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, shiver me timbers, I came t' t' conclusion that I needed somethin' bigger, stronger, heavier... Aye aye! Blimey! T' original concept for this pad be created in 3D Max. Aye aye! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I have yet t' match t' pretty colors that were on t' original design... Blimey! Blimey! 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, and swivel easily. This was accomplished as you see, t' swivel sits atop t' base, and is secured by a 1/4" bolt. It was formed from 1" square steel tube, me hearties, approx. Begad! Aye aye! 16 gauge. Avast! Ya scallywag! Loosenin' the bolt allows it t' turn freely 360 degrees, shiver me timbers, and with a quick turn, attaches it firmly t' t' solid steel rod(3/4") on t' base. Ya scallywag! Holes were drilled on the corners o' t' square tube, me hearties, and nuts welded on t' holes t' allow t' rod t' be captured on t' opposite angle t' hold it securely. Arrr! Begad! Both steel, me bucko, and hard rubber washers were set betwixt t' 1" square tubes, ya bilge rat, so as t' allow them t' have movement, me hearties, but also allow them t' be tightened, 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. Blimey! Blimey! This turned out t' be easier than I suspected, with t' use o' a couple o' heavy duty springs, ya bilge rat, 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.

folded

T' legs were formed from square steel tube, ya bilge rat, me bucko, approx. Ya scallywag! 10 gauge, t' base is 24" wide. Ahoy! A 3/4" steel rod was welded t' t' bottom leg, me bucko, and passed through a hole in t' upper leg. T' upper leg is attached via t' springs and lock collar. Ya scallywag! I don't expect it t' fall apart in t' near future. Avast, me proud beauty!

foldedwswivel

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

open

When t' base is folded open, me hearties, and t' sprin' engages t' legs, t' base is very solid, and stable. Blimey! It is 14" high without t' swivel attached.

jenny

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

jennycloser

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

jakesit