost fireworks and try making rocket
motors from them. Of course fireworks are not available in most
states, and kids do not always respect laws. So, the scenario could
be kids shop lifting model rocket motors and abusing them to make
fireworks. Even Andy spoke in "60 minutes" in favor or fireworks,
even for kids. Legalizing Fireworks would seem to be a win-win
situation, except for a few accidents, and the nuisance of mistaking
crackers for drive by shooters, etc.
Three bucks each for a D motor is not that bad, is it?
Tom
Estes D12 motors are now $15.29 list price. Plus tax and shipping.
That's list for a 3-pack. The same site (Discount Hobbies) where I
found that actually sells them for $10.70 for the 3-pack.
--
As we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should
be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours;
and this we should do freely and generously. (Benjamin Franklin)
Tom
Yep, these kids got away with it.
However, if this continues, some day soon
we will open the morning paper and see a
scare headline like,
"6 kids killed by model rocket bomb."
Then try to buy a model rocket engine!
A VERY GOOD IDEA!