Included in Kit

Asgard Launch Pad Stand

• Printed with heat resistant PETG.
• All screw holes reinforced with high infills.
• Hefty and durable.
• NOTE: Color of printed part may vary.

Asgard Launch Pad Arms

• Printed with heat resistant PETG.
• Printed with increased infill and 4-layer rims for extra durability.
• NOTE: Color of printed part may vary.

Decorative Rocket Exhaust

• Printed in clear blue resin.

NICEYRIG Camera Cheese Mounting Plate

This provides a solid metal base and multiple standard 1/4″-20 camera mounting holes to attach your tripod and accessories. You can get it at Amazon.

Ryobi A10KC31 Drill Chuck

• This is another item that is a little tricky to source. Amazon may have some, but it seems a little expensive. eBay usually has them for around $16. Can also check with Home Depot.

1/2″-20 x 1″ Grade 8 UNF Hex Head Screw

• Used to securely attach the drill chuck to the plate.
• This may be the hardest item to obtain!
• Basically, you want a 1/2″-20 screw with 1″ length threads.
• The only place that I could find it was on Amazon (but it comes in pack of TWENTY-FIVE!). Leave a comment if you found a better source!

M5 Screws, Washers, and Nuts

• M5 30mm screw and M5 split lock washer and M5 washer and M5 hex nut can be obtained from the hardware store.

Items Needed (not included):

(PLEASE NOTE: the following links are provided for your convenience. I have not tried or tested all these sources. Make sure you purchase from a place where you can easily return or exchange the parts if needed. Also note that some of these links are “affiliate link” which helps to support this growing “garage business”.

Launch Rods

The common sizes are 1/8″, 3/16″, and 1/4″ rods. The ones Estes makes can be “broken down” and they fit into my portable took box that I bring to the field, which is handy.

• Estes 1/8″ Launch Rod
• Estes 3/16″ Maxi Rod
• Estes 1/4″ Laumch Rod (see below) 

10.5″ Blast Deflector Plate

• The easiest way to get both the 10.5″ Blast Plate and 1/4″ Launch Rod is probably to purchase the Estes Porta-Pad E Launch Pad.
• You can also purchase a 10.5″ circle made from 10 gauge steel from Steel Supply LP. If you go this route, you will have to drill your own center hole. But you get a MUCH sturdier (and heavier) blast plate.
• Do NOT buy the “002241 – Blast Deflector Plate” that is normally sold by Estes. At only 5″ in diameter, it is obviously too small.

Camera Tripod and Fluid Head

Obviously, you can use whatever tripod and tripod head that has a standard 1/4″-20 mount for the launch pad. But I would not recommend a flimsy or cheaply made tripod. For safety, make sure you choose one that is sufficiently heavy and sturdy (preferably with hefty aluminum legs). Unfortunately (for rocketeers), solid aluminum tripods are getting harder to find. Most photography tripods nowadays are made from plastic, thin aluminum, or carbon fiber to make them lighter.

If you want to copy my gear, here’s my setup:

• I used my ancient Manfrotto 3130 Tripod head which is no longer manufactured (this may work as replacement). A “fluid head” will make adjusting the launch pad much smoother and easier. No need to “break the bank” on a super expensive fluid head for launching model rockets. I have a better fluid head that I swap on and off for photography.
• I also used my old Manfrotto 3021 Aluminum Tripod (available on eBay used).This thing must be 18 years old but it still works GREAT!  It’s nice and heavy which makes a GREAT base for a launch pad!