moondogman Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Hello all I did a quick search and found out a bunch about sticks and how to make them, but not where I can buy them. I dont have room for a table saw or i would make my own. anyone got some links for getting sticks at a reasonable price?? The hobby store in town is way over the top. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algenco Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Google dowel rods Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagabu Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 While they are not pretty and you have to sort them, bamboo is a great alternative. http://www.gemplers.com/product/WEB152462/First-cut-Bamboo-Stakes#TAB-TECH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nater Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 I bought a bundle of 0.25" x 36" square dowels at Meijer for about 20 cents a piece. I don't have a table saw either, so they will have to do until I get one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baran420 Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 Go to a hardware/furnishings shop and keep an eye out for those window blinds made up of hundreds of thin, straight pieces of cane. They are the ones that can be rolled up by pulling a string. Sometimes they make table place mats out of them. They are held together by thin string. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagabu Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 Yes, they work very well for 4oz and 8oz rockets, the bamboo fencing will work for rockets up to 3# if two sticks are used (one on each side) due to the flexibility of the bamboo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMax Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 For small rockets I just use shishkabob sticks. They are straight bamboo and go with the grain. I get 200 for a couple bucks at the grocery store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagabu Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 The 1/2 rockets get squirrely on the shishkabob sticks so I use the X6 rule on them, 3" long motor uses a 18" stick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmandotcom Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 what i have always done is tape a straw around them and drop the over a welding rod stuck firmly into a piece of wood, that way, when it reaches apogee and comes down, it cant stick int anything Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumbles Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 That unfortunately does nothing to stabilize the flight. I'd be surprised if most pyro rockets would even fly using a method as you've described. I have GREAT doubts if you've ever been able to make this work as well. It's often the motor that penetrates the ground, not the stick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagabu Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 Interestingly enough, I taped an ESTES rocket (A) to a long straw when I was a kid, once lit, the straw immediately melted and the motor became a "chaser" instead. All ended well with only a small bruise on my sisters back from the motor smacking her while she was running away I stand still now, no running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nater Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 ^^ I had a similar experience trying to make a rocket powered racecar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moondogman Posted March 20, 2011 Author Share Posted March 20, 2011 baran420 Ive got one of those blinds in the attic woohoo. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmandotcom Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 That unfortunately does nothing to stabilize the flight. I'd be surprised if most pyro rockets would even fly using a method as you've described. I have GREAT doubts if you've ever been able to make this work as well. It's often the motor that penetrates the ground, not the stick. actually, it works fine, if you check no6's thread about racks, you will find many a report of lawn darting rockets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackthumb Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 I make my own stix from cedar...straight grain and very light. Make them in 3/16and 1/4" square. Larger rockets are 1/4 x 3/8. Let me know a fair price per 50 or 100 and size you need,that meets your budget and I can squeeze a few out for you all......any length. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moondogman Posted March 20, 2011 Author Share Posted March 20, 2011 I ordered some online from ideal true value http://www.idealtruevalue.com/servlet/the-70886/Detail Thanks for the thought old fart. I didnt think of dowels being square. and im sure there is a shade up in the attic .....somewhere.... What I have been using the past week or so is horse weed sticks out of the field out back. They are light sturdy enough and the price is the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumbles Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 actually, it works fine, if you check no6's thread about racks, you will find many a report of lawn darting rockets Well, I am still calling BS. Sorry, you do not have the clout to make me take you at your word just yet. I guess I'll believe it when I see it. With the lawn darting rockets, it's still the motor tube not the stick that penetrates. Without a stick though they may not fall nose down. Not that it matters if the rockets never fly up in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagabu Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 I make my own stix from cedar...straight grain and very light. Make them in 3/16and 1/4" square. Larger rockets are 1/4 x 3/8. Let me know a fair price per 50 or 100 and size you need,that meets your budget and I can squeeze a few out for you all......any length. I will take 500-3/8" if you are selling them. I need them to be 5' long and I am willing to pay $.15 each. Lets haggle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagabu Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 I ordered some online from ideal true value http://www.idealtrue...he-70886/Detail Thanks for the thought old fart. I didnt think of dowels being square. and im sure there is a shade up in the attic .....somewhere.... What I have been using the past week or so is horse weed sticks out of the field out back. They are light sturdy enough and the price is the best. Looks like a good price for a commercial product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagabu Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 (edited) Well, I am still calling BS. Sorry, you do not have the clout to make me take you at your word just yet. I guess I'll believe it when I see it. With the lawn darting rockets, it's still the motor tube not the stick that penetrates. Without a stick though they may not fall nose down. Not that it matters if the rockets never fly up in the first place. I have a big old Pixi Stix straw .40" and a long clear straw that I will strap 1/2" BP motors too and take video of today (if the rain holds off). Lets see what they do?! Well... I hate to say it but the straws worked. They did end up burning off after about 3 seconds and the big straw didn't do as well as the little straw but still, they worked. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWVoTYfKruo&feature=youtube_gdata Edited March 20, 2011 by dagabu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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