Press’n Seal Cling Wrap Tube Model Rocket

This is a great project for STEM/STEAM learning that recycles the common Press’n Seal Cling Film tube to create a model rocket. I would first confirm that your tube has an external diameter of around 27.5mm and an internal diameter of around 26mm to make sure that the parts will fit. This rocket will fit standard Estes rocket engines A, B, C - I recommend doing a test flight with an A engine, but the C6-5 seems to be a perfect height for most launches.

Printing instructions: These models should be printed upright and the nose cone and the engine mount may need supports. I printed mine in Prusa ASA due to needing impact strength and high heat deflection (for the engine mount), but I've read on Reddit that PLA and PETG may work but you should leave the rocket engine in the mount after launch to let the plastic resolidify. Rocket engines obviously get very hot, so be warned that CATOs are a possibility for a plastic made engine mount. My ASA prints have held up very well to multiple launches, one after another, so I would recommend going that route if possible.

Assembly: Putting together the rocket is relatively straight forward. Start by putting E6000 glue on the parts of the engine mount that will interface with the inside of the tube. The baffles are there to catch the extra glue slop as you push the mount further into the tube. You don't need that much glue. After you put the glue on the engine mount, slowly push and twist the mount into the tube and try to catch the extra glue in the baffles until it seats against the bottom of the tube. Immediately after that, add glue to the exterior of the tube where the fins will sit. You don't need a ton of glue for this step and the fins should seat on top of the lip of the engine mount as well. Slide the fins down the tube slowly in the upright orientation and they should come to a rest at the bottom of the tube. For the nose cone, I usually tie nylon marking string to the nose cone hole and then hot glue the other end as far down into the tube as possible. I usually make a loop in the string, rest it on a small piece of paper, put hot glue on that piece of paper, then guide the paper and the loop down the tube with a pencil as far as I can, then pushing it up against the side. After a 24 hour drying period with the E6000 glue, you have yourself a functional model rocket! I like spray painting mine bright colors to make them easier to see in the air and find on the ground.

Have fun and let me know if you have any ideas on how to make this better!