Customer Reviews

Amateur Rocket Motor Construction: A Complete Guide To The Construction Of Homemade Solid Fuel Rocket Motors

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"Amateur Rocket Motor Construction" by David Sleeter (Teleflite Corporation) is an extremely-detailed description of the construction of blackpowder-type rocket motors, from C8 (3/4" diameter, 3 1/4" long) to I65 (2" diameter, 14" long).

It's a big book, 500+ pages, beautiful photos, extremely clean and clear drawings (and lots of them). Information on almost every aspect of motor construction including: photos of ingredients (some neat photomicrographs); making tooling without a lathe; machining instructions for those who do have a lathe; where to get and how to extract potassium nitrate; types of paper that can be used for casings and what *not* to use; formulations that use sodium nitrate (sometimes easier to find locally than potassium nitrate); stepwise photos AND drawings of the motor-making procedure. All the tested motors given in the book are coreburners, but detailed information, propellant formula, drawings of tooling, caveats, and detailed construction procedure for endburning motors are provided for the individual who wishes to experiment in that direction.

One comment, not a criticism: For the individual who wishes to make large or numerous BP motors, I would strongly suggest Lloyd Sponenburg's book on milling for the amateur pyrotechician (Skylighter and others vend the book, it's about $20). A "sponenmill", properly constructed and loaded with sufficient milling media, will mill large amounts of propellant at a huge time savings.

"More education is almost always better than less." For the individual who is interested in stretching his/her mind, "Amateur Rocket Motor Construction" is a must-have. (I would *really* like to see one of those H137 motors taking off...)

Excellent, nicely done book which carefully balances the politics, the theory and the practical considerations of making your own rocket motors, from the simple but perishable Sugar based motors to huge high performnce black powder motors. Also includes the ORIGINAL 1983 formulas and methods for those who are currently forking out $135 a shot for THAT collectible volume. I think almost all will agree the revised approach and formulas look more relable and safe. Though they dry faster now, there is some time consuming, but necessary testing employed that assures a consistent product. It CLEARLY shows that the provable safety record in amateur rocket engine assembly AND amateur rocketry at all power levels is far better that has been admitted elesewhere, and the book explains why that is so. This is a safety record not approached by other products like gasoline, lawn mowers, lawn darts & air powered firearms.
For those wondering, the skills and hazards involved are not too different from those encountered by an amateur drag racer in his shop, or an amateur steam engine constructor. Access to a machine shop is helpful, but avoidable. Even if you never plan to actually build a motor, this book is still quite interesting and informative.

This is one of the most complete books written on the subject of rocket motor construction. It is easy to read and follow.
Everyone from the beginner to the experienced Model Rocket Motor enthusiast will find this book indispensable. Mr. Sleeter will guide you through every step required to get you off the ground.
This is a must have for any library.
Thanks David great work.

I have read this book, and the reread it, it is very informative, and educational as well, it tells you the do's and don't of motor building , how to make, and get, and improvise, your own motors. Step by step instructions and I only wish there were more books written about technical "Hobbies" like this one, since most Americans shy away for fear of local state and federal laws, when in fact you can make excellent Model Rocket Motors with sugar and a simple safe easily obtainable nitrate! Not a thing more to make it "blast off"


Even if you don't make the motors,its a FUN read and very educational for the novice chemistry and physic students.

I loved it!

I recommend it....

Anyone who examines this book must conclude that its author is a perfectionist. The photography alone is worth the price of this manual even if the purchaser has zero interest in the subject. I think Ansel Adams would have been impressed! If David Sleeter ever does a manual on gardening, I'd buy one.

To the few critics of this work I suggest they are either jealous or have a hidden agenda. Perhaps they should dig out their crayons and write their own book?

A thorough and well written book about constructing rocket motors on an amateur level. A lot of work has been put in to produce this book. The format, however, is too large, and makes the book a bit clumpsy to use and to bring somewhere you'd want to construct rocket motors (it is a instruction book and should be in a managable size).

This book is the ultimate reference text for any amateur rocketeer! I have used it extensively for my science fair project regarding sugar propellants, and have found that it contains the answer to any and every question I may have ever had... HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Un libro que se debe tener si uno quiere convertirse en un hobista de cohetes. Muy bien explicado y muy documentado, excelente libro.

The product came right on time and in good condition as advertised. Its was satisfactory. Cheers!

Old data , current chemicals an d type unavailable dated, but if your experianced or skilled I would read it