How

to Make A DIY Water Bottle Rocket

Preparation time: Approximately 20 min

Overview:

In this instruction guide you will create a fully functioning rocket and launch pad
from easy to obtain household items. This instruction set will guide you through the
necessary steps to create a nozzle from a bottle cap and use a water bottle as a fuel
tank. The guide will also show you how to easily transform a simple toilet paper
tube into a rocket launch pad. The construction of the rocket and launch pad can be
conducted indoors however the fueling procedures and launch should be conducted
outdoors.

This guide is intended for amateur hobbyists who are interested rocketry and have
a basic understanding of rocket principals. To complete this project users need to
have basic measuring and cutting skills. You should also be competent with
incendiary devices such as a lighter or matches.

Safety Information:

If this project is being conducted by children strict adult supervision is required.
This project requires the use of a knife and scissors and extreme care should be
taken during all steps involving the use of such objects. The rocket is propelled by
isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, a highly flammable liquid. Rubbing alcohol should be
stored away from any source of open flames. It is also important to stand clear of the
rocket during launch to avoid bodily injury.

Phase One: Preparation

1. Gather all of the required materials & tools listed below

Materials & Tools Required:

Water bottle (any size)

Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing
alcohol)
Toilet paper tube
Lighter
Scissors
Knife
Pencil
Safety goggles

Phase Two: Constructing the Rocket

For this phase you will need the following materials & tools:

Water bottle
Water bottle cap
Knife
Pencil

Nozzle Construction:
1. Use a pencil and mark the center
point of the cap.

2. Use the knife to then cut a

circular hole in the cap at the
center point. The hole should be
approximately in diameter.

Warning: Use extreme caution when
cutting nozzle hole. Keep fingers away
from knife blade.

NOTE: Depending on the thickness of the

bottle cap it might be easier to push
through the cap with a sharp pencil.

3. Your nozzle should look

something like this.

4. Attach the nozzle to the water
bottle (fuel tank).

5. Congratulations! You have

finished Phase Two.

Phase Three: Launch Pad Construction

For this phase you will need the following materials & tools:
Toilet paper tube
Fully constructed rocket
Scissors
Pencil

Stand Construction:

1. Insert rocket (nozzle end down)

into the toilet paper tube

2. Use the pencil to mark the

position of the nozzle on the side
of the tube.

3. The line should be approximately

1 from the top of the tube.

NOTE: The exact position on the tube
will vary based on the type of bottle
used. The 1 from the top of the tube is a
general rule of thumb.

4. Use the line as a guide and cut
(with scissors) a square whole
approximately 1 cm2.

Warning: Use extreme caution when
cutting the square hole. Keep fingers
away from scissor blades.

5. The hole should look something

like this.

6. Insert the rocket back into the
tube and check to make sure the
nozzle hole lines up with the
launcher hole.

NOTE: If the holes do not a line enlarge
the hole until both holes are correctly
aligned.

7. Congratulations! You have

finished Phase Three.

Phase Four: Fueling Your Rocket

Warning: This phase involves very flammable materials. You should conduct all
fueling operations outdoors.

Caution: Even though the pictures depict the fueling process occurring indoors.
Under no circumstances should you fuel your rocket indoors.

For this phase you will need the following materials & tools:
Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
Fully constructed rocket (nozzle and fuel tanks)


Fueling the Fuel Tank:
1. With nozzle fill the fuel tank
(water bottle) with isopropyl
alcohol until it is approximately
full.

Warning: Isopropyl alcohol is very
flammable. Keep the storage container
closed when not in use and away from
open flames.

2. The fuel tank should look

something like this when filled.
The fuel
level is
about here

3. Reattach the nozzle and cover

hole with finger.

4. Shake the rocket violently for

approximately 30 seconds.

5. Remove nozzle and pour
remaining alcohol back into
container.

6. Shake the bottle to remove excess

alcohol droplets.

NOTE: This also works to add extra
oxygen to the fuel tank.

7. Reattach the nozzle

8. Congratulations you have just

finished Phase Four.

Phase Five: Launching your rocket

Warning: This phase involves highly flammable materials and fast moving
projectiles. Conduct this phase outside.


For this phase you will need the following materials & tools:
Fully fueled rocket
Lighter
Launch pad
Bucket of water

1. Place you launch pad on flat non-
flammable surface.

2. Insert fully fueled rocket into

launch pad (nozzle side down).

Warning: The rocket is filled with a
highly flammable vapor. Keep away from
open flame.

3. Make sure area is clear of
bystanders.

NOTE: It is recommended that all
spectators stand approximately 20 from
launch site


4. Insert lighter into launch pad hole
and light for launch.

Warning: This step involves an open
flame near highly flammable vapor. Keep
hands away from end of launch tube to
avoid burns.

Warning: The rocket will shoot upwards
with high velocity. Under no
circumstances should you look directly

over rocket during launch.

Caution: The launch pad is not very
flame resistant. Keep a bucket of water
to extinguish any accidental launch pad
fires.

5. Congratulations you have

successfully launched your
rocket.

Trouble Shooting:

How do I improve my rockets flight path?

To improve your rockets flight path you can add fins to the fuel tank. This will
greatly improve your rockets trajectory.

How can I fire proof my launch pad?

You can fireproof your launch pad by adding a layer of aluminum foil to the inside of
the paper towel tube. This will prevent accidental ignition of the launch pad.

My rocket doesnt fly very far.

You can improve your rockets performance by adjusting the diameter of the nozzle.
It will take some adjusting to get the rocket to performance just right.