Scratch - KidflaSh Spring Pad {Scratch}

Descon KidflaSh Spring Pad

Scratch - KidflaSh Spring Pad {Scratch}

Contributed by Chris Kiekens

Manufacturer:

KidflaSh Spring Pad
by Chris Kiekens

Concept

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... Arrr! T' original concept for this pad be created in 3D Max. I have yet t' match t' pretty colors that were on t' original design... Arrr! Avast! oh well.

swivel

I definitely wanted a pad that had t' basic functionality o' t' Estes pad, as in it needed t' be able t' angle, me bucko, and swivel easily. Well, blow me down! This was accomplished as you see, ya bilge rat, matey, me hearties, t' swivel sits atop t' base, ya bilge rat, and is secured by a 1/4" bolt. It be formed from 1" square steel tube, approx. Arrr! Ya scallywag! 16 gauge. Ya scallywag! Loosenin' the bolt allows it t' turn freely 360 degrees, arrr, me hearties, and with a quick turn, attaches it firmly t' t' solid steel rod(3/4") on t' base. Well, blow me down! Holes were drilled on the corners o' t' square tube, arrr, and nuts welded on t' holes t' allow t' rod t' be captured on t' opposite angle t' hold it securely. Blimey! Aye aye! Both steel, matey, and hard rubber washers were set betwixt t' 1" square tubes, so as t' allow them t' have movement, ya bilge rat, but also allow them t' be tightened, me hearties, and movement stopped easily.

spring

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, with t' use o' a couple o' heavy duty springs, and a lock collar around t' Steel rod on t' base. Arrr! Ahoy! 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.

folded

T' legs were formed from square steel tube, me bucko, approx. Aye aye! 10 gauge, t' base is 24" wide. Blimey! A 3/4" steel rod was welded t' t' bottom leg, matey, and passed through a hole in t' upper leg. T' upper leg is attached via t' springs and lock collar. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! I don't expect it t' fall apart in t' near future. Ahoy! Ahoy!

foldedwswivel

T' lock collar serves two purposes, ya bilge rat, arrr, t' lock t' legs together, ya bilge rat, as well as provide a stop for t' swivel rod holder.

open

When t' base is folded open, and t' sprin' engages t' legs, ya bilge rat, t' base is very solid, shiver me timbers, and stable. It is 14" high without t' swivel attached.

jenny

This pad may look t' be overkill for a model rocket, me bucko, me hearties, but after several CATOs with Estes D engines, me hearties, I feel better safe than sorry. Aye aye! 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", ya bilge rat, and I have launched small rockets like this Flyin' Jenny(on an A), t' what is currently me largest, a LOC IV (on a G75), without any issues at all.

jennycloser

Launch angles are very easy t' change, as well as very easy t' secure, as a result o' usin' both metal, shiver me timbers, and hard rubber washers betwixt t' 1" steel tubes used t' create t' swivel.

jakelociv

I may lose more rockets t' Jake than t' "Rocket gods", shiver me timbers, but I have no fear o' him wreckin' this pad. Ya scallywag! Begad! Due t' t' height o' t' pad, arrr, me hearties, I also have no fear o' Jake or myself losin' an eye t' t' rod either. Aye aye! Begad! T' pad stands 21 1/2" without a rod, and t' shortest rod I currently have is 48" long, with 3 inches o' rod lost t' t' pad t' secure it, matey, t' top o' a 4' rod is still well over 5 feet off t' ground, me bucko, well above imminent eye damage.

jakesit