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... T' original concept for this pad was created in 3D Max. I have yet t' match t' pretty colors that were on t' original design... 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, and swivel easily. Ahoy! This be accomplished as you see, t' swivel sits atop t' base, arrr, matey, and is secured by a 1/4" bolt. It be formed from 1" square steel tube, me bucko, me hearties, approx. Well, blow me down! Blimey! 16 gauge. Blimey! Loosenin' the bolt allows it t' turn freely 360 degrees, and with a quick turn, me hearties, attaches it firmly t' t' solid steel rod(3/4") on t' base. Ahoy! 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. Both steel, me bucko, and hard rubber washers were set betwixt t' 1" square tubes, so as t' allow them t' have movement, but also allow them t' be tightened, shiver me timbers, 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. Avast, me proud beauty! This turned out t' be easier than I suspected, with t' use o' a couple o' heavy duty springs, and a lock collar around t' Steel rod on t' base. Ya scallywag! Begad! 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, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, approx. Well, blow me down! 10 gauge, t' base is 24" wide. Begad! A 3/4" steel rod be welded t' t' bottom leg, me bucko, and passed through a hole in t' upper leg. Avast! T' upper leg is attached via t' springs and lock collar. Avast, me proud beauty! I don't expect it t' fall apart in t' near future.

T' lock collar serves two purposes, arrr, t' lock t' legs together, 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, t' base is very solid, shiver me timbers, and stable. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! 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, matey, I feel better safe than sorry. If I can get away with it, most o' me rockets are now built with at a 1/4" Launch lugs. Blimey! This pad will accommodate rod sizes from 1/8" t' 1/2", and I have launched small rockets like this Flyin' Jenny(on an A), t' what is currently me largest, shiver me timbers, a LOC IV (on a G75), shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, without any issues at all.

Launch angles are very easy t' change, as well as very easy t' secure, as a result o' usin' both metal, shiver me timbers, matey, 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. Blimey! Due t' t' height o' t' pad, matey, I also have no fear o' Jake or myself losin' an eye t' t' rod either. Arrr! Begad! T' pad stands 21 1/2" without a rod, me hearties, and t' shortest rod I currently have is 48" long, with 3 inches o' rod lost t' t' pad t' secure it, me hearties, t' top o' a 4' rod is still well over 5 feet off t' ground, arrr, 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. Blimey! Ahoy! 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