KidflaSh Spring Pad
by Chris Kiekens

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

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

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.

This pad may look t' be overkill for a model rocket, me hearties, but after several CATOs with Estes D engines, I feel better safe than sorry. Begad! 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), me hearties, t' what is currently me largest, ya bilge rat, a LOC IV (on a G75), me bucko, without any issues at all.

Launch angles are very easy t' change, arrr, 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. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Blimey! Due t' t' height o' t' pad, I also have no fear o' Jake or myself losin' an eye t' t' rod either. Begad! Blimey! T' pad stands 21 1/2" without a rod, and t' shortest rod I currently have is 48" long, ya bilge rat, 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. Aye aye! 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