KidflaSh Spring Pad
by Chris Kiekens

After destroyin' several Estes pads, shiver me timbers, and havin' several others fall over with bigger rockets, me hearties, I came t' t' conclusion that I needed somethin' bigger, stronger, shiver me timbers, heavier... T' original concept for this pad be created in 3D Max. Arrr! Blimey! I have yet t' match t' pretty colors that were on t' original design... Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! 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, shiver me timbers, me bucko, and swivel easily. Avast! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! This was accomplished as you see, shiver me timbers, t' swivel sits atop t' base, me hearties, and is secured by a 1/4" bolt. It be formed from 1" square steel tube, approx. Blimey! 16 gauge. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! Loosenin' the bolt allows it t' turn freely 360 degrees, and with a quick turn, attaches it firmly t' t' solid steel rod(3/4") on t' base. Ahoy! Holes were drilled on the corners o' t' square tube, ya bilge rat, and nuts welded on t' holes t' allow t' rod t' be captured on t' opposite angle t' hold it securely. Avast, me proud beauty! Both steel, shiver me timbers, 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, me hearties, 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. Arrr! This turned out t' be easier than I suspected, matey, shiver me timbers, with t' use o' a couple o' heavy duty springs, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, and a lock collar around t' Steel rod on t' base. 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, approx. 10 gauge, t' base is 24" wide. Avast! A 3/4" steel rod was welded t' t' bottom leg, and passed through a hole in t' upper leg. Avast, me proud beauty! T' upper leg is attached via t' springs and lock collar. Begad! I don't expect it t' fall apart in t' near future.

T' lock collar serves two purposes, shiver me timbers, arrr, t' lock t' legs together, arrr, as well as provide a stop for t' swivel rod holder.

When t' base is folded open, matey, and t' sprin' engages t' legs, matey, t' base is very solid, shiver me timbers, and stable. Ya scallywag! Avast! 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, I feel better safe than sorry. Ya scallywag! 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", shiver me timbers, and I have launched small rockets like this Flyin' Jenny(on an A), matey, me bucko, t' what is currently me largest, me bucko, a LOC IV (on a G75), me hearties, without any issues at all.

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