Rocketry at its BestTechnology – Gault

Name ______Date ______

Use the following check-off list to make sure you are creating your rocket correctly.

  1. Make the body of the rocket with paper.
  2. Take a precut sheet of paper and roll it around a ½” PVC pipe.
  3. The length of your rocket body has to be between 5” and 17”.
  4. Be sure the body of the rocket can slide on and off the PVC pipe easily.
  5. Tape the entire edge of the paper except where the fins are located (fins don’t glue to the tape very well).
  6. Use markers to put your name and design on the barrel.
  1. Make the nose cone out of wood.
  2. Use the band saw to cut a 2 ½” piece of 5/8” wood dowel.
  3. Use the drill press to shape the nose.
  4. Insert the 2 ½” piece of wood dowel in the chuck of the drill press. Secure correctly.
  5. Use the wood rasp to shape the nose.
  6. Use a flat bastard to smooth the nose.
  7. Use 80 grit sandpaper to smooth the nose.
  8. Use 100 grit sandpaper to smooth the nose.
  1. Glue the nose to the body.
  2. Place the nose into the body.
  3. If the nose fits securely, jump to step c.
  4. Apply wood glue to the bottom inch of the nose cone.
  5. Insert this into the body at the desired depth.
  6. Allow to dry.
  7. If the nose fits loosely, you need to widen the base of the nose cone by wrapping it with paper to create a secure fit.
  8. Cut a strip of 1” regular paper.
  9. Wrap the paper around the bottom half of the nose cone.
  10. Insert this into the body to check for a firm fit.
  11. Remove the nose cone and paper.
  12. Apply wood glue to the bottom inch of the nose cone.
  13. Wrap the paper around the nose cone, being sure to completely glue each layer.
  14. Insert this into the body at the desired depth.
  1. Make the fins out of balsa wood.
  2. Determine if you are having 3 or 4 fins for your rocket.
  3. Draw the shape of one fin on paper without being wider than 3”.
  4. Copy this plan on another small pieces of paper to make a copy for each fin.
  5. Glue the paper to the balsa wood with Rubber Cement.
  6. Align your fin templets to make the best use of the wood. No waste please.
  7. Be sure the grain of the wood is correct.
  8. Use the scroll saw to cut the fins out.
  9. Be careful to travel slow and stay just outside the lines.
  10. Use 100 grit sandpaper to smooth the edges of your fins and to make all fins identical.
  1. Glue the fins to the barrel.
  2. Draw lines on the barrel where the fins should be located. This will help align your placement of fins.
  3. Apply a small amount of wood glue to the entire edge of the fin that attaches to the barrel.
  4. Place a fin at the desired location.
  5. Hold in position until the glue begins to dry.
  6. Allow to dry.
  7. Repeat steps b-e until all fins are attached.
  8. Place a bead of glue along the base of each fin on both sides to ensure strong bonding.
  1. Weigh the rocket.
  2. Write the weight in grams between two fins.
  1. Measure the length of the rocket.
  2. Write the length in inches between two fins.