Model rocket engines are usually easy to ignite, but can you light one with a fuse instead of your standard Estes starter? This is a question many people have asked when they realize their starter has disappeared.
Can you light a model rocket engine with a fuse? Yes, you may be able to light your model rocket with a fuse, but it’s safer and more likely to work if you use the igniter intended for it.
Furthermore, just how would you do that? Have you ever even thought about how you normally light one of them? We’ll delve into how it could work and how it could not work, or things that may cause it to fail. Finally, we’ll wrap up with some safety tips to keep in mind.
Are you still using the standard Estes controllers for your launches?
We just built our own beautiful launch controllers that make launches SO much more fun, and we documented EVERY single step and item purchased and put it into a step-by-step course that teaches you how to do the exact same thing.
Click here to learn more about how you can build your own launch controllers!
Lighting a Model Rocket with a Fuse
Model rockets come with a starter/igniter, but what do you do when you lose it, or the factory messed up, and yours isn’t there? One way you could light it with a fuse, but do so at your own risk. Because model rocket engines are designed to be started a certain way, you risk the fuse not working.
You also risk your safety and the safety of everyone around you if you aren’t very careful.
This is an easy way to light a model rocket if you don’t have a starter handy or it won’t work with the traditional starter, but you have to use caution when dealing with it. We’ll cover how to be safe when using a fuse or just in igniting model rockets in general in the last section.
PLEASE NOTE WE DON’T RECOMMEND YOU DO LIGHT MODEL ROCKETS WITH FUSES. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER’S GUIDANCE FOR SAFETY OF USE.
How Do You Light a Model Rocket Engine with a Fuse?
First, you’ll need to find your fuse. There are several kinds of fuses, but you want something that will burn on the slower side of things, giving you time to get away from the rocket. You’ll also need something reasonably thin and probably want to stay cheap.
A good starting place is some basic model rocketry hobby fuse (link to Amazon). It’s inexpensive and you usually get several feet of it which can be cut up into various lengths as needed. There are different colors offered which coincide with how quickly they burn.
I would HIGHLY recommend that you cut off a few feet of test fuse first and ignite it to measure how many inches per second it burns. From there you can estimate how long of a fuse you want to use for igniting your rocket.
If you’ll be buying a fuse specifically to try this, just pick your standard safety fuse. Make sure and read the instructions to be able to cut a proper length, as most of these will tell you how many seconds a centimeter of fuse will give you to get away. This should be inexpensive, as you won’t need much.
Now, to actually use the fuse with the rocket, you’ll simply need to stick the fuse up into the rocket’s engine. You can cut it before or after, however, if you cut before, make sure to compensate for those few centimeters up inside the powder that may not burn.
Lighting a model rocket engine with a fuse is also commonly called the “old school” way to do it. If you’d like to watch someone actually do this, check out this father and son duo lighting up their rocket with a fuse.
Why Would You Light a Model Rocket Engine with a Fuse?
Experimentation
Are you bored of using the standard igniters? For some people who have been playing with model rockets for a while, it can get boring, and you may wonder about different ways to do it. Though this isn’t an ideal way to do it, it can be a fun experiment if you’ve never tried it.
This is also how a lot of model rockets used to be ignited. If you want to experience how your parents may have played with their model rockets or simply want to relive your own childhood, go ahead and try this! Just be safe when you do.
Learning
If you’re curious about how things work, including model rockets, this can be a great learning opportunity. There’s no better way to learn than firsthand. It can also be a great thing to teach your kids or grandkids!
Necessity
We’ve all lost igniters. When you can’t find your igniter, don’t give up hope. As long as you have some fuse, you can quickly rig it up to still blast off just the same. If you’re feeling really brave, this may also help you fire a rocket that doesn’t want to go off. Be especially safe if you’re doing this.
How to Be Safe When Lighting a Model Rocket Engine with a Fuse
Obviously, you need to take safety into consideration when lighting your model rocket engine, regardless of how you’re lighting it. But there are a few specific safety concerns you should consider before attempting to light a model rocket engine.
- There’s an open flame
- You’re unable to tell when the rocket engine will ignite
- An Estes engine isn’t usually designed to be lit with a traditional fuse
How are each of these a danger, and what can you do to protect yourself and anyone you have with you? We’ll delve into each one deeper, as well as how to handle the risk safely, in the following sections.
How to Be Safe with the Open Flame of Lighting a Model Rocket Engine with a Fuse
This is where we apply basic fire safety. Don’t allow children to light rockets by themselves or play with unattended lighter or matches.
Always be aware of your surroundings. If you’re in or near dry grass, be watchful over flying sparks that may cause a fire. Don’t wear loose clothing, which is easier to set on fire without realizing it.
How to Be Safe When You Can’t Tell when Your Model Rocket Engine Will Go Off
If you think you may have a dud, you have to be careful before approaching it. What you may assume is a dud may actually be a delayed fire, which could explode just as you reach it. This would cause severe damage to you or anyone near you.
If your model rocket hasn’t gone off after ignition, watch it for a couple extra minutes. It may simply take a bit longer than you expected, especially if you’re lighting with a fuse, which can have variable burn rates.
After the first couple of minutes, you can assume it’s either a dud or a very delayed start. You should wait a full ten minutes before approaching the rocket, though after the first couple, you don’t have to watch it so intensely.
Leave it there until you’re comfortable approaching it. You should be safe to pick it up and remove the engine, but be cautious. If you think at any point it may still be lit, you should carefully put it back down and back away.
General Safety Tips When Lighting a Model Rocket Engine
Whether you’re using a fuse to light it or some other way, be with a starter or another trick, you need to always be aware and safe when dealing with model rocket engines. They are technically explosives and can cause injury or worse if they aren’t handled correctly.
When you’re lighting a model rocket engine, make sure you’re aware of your surroundings. Don’t ever point a model rocket at another person or animal, as you never know when some may cause it to suddenly go off.
Keep open flames away from any explosives, especially your model rocket engine. If you aren’t using your model rocket engine, keep in a cool, dry place out of the way. Don’t drop them, as they do contain black powder, which can explode if it hits from a high enough distance.
In the case where the rocket goes off before you’re expecting it, you may be injured if you are too close. This is why after you’ve ignited a model rocket engine, you should quickly move away from it. You should also check the visible area for any airborne vessels or animals.
Build Your Own Launch Controller
Don’t forget! You can ditch the stock controllers and confidently build your own from scratch using our step-by-step instructions and exact materials list! We promise this will make your launch experience 10x better, and using our course License to Launch you can be 100% confident you’ll be able to finish this project and be super proud of what you’ve built! Here’s a sneak peek below.
