The copperhead igniters included with some Aerotech reload and single use rocket motors require special clips to use. OK, you can also use masking tape but this is not always practical. One such example is the 24mm reloads which have short igniter leads. If you have a motor mount which is recessed inside the airframe, using masking tape is a real pain.

The recessed motor issue pops up often with TLP kits. To get around this, I bought the special clip. It works fine. However, I tend to forget to return to the pad to collect it after flight.

Losing the clips left me thinking of a better way to handle the Aerotech copperhead igniters. I needed something cheap and disposable. Durability was no real concern.

Make your own copperhead clip

To make the clip, you'll need the parts and materials listed below. As these are quick and easy to make, I'd suggest making a few at once. If you do lose one, you'll have a replacement handy. Or, give them to fellow rocketeers at club launches.

- clothespin
- 7-10" of speaker wire
- masking tape
- solder (optional)

Some wire cutters and stripper will come in handy while making this clip. However, they are not required, a sharp knife or similar will work fine to cut and strip the wire. If you choose to do the optional soldering, you'll obviously also need a soldering iron.

Start by separating the speaker wire leads. Next, strip about 2-3" from each lead. Put some masking tape on the end of the clothespin, to keep it open. This will make the next step much easier.

Wrap the exposed/stripped pieces of the wires around the clothespin, as shown in the picture on the right. While we're not building this clip to be strong or durable, I would suggest putting a drop or two of solder on the exposed wire ends at this point. You don't exactly want the wire to slip or fall off the clothespin on the way to the pads.

Now, some masking tape is wrapped around the clothespin. This is done simply to keep the wires in place. Duct tape would work just as well, if not better. As the masking tape is hard to see in the picture, a red "X" was placed wherever tape was wrapped. Start by wrapping the X areas on the left. Remove the (blue) masking tape you had on the back of the clothespin, to keep it open. Now, apply tape on the two remaining indicated areas.

Strip the ends of the wire leads that stick out the back of the clothespin. This is where the igniter clips will be hooked up when you put your model rocket on the pad. I put a drop or two of solder on the stripped wire, this is optional.

To use the clip, simply clamp the clothespin onto the copperhead igniter lead. Next, hook up the aligator clips to the exposed wire ends at the back of the clothespin.

As indicated earlier, this project was intended to be cheap and disposable. If you wanted something more durable, you could still use the same concept but build it stronger. For example, you could epoxy the wire leads to the clothespin instead of using tape.