Rocket OS1

This is my first water rocket...

A PVC jig was made to facillitate fin alignment.  The bass wood fins were attached with PL Premium.

Another angle...

 

The final view of the busniess end of the OS1 with a "Tomy timer" in position (used for parachute release).  I am a *big* fan of the "Tomy timer" release method.  Once you learn how to use it, and dial it in, it's very reliable.  The nozzle is a modified PVC plumbing thingie... not sure what it's actually for.  A reducer I think.  I machined two slots for the launch stand hold-down mechanism, and opened the nozzle diameter on a lathe to match that of a PETE bottle (allowing the use of a standard bottle launch stand).  PVC parts can be glued into place in the tube with standard PVC pipe cement.  It sets immediately, and can be pressurized in only a couple hours.

Another view showing a small support for the "Tomy timer".  This support keeps the timer mechanism from binding when under tension.  A hole is drilled through the timer knob... where a small pin is inserted.  To this pin is tied a string that runs up to the top of the rocket where the 'chute deployment mechanism is.  As the timer knob "un-winds", the pin is allowed to slip free... releasing the 'chute.

This rocket would become much shorter over the next several days, as parachute deployment failures (the learning curve of the Tomy timer method), would crunch it
several times...  It only flew twice at it's full length.