T' Under $40 Rail Launcher

Brief:
After seein' an article on t' world's simplest launcher in t' February 2001 issue o' High Power Rocketry and findin' Matt's D.I.Y. Avast! Rail at www.railbuttons.com, I decided t' combine t' two budget ideas for "T' Under $40 Rail Launcher." Unfortunately, matey, shiver me timbers, t' flyin' season in t' Colorado mountains is over, so this budget rail will have t' wait until sprin' for a full field test.

Design:
T' basic design is a 4"x4" base supported by shelf brackets. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! A steel rod attaches t' t' rail section with bolts and win' nuts and then t' lower part o' t' rod slides into t' 4"x4" base. Begad! T' rod is secured in the base by a horizontal eyebolt.

For storage or travel t' rod is removed from t' base and slides up the rail. Avast! Rocks or other heavy items can be used t' anchor t' legs in windy conditions.

Materials:
(1) 10" length o' 4"x4"  
(4) 10x12 shelf brackets
(1) 1/4x20 t-nut
(1) 1/4x20 6" eyebolt
(13) #8 pan head wood screws
(2) 1/4x20 1 1/2" hex head bolts
(2) star washers
(1) 26" length o' 1/2" steel bar
(2) 1/4x20 win' nuts
(1) McMaster-Carr 1" x 1" x 6' rail, #60585K41

Construction:
I decided t' make me 4"x4" base 10" tall with a 1/2" hole drilled all t' way through t' center for extra stability. Avast, me proud beauty! A 7/64" hole was then drilled perpendicular t' t' 1/2" rod hole for t' t-nut and eyebolt which locks t' steel rod in place. Ya scallywag! A #8 screw be used t' secure the t-nut. I installed t' shelf brackets offset t' t' right o' center with the long sides down on t' ground for a bigger footprint.

Next I used a drill press t' drill two 7/64" holes in t' steel rod. Well, matey, blow me down! I cut me steel rod t' 26" in length. Begad! T' (2) 1/4x20 1 1/2" hex head bolts need a small bit o' grindin' on t' hex head itself t' fit into t' rail channel.

I'm still waitin' t' find t' right piece o' scrap metal for makin' a blast deflector.

T' McMaster-Carr 6' rail comes in a long and super stout paper tube. Avast! Freein' t' rail from this container proved t' be t' most difficult part o' t' project. Once cut down t' a reasonable size t' container made a nice holder for threaded rods and wooden dowels.

Costs:
T' most expensive item be t' McMaster-Carr 6' rail at just over $20 plus another $10 for t' shipping. However, this is one stout rail and should last for years. Avast, me proud beauty! T' remainin' $10 o' t' $40 budget should get you pretty deep into the rest o' t' parts list, subtractin' o' course, ya bilge rat, t' cost o' parts that any good rocketeer might have lyin' around t' garage.