Adjustable Launch Angle Mounting Head with sliding "shoe" attached to Model Rocket Launch Pad

DESCRIPTION: 

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This is a three (3) piece system consisting of a shoe mount to accept  a 2-piece adjustable pivot to change launch angle for wind correction. It is similar to a hinge and is inspired by the Dobson design of Alt Az telescope mount. The center of rotation of the top piece is off to one side. 

GENERAL CONCEPT: The top and bottom 2 sections are similar in design and construction. The top piece has a center hole large enough to mount an adjustable keyless drill chuck. The drill chuck is a key element that allows different diameters of launch rods to be quickly inserted\removed\and replaced with a different size rod. Many are available and can be bought from hardware stores or equivalent. You will also need some mounting hardware such as washers, bolts or wingnuts nuts to secure the printed pieces together. The shoe mount is fixed to the PVC tripod or camera tripod

PRINTING: Printed with PLA at 0.3 mm or draft mode, used 15% infill no specific filament color is provided. Settings can be varied to suit your needs, preferences, or experience level. 

PRINTER: I used a PRUSA MK3S+

BUILD NOTES: 

• MAKERS must ADD or provide nuts, washers, and bolts and any other hardware to fit to your launch pad.
• MAKERS must provide or ADD a launch pad for this mount to be attached to. Many plans for PVC launch pads are on the internet. Alternate it can be attached to a camera tripod and\or sawhorse style launcher.  
• MAKERS must provide the adjustable Keyless Drill Chuck that I recommended. This allows different diameter Launch rods to be be removed or swapped out. But you can certainly use your preference to hold or contain the launch rod. 
• MAKERS must provide a metal blast deflector (see photo) or equivalent for NAR Safety Code.
• MAKERS must provide the launch rod per the NAR Model Rocket Safety Code for guidance

RESOURCES: See www.nar.org for safety code, designs for simple launch pads, competition tips, and information about model rockets. A number of plans using PVC are available on the internet for Model Rocket Launch pads they are portable and relatively inexpensive to make.

PHOTOS: Basic shoe mount on PVC tripod, 2 piece altitude mount with keyless drill Chuck, Estes Alpha shown on the finished setup with metal blast deflector

Finally have fun and be safe!