Saturday, May 28, 2011

http://psipunk.com/nissan-nv2500-concept-wireless-workstation-is-both-futuristic-and-comfy/

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Monday, October 5, 2009

Making a Rocket Motor

In the following I will be describing the process in which any one can make their own Rocket Motors.
For starters you need to acquire the following materials (excluding tools)

  • Sorbitol, also known as Glucitol

o A sugar alcohol that the human body metabolises slowly

o Is used as an artificial sweetener

o Contains 11 kilojoules of energy per gram

  • Potassium Nitrate (KNO3)

o Oxidizing component

o Harmful to your health (Be careful not to inhale any of this)

o Used in fertilizer

  • Iron Oxide

o Used in ceramics and pigments in paint and die

o Red in colour

  • PVC piping and straight coupler( Ø ≤ 60mm)

o Each coupler makes 2 moulds

  • Baking paper


You fist need to mix the Sorbitol (35%) and the Potassium Nitrate (65%) together in power form. For every 100g you should also add a pinch of Iron Oxide (approximately 0.5g – 1.0g). This will increase the burn rate of the mixture. Once the three compounds have been mixed you should have a light pink powder. (You may need to sieve the mixture to remove any clumps that may have formed)

Making the moulds.
  • Cut the coupler in half.
  • Cut the tubing to the length you want your rocket motor. (It is advisable to make it no longer than 10cm as manufacturing and handling it can be tricky).
  • Cover the bottom of the tubing using the baking paper (Use the coupler to hold it in place).
  • Cut a rectangle of baking paper (Longer than the tubing and wider than the circumference).
  • Role the rectangle into a cylinder and slide it into the tubing. It should unravel and form up against the inside walls of the mould.
  • This makes one mould.

For the following you will need a hot plate with a non-stick pan/ surface as well as a non-stick spatula (silicon spatulas are always good)

  • Pre heat your surface to 120oC (250oF).
  • Pour your powder into the pan. You don’t need to do this all at once; you can pour it in batches.
  • Spread it round with your spatula. It will melt fast so pay attention. Don’t let it sit in one spot for too long.
  • Once all the powder has melted turn off the heat and decant the liquid into the pre made moulds.
  • Let them set for (30min - 60min)
  • Remove the coupler and slide the formed rocket motor out.


You can get Sorbitol from the local supermarket. Failing that you can use artificial sweetener although it is not as good

You can search online for the Potassium Nitrate it’s not that expensive $35-$40 for 1Kg. You can also get it in the local gardening centres.

Iron Oxide can be found at any big hardware store. It is sometimes called cement oxide.


When i get the time / could be bothered to test everything / have enough money, I will have guides to making rocket nozzles, Rocket housings, ignition systems, ect...
I also hope to create some video tutorials some by Christmas

If you have any questions / would like to donate money feel free to ask in the comments.

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