Some of you are probably asking why. Why bother with rockets and motors this small? Well one reason is because it enables you to launch almost anywhere. Your backyard, a local park, the school ball field. These rockets typically land within 30 or 40 feet from the launch pad. Another reason is because it is fun. Let's face it, you think rockets are fun or you wouldn't be  at my website.

OK, now you know  why I did this. Now let me tell you a little more about how my  motors work. I turn them from ¼" aluminum rod stock on the lathe. I am sure it could be done on a drill press with a little attention to detail.

As you can see the rod stock is cut 2" long. The nozzle is formed with a #2 center drill. If you aren't familiar with what that is, it looks like this.

The bulk of the rod stock is then drilled out with a 13/64" high speed drill bit. What ever you do if you decide to make one, DO NOT hold the stock in your hand when drilling. Use a vise or you will hurt yourself.

This system was developed to be used with sugar propellants.
I use a dextrose based fuel doped with an iron oxide catalyst.

.2" diameter fuel grains

 Delay grains for these motors were the first major challenge.
Many designs were tried before one was perfected.

Tiny delay grains

As you can see these are tiny. The fuel portion is only 1/8" in diameter. I make them using a rolling method I picked up from Stuart Leslie's website. If you haven't been there you are missing a gem. The fuel grain is wrapped with a piece of "Post It" paper of all things. It is cut to length so that when wrapped the diameter is just shy of the case ID. If you need to remove any of the paper to make it shorter, remember to take it off of the end without the glue. The glue is needed to seal the end wrap down.

Igniters were the second major challenge.
The tiny nozzle and grain core made this by far the hardest task to accomplish.

I use 30ga. wire wrap wire and Nichrome to make these. They must pass through a 1/16" nozzle without resistance if they are to work without compromising the motor.

So now that you are familiar with the component, I will show you how they all go together. If you are still interested, click below.

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