Well, the use of fuse ignition in the Build a $5 Heli-Rocket article from MAKE Volume 25 (also on Make: Projects), has caused quite a dust-up in the model rocket community. Use of fuses (as opposed to an electronic ignition system) is a no-no under NAR rules. So, don’t use fuses if you want to be safe and rules-abiding. Building a simple ignition system is easy (a great beginner electronics/soldering project) and if you want to keep it all seriously DIY, you can even roll your own igniters. In this Make: Projects piece we ran during Maker Hobbies month, Stefan Jones shows you how to make your own model rocket igniters out of lengths of nichrome wire and hobby lacquer.
Make: Projects: Model Rocket Igniters
More:
Top 10: Model rocketry posts
Check out MAKE Volume 25:
MAKE Volume 25: Arduino Revolution
Give your gadgets a brain! Previously out of reach for the do-it-yourselfer, the tiny computers called microcontrollers are now so cheap and easy to use that anyone can make their stuff smart. With a microcontroller, your gadget can sense the environment, talk to the internet or other hardware, and make things happen in the real world by controlling motors, lights, or any electronic device.
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