tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59793498214522609612024-02-19T03:34:04.562-05:00The Rocket N00bRocketry for beginners - by a beginnerThe Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07235411077821163466noreply@blogger.comBlogger322125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-55525773206831874292022-12-25T19:12:00.001-05:002022-12-25T19:12:37.389-05:00Happy Holidays from The N00bs<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxLG1NeWLtqvwBoPI4GI7LpJjbjIY_xnG0YOr9j5Swb5pHzgkvQ7-sAv322slWqmX66OlF5YUPj78GqQ9LrZuHp155IgVl43qZvH0tw-18vn79xTwctFye7Lv46HqcE8rxT2Kli_4x6kPXl-wiDpNpjIi6cOI4uOQdnxIKKsqrzyMOeqAwbRN4pwJ4A/s4000/IMG_8730%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxLG1NeWLtqvwBoPI4GI7LpJjbjIY_xnG0YOr9j5Swb5pHzgkvQ7-sAv322slWqmX66OlF5YUPj78GqQ9LrZuHp155IgVl43qZvH0tw-18vn79xTwctFye7Lv46HqcE8rxT2Kli_4x6kPXl-wiDpNpjIi6cOI4uOQdnxIKKsqrzyMOeqAwbRN4pwJ4A/w640-h640/IMG_8730%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> * * *</div><p></p><p><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></p><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Check out my Etsy shop</a> for model rocket and space themed tees, mugs, and more.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-10791296781117638212022-08-01T16:52:00.006-04:002022-08-01T16:52:48.716-04:00HE DID IT!!!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweTuqiVh2Z-pR2yM79820IL05vk4oF_T8McW3UBNJQzHN0jrF1Hjv1bp7-9rdfCDERtZPXInRKJ9EtZkQ1Sn6Iml4G6w1curXhVn34Z9Y-8YHUTnjZHjBJxnr9-3noBKjeg1upC_mYb14x9KuZ-iwXGd6Jmb0_-XmnFDqziNXYoSZTsg9x3Hox_O9VA/s3490/Scout%20Landing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3490" data-original-width="3490" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweTuqiVh2Z-pR2yM79820IL05vk4oF_T8McW3UBNJQzHN0jrF1Hjv1bp7-9rdfCDERtZPXInRKJ9EtZkQ1Sn6Iml4G6w1curXhVn34Z9Y-8YHUTnjZHjBJxnr9-3noBKjeg1upC_mYb14x9KuZ-iwXGd6Jmb0_-XmnFDqziNXYoSZTsg9x3Hox_O9VA/w640-h640/Scout%20Landing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>If you've been following Joe Barnard and BPS.Space's attempts to land a rocket propulsively on landing legs... HE DID IT.<br /><br /><a href="https://youtu.be/SH3lR2GLgT0" target="_blank">Click here</a> to go to his YouTube channel and see the awesome vid. Subscribe if you haven't already.</p><p style="text-align: center;">* * *</p><div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Check out my Etsy shop</a> for model rocket and space themed tees, mugs, and more.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-53508043510840543562022-04-07T19:59:00.002-04:002022-04-08T19:27:12.372-04:00Where to Buy Model Rockets and Rocket Supplies<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09Hmqk6bkuZ0E8CnScB8vcFtf6KANzkTLOIco9g5HK_nLjC_j0kZmpfVrT2xTPll8c5meHQBL7a-M_KnnD2IyuypUSl4xNvlNhKLkkb_bTb8S47pZK3RSg9HvpX-fSl_Y0f5vtbX4nX51nVoRykgyE0wLij8UOE4DQ3qNfSLvC3gjLp1guHnpxRFvsA/s1280/Where%20To%20Buy%20Model%20Rockets%20Thumbnail%2002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09Hmqk6bkuZ0E8CnScB8vcFtf6KANzkTLOIco9g5HK_nLjC_j0kZmpfVrT2xTPll8c5meHQBL7a-M_KnnD2IyuypUSl4xNvlNhKLkkb_bTb8S47pZK3RSg9HvpX-fSl_Y0f5vtbX4nX51nVoRykgyE0wLij8UOE4DQ3qNfSLvC3gjLp1guHnpxRFvsA/w640-h360/Where%20To%20Buy%20Model%20Rockets%20Thumbnail%2002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Someone on the Facebook group Estes Model Rockets posed a question recently: <i>Other than Amazon, where is everyone buying Estes rockets? I don't have a good hobby store near me.</i></p><p>I see beginners ask this kind of question frequently - where can you get model rocket stuff? This is quite an active, vibrant hobby with a hugely supportive base, but it's still somewhat underground. And it might surprise you to know that when I was a newbie 8 years ago, when I started googling where to buy model rockets, a lot of the best places didn't necessarily pop up at the top of the search results. Most of my first weeks' googling took me to Amazon, which is where I got most of my very first rockets and supplies, as well as my Kindle edition of <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Model-Rocketry-7th-Official/dp/0471472425/" target="_blank">The Handbook of Model Rocketry</a></i>, by G. Harry Stine and Bill Stine, an absolute must-read for beginners.</p><p>Maybe this is because of Amazon's advertising budget, maybe not. I won't speculate. But it took me a little digging to find some of the best vendors in this hobby.</p><p>Of course, a good place to start is a local hobby shop - if you have one available to you. Whether it's a small, independent hobby store or a big box store, you can go browse rockets and supplies, which is a lot of fun. It can be good to get an idea of what something looks like and how big it is before you buy. And supporting a good local hobby shop is always appreciated! Independent hobby shops are kind of a dying breed, and the owners are often very supportive of the customers they have.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzZtNAg8QUTC92Htc7vCa5TWzkkZ5HMTqLJGFEsa9PSHqIdXY25MXgiF5HV0s1_tQxK9xXzWeERvrlItfeVW7np6s9a8jfKjic1eWtsWVSJaU4PUgQ8pVX_dVlo4WP43zH-eccX7vOTR9yjiy4_wWVRsFfRU1DhQaB-IArvctmkd6gcfc0tq7NQnb7BA=s2048" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzZtNAg8QUTC92Htc7vCa5TWzkkZ5HMTqLJGFEsa9PSHqIdXY25MXgiF5HV0s1_tQxK9xXzWeERvrlItfeVW7np6s9a8jfKjic1eWtsWVSJaU4PUgQ8pVX_dVlo4WP43zH-eccX7vOTR9yjiy4_wWVRsFfRU1DhQaB-IArvctmkd6gcfc0tq7NQnb7BA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Treasure Chest, in Bloomington, Indiana. Last time I went back, they had closed for good.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Of course, not everyone has a hobby store nearby, and even if you do, the stock of rocketry supplies may be limited. Most people are buying things online these days, at least some of the time.</p><p>Here is a list of vendors I've bought from. It is <i style="font-weight: bold;">not </i>comprehensive, and is not in order of greatest to least, or anything like that. If there's someone left off the list, it's because I've either never bought from them, or maybe I did once, but don't remember it, so I don't have anything to go on. I've bought a lot of rocket stuff over the years. If I forget one of your favorites, leave a comment below and tell us all about them.</p><p>I'll start with the obvious one.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank">Amazon</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOBoCVpw_f5X4idGmKvfw5LiAY1B3WhnwxS-dqcLjVJFCqut2iS74UCPQZoH6ypOcQmpiNUlSTiqkYqHoUi9Q-Jhh8qDSU9LNuHM4nXOW6vaXW27WxCfKsUmav4uVXJUUlrOEFBN1EkQJ9uYj1R1N64bB-dUeQVx7xX_Z35CEUgERLrXSON3n3G9Oe9g=s1000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="1000" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOBoCVpw_f5X4idGmKvfw5LiAY1B3WhnwxS-dqcLjVJFCqut2iS74UCPQZoH6ypOcQmpiNUlSTiqkYqHoUi9Q-Jhh8qDSU9LNuHM4nXOW6vaXW27WxCfKsUmav4uVXJUUlrOEFBN1EkQJ9uYj1R1N64bB-dUeQVx7xX_Z35CEUgERLrXSON3n3G9Oe9g=w640-h288" width="640" /></a></div><p>You can find rockets from Estes and Quest on Amazon, as well as occasionally one or two other, smaller companies. Most of these are smaller vendors selling through Amazon, though, as a way to increase traffic.</p><p>While shopping from Amazon has its advantages - you're pretty much guaranteed a replacement or refund if your stuff doesn't arrive, or arrives damaged, for example - these days, I only buy rocket stuff from Amazon in certain circumstances. For example, if I need a building tool or painting supply and either can't get it elsewhere, or it's drastically cheaper an Amazon, I'll go with them. I get hobby knife blades in bulk through them. With individual kits, though, I tend to avoid them. Last rocket I bought from them was an Estes Der Red Max, and I had to return it several times before I got one which didn't have a squashed tube or bent balsa fins. Amazon pickers don't really know the hobby, and with the way model rocket kits are packaged, this is unsurprising to me.</p><p>I personally have a lot of sympathy for people who pick for Amazon. It's much harder work than you imagine, so I don't blame the pickers. But I'll turn to them for things like household appliances or general consumer goods rather than a model rocket kit.</p><p>Sometimes you'll find a rocket which is discontinued, and sold out everywhere, but Amazon still has a few. That's when I'd go ahead and buy from them.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://estesrockets.com/" target="_blank">The Estes Website - EstesRockets.com</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbiNo_z-9ssebEqA1tnyYHGZWsUloisMshdyikl5ZWlAWSWBqxScGHRx_3VuSZNZk3_qe1gd0GtmnqJgUVAgsw-3isahUwTFszOgqNakSjAp5rWw2hw4NDoEcbhC9yTT4LK9tY6fpvJWmJIQpWLap2vYaK0nlYUsgn5mLZOD8RtZtSqYGQenjfgE-fGA=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="1920" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbiNo_z-9ssebEqA1tnyYHGZWsUloisMshdyikl5ZWlAWSWBqxScGHRx_3VuSZNZk3_qe1gd0GtmnqJgUVAgsw-3isahUwTFszOgqNakSjAp5rWw2hw4NDoEcbhC9yTT4LK9tY6fpvJWmJIQpWLap2vYaK0nlYUsgn5mLZOD8RtZtSqYGQenjfgE-fGA=w640-h290" width="640" /></a></div><p>You can buy Estes stuff direct from the source at their website. All their current catalog (including the catalog itself, which you can get for free if you like paper catalogs), meaning rocket kits, engines, launch sets, and bulk engines and classroom rocket packs, plus building supplies, Estes hats, t-shirts and water bottles, plus <i>The Handbook of Model Rocketry </i>(Bill Stine, co-author and son of the book's original author, is VP at Estes). Shipping is free above a certain amount, and that amount may vary if they're having a sale. It's also the first place you can get certain limited edition products like ready-to-fly scale models. Their website also has a strong educational component, and you can download old catalogs and instruction sets from the site.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.questaerospace.com/" target="_blank">The Quest Website - QuestAerospace.com</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4NyzuWkVhgnxBUUgAluOkRCRsC_HHaDSpA8jWQ83v8hRALWujyJ1bJftT7GUq_WaWwDgLFEPTByd1D-PP7pndQ3QaIe5wDO-CAcF3B4031liK68yJSy-iRLeQAptUHWaeUtHbww85qNWWM-HSPUOgmcQ1AKpNftrfTvGfhi13xFWRZdJSqSjjxbpsXg=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="1920" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4NyzuWkVhgnxBUUgAluOkRCRsC_HHaDSpA8jWQ83v8hRALWujyJ1bJftT7GUq_WaWwDgLFEPTByd1D-PP7pndQ3QaIe5wDO-CAcF3B4031liK68yJSy-iRLeQAptUHWaeUtHbww85qNWWM-HSPUOgmcQ1AKpNftrfTvGfhi13xFWRZdJSqSjjxbpsXg=w640-h326" width="640" /></a></div><p>Quest is another model rocket company you should consider. They have kits of varying skill level, just like Estes, and they also carry their own line of <i>composite </i>motors. This uses the more energetic ammonium perchlorate propellant, as opposed to the black powder Estes uses. Combining BP Estes motors with Quest AP motors in your range box gives you a lot of possibilities to play with as you fly rockets.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://apogeerockets.com/" target="_blank">Apogee Components</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO63uKNV2AuvgTe7660H_M0OAEc2KyzC1xhu6Z1GXo_8jsFGA_wzasdm5FxhbekB22BBOgmwB5TTspjj2AzttVyuw7vI8RvGnzQnCB7FHm3UFYKlzEE1v-nl7k6jnafsluOjcHYcUiAqcrEVeYCuMnpfbxFfVfrKUpQ3JLoImPqQpZYmoDaDV1PHbfXg=s1918" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="1918" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO63uKNV2AuvgTe7660H_M0OAEc2KyzC1xhu6Z1GXo_8jsFGA_wzasdm5FxhbekB22BBOgmwB5TTspjj2AzttVyuw7vI8RvGnzQnCB7FHm3UFYKlzEE1v-nl7k6jnafsluOjcHYcUiAqcrEVeYCuMnpfbxFfVfrKUpQ3JLoImPqQpZYmoDaDV1PHbfXg=w640-h206" width="640" /></a></div><p>Apogee was the first site I found and purchased stuff from that wasn't Amazon. I bought some body tubes. These days, if I just wanted tubes, I'd probably go elsewhere, because their shipping was a little high. But they are known for excellent customer service, and they have a huge selection of kits, motors, specialty products, and a lot of things you just can't get anywhere else other than at Apogee. They also have an excellent e-newsletter filled with information on rocketry. You can browse their website for all their past newsletters and learn a lot. Also, they include a simulation file with almost every rocket in their catalog, free for download right there on the same page. This can be helpful if you want to pick motors for your flying field, and need to see how high your rocket may fly.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://JonRocket.com" target="_blank">JonRocket.com</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHmX6-3AUnHvFj56bUeXev_Jnxpe-w_H_AYOnXUBOuNv9ptwZF0_9-psXTLw2N4M0w48UtEScGsBqtGz0_chiBnefgyoy2gkGxWaQs5UhXiZ7LS71BDIOjGIJfygucCGb3eUwifkebYAGjvOZUom44f52YvrgZlyIGxZinrkZamseXov0Ss4Yg1EbiPQ=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="1920" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHmX6-3AUnHvFj56bUeXev_Jnxpe-w_H_AYOnXUBOuNv9ptwZF0_9-psXTLw2N4M0w48UtEScGsBqtGz0_chiBnefgyoy2gkGxWaQs5UhXiZ7LS71BDIOjGIJfygucCGb3eUwifkebYAGjvOZUom44f52YvrgZlyIGxZinrkZamseXov0Ss4Yg1EbiPQ=w640-h284" width="640" /></a></div><p>This was an early favorite of mine. In addition to kits from just about every manufacturer, they sell parts and supplies. They're a good place to check if you're looking for something that was recently discontinued. I bought most of my body tubes and nose cones for my first scratch builds from JonRocket, and used to look at their website every day. Shipping is free over $50. I met the owners at NARCON a few years ago, back when we could do that in person, and they're very sweet people.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://eRockets.biz" target="_blank">eRockets.biz</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifZSfve0Mv__JZDPwvuDqThAecwpE9FrnD14jAMq7iRehNyf9mUKi9Bv9QJNAdRBjjF0GJoyxf3DRkIVtQwrsJSmtRwQyTraXPcCtzYez-KwJFaickWLNobS6NB7kbE3AFplV91FWGvIccx8uCIff0OoMbJVi2J_zks9Nbdmc3iTmdMNvmm1FTmvsrRQ=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="1920" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifZSfve0Mv__JZDPwvuDqThAecwpE9FrnD14jAMq7iRehNyf9mUKi9Bv9QJNAdRBjjF0GJoyxf3DRkIVtQwrsJSmtRwQyTraXPcCtzYez-KwJFaickWLNobS6NB7kbE3AFplV91FWGvIccx8uCIff0OoMbJVi2J_zks9Nbdmc3iTmdMNvmm1FTmvsrRQ=w640-h204" width="640" /></a></div><p>eRockets sponsors my podcast, The Model Rocket Show, and they're a great vendor with excellent customer service. They produce the Semroc line of rockets, and the parts on those kits are top notch. eRockets also carries one-of-a-kind tools, finishing supplies, airbrush paint, etc. And they carry kits from tons of manufacturers - Estes and Quest, of course, but also AeroTech, ASP, Custom, Dr. Zooch, Shrockets, New Way, North Coast, Rocketarium, Odd'l Rockets, Mad Cow, LOC Precision, and many others.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.asp-rocketry.com/" target="_blank">Aerospace Specialty Products - ASP-rocketry.com</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNLGgc7KWTDVMLtqplZMXffH4CZgJZxBYhhFeBPw32FeI-6fI5lxqpJSnRZ7yuf8zhLn4DJ7ZUUOZf6sFu5jt9S-oEqpSmvy30j-CXohaFW0WsgMZF4F_aIdO3bCuSWzUetH6DW7W-GeSwTvxcPG1g4EGj8u69HHV0hfwHM7DsRulmwtQ68lZlVDjVFA=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="1920" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNLGgc7KWTDVMLtqplZMXffH4CZgJZxBYhhFeBPw32FeI-6fI5lxqpJSnRZ7yuf8zhLn4DJ7ZUUOZf6sFu5jt9S-oEqpSmvy30j-CXohaFW0WsgMZF4F_aIdO3bCuSWzUetH6DW7W-GeSwTvxcPG1g4EGj8u69HHV0hfwHM7DsRulmwtQ68lZlVDjVFA=w640-h302" width="640" /></a></div><p>ASP has much of what you'd find at other sites, but they specialize in a couple areas - scale model rockets and competition rockets. You can get kits specifically geared toward getting started in various NAR competitions, as well as parts and accessories (such a the NAR standard payload). They also have a series of their own scale model kits from small to large. Often, you'll find the same rocket in three different scale sizes, capable of flying on mini motors up to G or even H or I high power motors.</p><p>I particularly like ASP for specialty parts, like extra long body tubes, a wide variety of balsa nose cones and transitions, as well as their colorful nylon parachutes in all size.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.acsupplyco.com/" target="_blank">AC Supply</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNuQftogcbYtx-Az6BAFglUiAUN5gfh6Rr31aQzkkGqN9YDbwleEnxo8slKu_r-JtGW2C1OfmmSFZzBRmWVgBSajS15qlGry2JvFTNURg8DnkWPpawCRtyXNU_H2zGvC5R9otP4OoUdbb1i7s3YrkRu8bCYilC5eFtOpCD2JfeieNAL1vn4nuL8UKNow=s1919" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1919" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNuQftogcbYtx-Az6BAFglUiAUN5gfh6Rr31aQzkkGqN9YDbwleEnxo8slKu_r-JtGW2C1OfmmSFZzBRmWVgBSajS15qlGry2JvFTNURg8DnkWPpawCRtyXNU_H2zGvC5R9otP4OoUdbb1i7s3YrkRu8bCYilC5eFtOpCD2JfeieNAL1vn4nuL8UKNow=w640-h318" width="640" /></a></div><p>AC Supply sells a lot of STEM products, including robotics kits, electronics, even Pinewood Derby supplies. The reason I like them so much is that they're an Estes wholesaler. You can get pretty much anything Estes at 40% off, and if you spend over $100, shipping is free. I like to buy from them if I need a large quantity of something, like bulk motor packs, or a bunch of rockets at once. I always save up and spend over $100 for the free shipping.</p><p>This can be a way to deal with HAZMAT fees - the large fee you have to pay for rocket motors with more than 30 grams of propellant. The current fee, I think, is about $37, and applies to many E, F, and G motors. (There are exceptions to this, but with Estes engines, E/F/G engines all incur the fee). It's a single fee, though. If you buy a single F26-6 motor, you'd have to pay shipping AND a $37 HAZMAT fee! But if you bought, say, 25 motors, you'd easily go over the free shipping line, and would simply be adding $1.48 to the cost of each motor (or pack of 2 or 3). With everything already 40% off, that's a pretty good deal.</p><p>I've probably spent more at AC Supply than any other rocketry vendor. Highly recommended.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://bellevillehobby.com/" target="_blank">Belleville Hobby</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXKG0EBT4i2d-DX6ck4hNuoedpx7dbCC3PAKbjeIV9PGnm3wnnRWWdKiFTNcnpPlHWdgwynN2AymrUGunDzpGhjkahlU7rPxpzhrgykWE8tnrjq6tLi7voo5PjPnyOAXrFCFLPKBAmrl1U4CkAukPynkL3VrcChLF0bX-fV3V-VoO5KIltKTyxcSAxdg=s1919" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="879" data-original-width="1919" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXKG0EBT4i2d-DX6ck4hNuoedpx7dbCC3PAKbjeIV9PGnm3wnnRWWdKiFTNcnpPlHWdgwynN2AymrUGunDzpGhjkahlU7rPxpzhrgykWE8tnrjq6tLi7voo5PjPnyOAXrFCFLPKBAmrl1U4CkAukPynkL3VrcChLF0bX-fV3V-VoO5KIltKTyxcSAxdg=w640-h294" width="640" /></a></div><p>I should really look at Belleville more often. Because, like AC Supply, they are a discounted rocketry shop, but they carry a few other brands besides Estes - especially Custom Model Rockets, and Quest Aerospace.</p><p>Here's a great example - <a href="https://bellevillehobby.com/product/quest-quad-runner-model-rocket/" target="_blank">you could get a Quest Quadrunner</a> - an awesome 4-engine cluster rocket - for a deep discount.</p><p>I've only purchased from Belleville once or twice myself, but I did get excellent customer service when I did.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.buyrocketmotors.com/" target="_blank">Buy Rocket Motors</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJzWNGZ_i5PjWfvWiWWDAXqQYDmFmNV_0rerw5yFhS6U3IgLpAEhA_LXbQhPPG1g9-e02B1C1rG73ULSJTOi53ELwWQw3UVdhgtW_yKP4P8po8RWWIbFoilcrrjZVDo2mdPKmdxXUDddJCl-wPXTXhCrmWEyU-KgD_WM7p42yLQiD3pTHQdCLSEXx_5g=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="1920" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJzWNGZ_i5PjWfvWiWWDAXqQYDmFmNV_0rerw5yFhS6U3IgLpAEhA_LXbQhPPG1g9-e02B1C1rG73ULSJTOi53ELwWQw3UVdhgtW_yKP4P8po8RWWIbFoilcrrjZVDo2mdPKmdxXUDddJCl-wPXTXhCrmWEyU-KgD_WM7p42yLQiD3pTHQdCLSEXx_5g=w640-h304" width="640" /></a></div><p>Like a lot of these vendors, BRM does sell some kits, but its specialty is composite rocket motors and motor accessories from AeroTech. You can get reloadable motor casings, delay drilling tools, and propellant refills, as well as single-use engines, from A all the way up through M high power! They also sometimes run specials on an AeroTech or LOC Precision kit plus motor casing combo, so it's not a bad idea to sign up for their email list.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://northcoastrocketry.com/" target="_blank">North Coast Rocketry</a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNekAjBps9zLp2Bkv3U2RBJfLN4J5P3--iWLLgY-bSGmbc-da7zYbRXDLTdE0Bw2uhYw7fXRfZFVM9deTuXOFcA0eAhy6nTSZ7prtJvykFrt56d6BAdQGoOec8yl6bjuysE92c6Hpeiq1BRz8fOmgeSkmEjqZ5Zfu24enbOUZEZ83wOCgvS5wk_oyS8g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1920" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNekAjBps9zLp2Bkv3U2RBJfLN4J5P3--iWLLgY-bSGmbc-da7zYbRXDLTdE0Bw2uhYw7fXRfZFVM9deTuXOFcA0eAhy6nTSZ7prtJvykFrt56d6BAdQGoOec8yl6bjuysE92c6Hpeiq1BRz8fOmgeSkmEjqZ5Zfu24enbOUZEZ83wOCgvS5wk_oyS8g=w640-h216" width="640" /></a></div><br />I almost neglected to put North Coast on here - not because I forgot, but if memory serves, they used to sell their kits through other vendors, and their site served mainly as a catalog. Now, you can buy directly from the site, as it's a full online store.<p></p><p>Matt Steele, owner of NCR, is a great guy and will give you great service. North Coast has larger, mid-power kits. Built correctly, these could also fly on H or I 29mm motors, meaning you could do a certification flight on one if you chose to do so. I feel they're a good alternative to the old Estes plywood fins and centering rings Pro Series II builders' kits, which are no longer in production.</p><p>North Coast is also the U.S. distributor of the <a href="https://northcoastrocketry.com/products/adrel-atl-bmp-altimeter" target="_blank">Adrel altimeter</a>, a tiny, lightweight altimeter used in international competition rocketry.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.fliskits.com/WPRESS/" target="_blank">FlisKits</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="storefront-sorting" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.875em; margin-bottom: 2.61792em;"><div class="woocommerce-notices-wrapper" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6d6d6d; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", HelveticaNeue-Light, "Helvetica Neue Light", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></div></div><p></p><header class="woocommerce-products-header" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block;"><div class="page-description" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1.618em;"><figure class="wp-block-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px;"><img alt="" class="wp-image-252" height="323" src="https://www.fliskits.com/WPRESS/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/fliskits_logo_slogan-1024x518.jpg" style="border-radius: inherit; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; text-align: center;" width="640" /></figure></div></header><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>If you're looking for something different, produced by a small manufacturer, FlisKits is worth a look. They've got some funny odd rocs, some tiny scale models, great cluster models with canted motor tubes for a cool smoke trail, and stuff for beginners to advanced builders. You can buy FlisKits rockets at many of the sites I've listed above, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention their website here. I know the founder, Jim Flis, as well as one of the current owners, Ray DiPaola, and they're great guys. Check out my episode of The Model Rocket Show podcast all about FlisKits by <a href="https://themodelrocketshow.com/2-fliskits-nothing-flies-like-a-flis/" target="_blank">clicking HERE</a>.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/" target="_blank">eBay</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhR8lr9tnXAP7XGMWCP_yJkw-b_wtFYagSfDGXvzxXYycN_lbegdB0r6UaE_L9UJs4RXri6FKLH3Jtk70QDhgvKhC8_QdfB7-6y3MrVp0rgTiUptPkPJjsVwOxvlfM67kmhduIf36icgtySNAEqYWJnOSA3ysH86MDYyA7D2JVvnKbwzvLwXyijSarOOA=s1000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="1000" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhR8lr9tnXAP7XGMWCP_yJkw-b_wtFYagSfDGXvzxXYycN_lbegdB0r6UaE_L9UJs4RXri6FKLH3Jtk70QDhgvKhC8_QdfB7-6y3MrVp0rgTiUptPkPJjsVwOxvlfM67kmhduIf36icgtySNAEqYWJnOSA3ysH86MDYyA7D2JVvnKbwzvLwXyijSarOOA=w640-h288" width="640" /></a></div><p>You can sometimes get some real deals on eBay. If you're looking for an out-of-production model rocket kit, or if you're looking for some reloadable motor hardware, it's <a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=rocketry&_sacat=0" target="_blank">worth checking out</a>. You do want to beware of overpaying for an old kit, and of course go with sellers with good ratings. But I've found a few things on there I'm really happy I bought.</p><p>I got a few Estes D Region Tomahawk kits, and managed to pay a reasonable price for those. I got some AeroTech and Cesaroni high power motor hardware for less than retail. I've bought some really cheap cameras on there for taping to the side of a rocket. I even got a great blast deflector and rod holder to convert a camera tripod into a launch pad, capable of holding launch rods up to 1/4 inch!</p><p>I had to break the eBay habit a while back - I was winning too many auctions, and it was getting expensive. Still, I do check from time to time. There are a few things on my wish list I try to get for a good price.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.balsamachining.com/" target="_blank">Balsa Machining Service</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtUDMSwSTq8y1l8qgzeFP9IDwcHe1lt6r761sDeq6pj6jC1ZhYtj7f75THNBK4vgucOEIh7ZIAX-jlbPu-GFGkgJrPMVwyTflWPWnGUxrxOXFleE3W1f9H5sOBkp_sypD2Pln6V5XdSDXYsTd1F8ZhpvIad9afCIhZToVbs0dOH1OyvQQrMnsGiPkTCg=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="1920" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtUDMSwSTq8y1l8qgzeFP9IDwcHe1lt6r761sDeq6pj6jC1ZhYtj7f75THNBK4vgucOEIh7ZIAX-jlbPu-GFGkgJrPMVwyTflWPWnGUxrxOXFleE3W1f9H5sOBkp_sypD2Pln6V5XdSDXYsTd1F8ZhpvIad9afCIhZToVbs0dOH1OyvQQrMnsGiPkTCg=w640-h202" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I've never bought from Balsa Machining Service, and I know I'm missing out here, because a lot of people in rocketry give them a lot of praise. Their specialty is, as the name suggests, machined balsa parts. Nose cones, tail cones, and nose blocks (a solid balsa piece used as a tube coupler to make the upper portion of the rocket a payload section) are their main stock and trade. They also sell motors, though, and the School Rocket is the cheapest kit you will find on the market - whether you buy 1 or 50 - making them a good place to shop for school projects.</p><p>Again, I've never personally purchased from them (yet), but I have them bookmarked, and they have such a good reputation I have to mention them.</p><p style="text-align: center;">* * *</p><p>What about you? Do you have a favorite vendor I forgot to mention here? Leave a comment below and tell us all about them!</p><p>(This post is now also a video on my YouTube channel. You can see it by <a href="https://youtu.be/5-nE0DjuhWg" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.)</p><div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Check out my Etsy shop</a> for model rocket and space themed tees, mugs, and more.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-46383174984879601352022-04-04T19:35:00.000-04:002022-04-04T19:35:19.770-04:00Where Is the N00b? He's Trapped In the Editing Booth!<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsONTBx6xJfGD5iuH1yenMDLYeB3GoH__Jw864dJxcsrJmtKz5e339nY8G6XlBGDLfsGKbTXTOEzYUc1QAaYfa4F8TT5X-1LjHoYocJT7eUiesu4Szs7ypGOK8md8CPEnVI8Y1wpIU4fQjly0NASLO-tec5wszSEqlrZ7VD4lUn4WLXwYkbr951JC1fg/s1526/Editing%20Video.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1526" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsONTBx6xJfGD5iuH1yenMDLYeB3GoH__Jw864dJxcsrJmtKz5e339nY8G6XlBGDLfsGKbTXTOEzYUc1QAaYfa4F8TT5X-1LjHoYocJT7eUiesu4Szs7ypGOK8md8CPEnVI8Y1wpIU4fQjly0NASLO-tec5wszSEqlrZ7VD4lUn4WLXwYkbr951JC1fg/w640-h420/Editing%20Video.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p>Just a quick update:</p><p><a href="https://thethiftyrocketeer.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Thrifty Rocketeer</a> asked me if I had any updates on things, as I haven't written in a while.</p><p>Well, my hospital stay is well over, and I'm mostly recovered, minus the occasional twinge.</p><p>My friend in Kenya succeeded in getting life-saving surgery for his son. The fundraiser fell short of the full amount, but he was able to put up the initial payment and take out a loan for the rest. Ochieng' is also recovering nicely.</p><p>I have been working on upgrading my YouTube channel, and while I've got some things in the works, I've also had some frustrations. I've been working on a video I think will be really useful to beginners getting into the hobby, as well as parents looking for info for their kids. I actually scripted and planned something out, rather than just throwing together some cool launch footage.</p><p>But I had to re-shoot it four times until I decided the video and sound were good enough. Now I'm editing. I only kind of know what I'm doing, so it's slow-going, but coming along. I was hoping to publish this video two weeks ago, but I think it will be done some time later this week.</p><p>I recently tried an experiment with YouTube Shorts. If you don't know what this is, YT Shorts are vertical videos of no more than one minute in length. I think they're kind of YouTube's response to TikTok.</p><p>I don't really understand TikTok, and I don't fully get YouTube Shorts either, but a lot of channels I follow on content creation for YouTube seem to suggest that they can add value to a channel and bring in views and subscribers. It feels like a really disposable form of content to me, but I figured it couldn't hurt to give it a try.</p><p>So I put together a quick short. This video (<a href="https://youtu.be/0rBGlS9AQ8M" target="_blank">click here to watch it</a>) is only four static shots of video I took when I taught model rocket camp a few years ago. I added a drum track I made myself, and a black end screen, and then posted it.</p><p>The video is only 12 seconds long.</p><p>Friends, let me tell you how shocked I am - in its first week, this little short video got over 2,600 views and brought in 9 new subscribers! A 12-second video outperformed every other video I've ever published during its entire lifetime, in six days.</p><p>Let's just say, I'm intrigued. And maybe I can publish something that will be useful to someone. We'll see.</p><p>In the meantime, back to work on this longer form video. </p><div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Check out my Etsy shop</a> for model rocket and space themed tees, mugs, and more.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-13199360448984607202022-02-26T14:47:00.000-05:002022-02-26T14:47:53.419-05:00What a Week!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSekob60ksuzaRQXyLyZXKnm-GLGBOrfwJcXCXpfZL8lH8_moaJF2tw4dYRW7iaFmCSwNbTNBmdl0DRNRMB32NoH6VPXUz3EHfOZfQix_vnYDJ7HzB8XeKoL6XWzeTy5Vrc7lzZiioOGq9darRNAnoD9E25pWY1Bz_CcWUQR5_pXoP6S7dhcVrXcjsXA=s2978" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1340" data-original-width="2978" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSekob60ksuzaRQXyLyZXKnm-GLGBOrfwJcXCXpfZL8lH8_moaJF2tw4dYRW7iaFmCSwNbTNBmdl0DRNRMB32NoH6VPXUz3EHfOZfQix_vnYDJ7HzB8XeKoL6XWzeTy5Vrc7lzZiioOGq9darRNAnoD9E25pWY1Bz_CcWUQR5_pXoP6S7dhcVrXcjsXA=w640-h288" width="640" /></a></div><p>It's been an expensive week. I was in the hospital three times.
</p><p>I've been intending to donate to my friend Eugene's son's operation for his tonsils. I've decided to donate 100% of any profits I get from my Etsy and Redbubble stores directly to Ochieng's surgery.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4HtSHMC2LkcDFYuZqHN5ehQc7IvSTxO_J7g7vr1mVz94_u8GNYA9AQzMRoA7owwbOadtJm266danbIX3p4FBPeenRcSepiCPmoxlC_UCSF--jzca3udAsWjkWHmpVyubZlw68D1yoeCqYn3eMFQ_7R_f0A1FCKzgBTOT6jPqzwLHqe_CDMQ54-gHa1A=s2000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4HtSHMC2LkcDFYuZqHN5ehQc7IvSTxO_J7g7vr1mVz94_u8GNYA9AQzMRoA7owwbOadtJm266danbIX3p4FBPeenRcSepiCPmoxlC_UCSF--jzca3udAsWjkWHmpVyubZlw68D1yoeCqYn3eMFQ_7R_f0A1FCKzgBTOT6jPqzwLHqe_CDMQ54-gHa1A=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drag Race shirt on Etsy</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The Etsy store is all rocket and space themed stuff, and the Redbubble store is a mishmash of space, funny stuff, and weird humor. Also dogs, cats, and frogs.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiugms4x_-JupRyk-eZiUFgQzXwltFFi6evmr45f5hxyCIUtD8bnnSnEu-M50YM_s4aI-77ymA3_UwJ8hBw_gmSQWZj3w1BNMyjWoGkJRoYWqlNiqVTkZoxzWX1KWCFjQg4cwQOXnQQ_GoGH8PCa0RCsUSusqzqvHIdRUQnThWdMnpiVCYTLKpZpDxchA=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiugms4x_-JupRyk-eZiUFgQzXwltFFi6evmr45f5hxyCIUtD8bnnSnEu-M50YM_s4aI-77ymA3_UwJ8hBw_gmSQWZj3w1BNMyjWoGkJRoYWqlNiqVTkZoxzWX1KWCFjQg4cwQOXnQQ_GoGH8PCa0RCsUSusqzqvHIdRUQnThWdMnpiVCYTLKpZpDxchA=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frog Magnet Pack on Redbubble</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I'll donate every penny I make from these sales through Sunday night at midnight (the fundraiser is over Monday the 28th).</p><div>Because this is going on my rocketry blog, I want to stress - I put all my rocketry designs on Etsy, and I put those designs plus anything that doesn't fit on Redbubble. It's like a sketch pad for me.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE-GXtRk5U9ke9wj2v9exTnLULwlvftlTfPvY5wwXiRuNB1g5y3P81cSinpG_WINeCyPSniYMBwT7ZS0iqsHutdb0FBWlmtX0PzqIkM345EEH_0eSEab3sKnZMJUbws4ePEmPeOHj04tAeuswGUIK3VAQxh2-n4wf5JYiZdWo053vZmCfwRZnX64AKaQ=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE-GXtRk5U9ke9wj2v9exTnLULwlvftlTfPvY5wwXiRuNB1g5y3P81cSinpG_WINeCyPSniYMBwT7ZS0iqsHutdb0FBWlmtX0PzqIkM345EEH_0eSEab3sKnZMJUbws4ePEmPeOHj04tAeuswGUIK3VAQxh2-n4wf5JYiZdWo053vZmCfwRZnX64AKaQ=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunar New Year Shirt on Redbubble</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I come up with a design, and if I like it, I put it up. If it's not about rocketry, though, it only goes on Redbubble. Which means you'll find some funny stuff, some cute animal related stuff, some cool things, trendy stuff, and also some just plain weird stuff up there, because it made me giggle.</div><p>The Etsy store is what I see as My Rocket N00b Shop.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvRWO6_F-Eh0_oD9n1k9d5g6DEKami6i-UV7OkO-devZyIhgLJ_kABu0q5f_KOirsQXL8iogrc0kCPVEbfD9uTc3hcfyUqzS-2UQ4mDphitkctYiPgeosgUwqLGgQkfxupBoSOsByGEZ_D3s6_iesrmhbfszC7i4rtLpT9IYj3YmlZPoEuj0koE-kGKw=s2159" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2159" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvRWO6_F-Eh0_oD9n1k9d5g6DEKami6i-UV7OkO-devZyIhgLJ_kABu0q5f_KOirsQXL8iogrc0kCPVEbfD9uTc3hcfyUqzS-2UQ4mDphitkctYiPgeosgUwqLGgQkfxupBoSOsByGEZ_D3s6_iesrmhbfszC7i4rtLpT9IYj3YmlZPoEuj0koE-kGKw=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NASA Worm with Colored Smoke Mug on Etsy</td></tr></tbody></table><p>To give some incentive, if you go to the Etsy shop, use the promo code OCHIENG to get 10% off.</p><p>Whether you use the code or not, I'll give all proceeds to Ochieng's surgery. Check out both stores, because you might find something you'll like.</p><p>Etsy store link: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/RocketN00b" target="_blank">https://www.etsy.com/shop/RocketN00b</a></p><p>Redbubble store link: <a href="https://www.redbubble.com/people/RocketN00b/shop?asc=u" target="_blank">https://www.redbubble.com/people/RocketN00b/shop?asc=u</a></p><p>And if you want to skip buying something and donate directly to Ochieng's surgery, and potentially save this boy's life: <a href="https://gogetfunding.com/ochiengs-acute-tonsillitis-surgery/" target="_blank">https://gogetfunding.com/ochiengs-acute-tonsillitis-surgery/</a></p><p>Please help if you can. He just needs another $1757 by Monday. Thank you.</p><div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-37218220523547709102022-02-21T19:06:00.000-05:002022-02-21T19:06:56.096-05:00Helping Out a Fellow Rocketeer<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiN7Xhe-uLFZPM7rbnUdbgHcTR6BP0TluvNnVVR8Xy6aoX8HMBndZ1LHVQDi_EcJvUdam6CnKE73InBQq2UesE67ObOneZVcYLbQRE1x-zRfP-MWhCYyTnExSccbLppYIrVFEOYjnwl0g_hvPVuwm-pKYOZU0dU_oPtk9AIWHu4xq24vw7jald1_-loA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="630" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiN7Xhe-uLFZPM7rbnUdbgHcTR6BP0TluvNnVVR8Xy6aoX8HMBndZ1LHVQDi_EcJvUdam6CnKE73InBQq2UesE67ObOneZVcYLbQRE1x-zRfP-MWhCYyTnExSccbLppYIrVFEOYjnwl0g_hvPVuwm-pKYOZU0dU_oPtk9AIWHu4xq24vw7jald1_-loA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>A Facebook friend of mine posted some alarming news a couple of days ago.
</p><p>Eugene Awimbo, a man in Kenya who I'm connected with because of his amateur rocketry project, has a son, Ochieng, with chronic tonsillitis. Things have gotten really bad with this latest infection, and they have been advised to remove his tonsils and adenoids no later than February 28.</p><p>Some of Eugene's Facebook friends encouraged him to look into crowdfunding, which he has done. The surgery costs $3000. Insurance would cover it, but Eugene has a gap in his insurance until March 9.</p><p>I don't know much about life in Kenya, but I must assume that $3000 is kind of a lot of money there. For those of us living in the United States, however, $3000 for a critical surgery is really cheap.
It wouldn't take many of us donating a small amount to get this kid his operation. If my son Simon had a potentially life-threatening infection, I'd do whatever it took to get him help. If I couldn't get him the treatment he needed for want of a few thousand dollars, I'd be absolutely desperate.</p><p><a href="https://gogetfunding.com/ochiengs-acute-tonsillitis-surgery/" target="_blank">Here's the link</a> to the crowdfund and some additional details. Feel free to share with your friends, but also please consider giving a little bit of money.</p><div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-40938095070871555732022-01-26T20:58:00.003-05:002022-01-26T20:58:58.673-05:00I Made Something!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhG_z4otk3feXNJIER64uASxFuiStNCXdIpln-do1CTTUCaB2mvTVqxgXbWTp6e0dp1hIzqmYJB5r6-QvkcQVz3aWXtCy7ygBgFTMtetF9CJDZ35ndz5Sn-j62IOIMlglEAzpCirEaDQVuiKGAdn2YwcfSBfdMxohvaEo1P-e_UssA_G2oJtorFAmYy3w=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhG_z4otk3feXNJIER64uASxFuiStNCXdIpln-do1CTTUCaB2mvTVqxgXbWTp6e0dp1hIzqmYJB5r6-QvkcQVz3aWXtCy7ygBgFTMtetF9CJDZ35ndz5Sn-j62IOIMlglEAzpCirEaDQVuiKGAdn2YwcfSBfdMxohvaEo1P-e_UssA_G2oJtorFAmYy3w=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />I made a mug! It's real, and it's here, and it's beautiful!<p>I've been working on building an Etsy shop (and a Redbubble shop as well), and this is sample of my first item - a Robert H. Goddard coffee mug!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoS8scrAaMom7isa7pnuCht0JxzCzjQQ5guxx6pPR0-EINcXLlOMLQcLwm6XEPdqVBxC3RYRkk_SNOyoehbHsxh9Tgs_us7IKZLJsGhv1y4IQFFWJI7y1fx3VWSUh7RlPqfHGQ0vCCDUytmw7RqetnWdzVkyH0XyvgvsHXKyPIC-nC4CDR5yfJNzXqJw=s6000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoS8scrAaMom7isa7pnuCht0JxzCzjQQ5guxx6pPR0-EINcXLlOMLQcLwm6XEPdqVBxC3RYRkk_SNOyoehbHsxh9Tgs_us7IKZLJsGhv1y4IQFFWJI7y1fx3VWSUh7RlPqfHGQ0vCCDUytmw7RqetnWdzVkyH0XyvgvsHXKyPIC-nC4CDR5yfJNzXqJw=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>And this is kind of a rough draft, too. I got so excited when I was making this, I ordered a sample right away. Then I decided to sharpen and color correct the image a little before finalizing the design, and I think I even made it slightly larger (though only a tiny bit). So, customers are going to get an even nicer looking version of this than I have.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgT7GTpbt01NbPiZg4bpbvir9cb8RuUwRXO9j9p2JyWOxVoNS0Ry086nHaAMzaurhKX9tkthTnawAjL57rg9brlEf2KoP2sLfXs60Tn9Z4qo9FdsTbT7YbK4neTIRqUs1SGTcGQR22fiQd_w2ALEsr0bLTCBnAqv19QpuvlxvKkjICF6dc-qh3UQoZU6w=s6000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgT7GTpbt01NbPiZg4bpbvir9cb8RuUwRXO9j9p2JyWOxVoNS0Ry086nHaAMzaurhKX9tkthTnawAjL57rg9brlEf2KoP2sLfXs60Tn9Z4qo9FdsTbT7YbK4neTIRqUs1SGTcGQR22fiQd_w2ALEsr0bLTCBnAqv19QpuvlxvKkjICF6dc-qh3UQoZU6w=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p>Not only that, I could have ordered samples of some of my other products at the discounted rate if I'd just calmed down and thought it through... No matter, it's here, and I love it.</p><p>I really, really like this thing, and I've been counting the days until it arrived.</p><p>The shop is really new and has six items (eight, really, if you count the kids' sizes), but there's more on the way. If you're interested in checking it out, here's the link:
</p><p><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/RocketN00b" target="_blank">https://www.etsy.com/shop/RocketN00b</a></p><div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-5375241848751488942022-01-15T17:34:00.001-05:002022-01-15T17:38:50.124-05:00The Estes V2 - Epoxy Fillets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvhPCqYEEaJJBmuOXKgcIBB0xUQzsa2rQ9Oh3tBqzmMu829QKfnnsNGrBtF2rWS6185FaWcX-2EpohHOS-UhZhypkF8B4O4loqCVs3QdlX_t6c-eC72pIvhkOsGCaZKH9fks6ZiuXuLf0b6kHg3H837QTQLKcCZ_kCF4zXBnyKX49UMtRqppdc3hVg6w=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvhPCqYEEaJJBmuOXKgcIBB0xUQzsa2rQ9Oh3tBqzmMu829QKfnnsNGrBtF2rWS6185FaWcX-2EpohHOS-UhZhypkF8B4O4loqCVs3QdlX_t6c-eC72pIvhkOsGCaZKH9fks6ZiuXuLf0b6kHg3H837QTQLKcCZ_kCF4zXBnyKX49UMtRqppdc3hVg6w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>I put epoxy fillets on the V2. A follower on Instagram suggested JB Weld epoxy for this model, which I always have on hand. After some thought, I decided to try it, and it turned out really well.</p><p>Since it's a steel-reinforced epoxy, I had assumed JB Weld wouldn't be sandable, so I'd have to get the fillets perfect on the first try or there would be no fixing it. This turned out to be wrong - you can sand JB Weld if you need.</p><p>When making epoxy fillets, I find it best to tape off the outline to keep it clean. To make a small radius, round fillet, I chose a bamboo chop stick.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6RXg5HQHZ_rIW7uGkwL-4sbO9uOxyg0LABer2H4wOw5HIAoEseepSDK5MlBHeGCrLfzAAgJF8akSBb606G4H0M2BpVsKrLwHggWFCnlAO02UN8o81VsHgEdRK0n-bw1Q4QI-Fm0Gln5V7r78Q6Y4dlRNcjjxD-mWZg69Q3Sd3Eml-KXNtGTh2SbrSRA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6RXg5HQHZ_rIW7uGkwL-4sbO9uOxyg0LABer2H4wOw5HIAoEseepSDK5MlBHeGCrLfzAAgJF8akSBb606G4H0M2BpVsKrLwHggWFCnlAO02UN8o81VsHgEdRK0n-bw1Q4QI-Fm0Gln5V7r78Q6Y4dlRNcjjxD-mWZg69Q3Sd3Eml-KXNtGTh2SbrSRA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><p>I started by marking the edges of the fillets with the chop stick. Using a soft graphite sketching pencil, I rubbed the end of the chop stick with graphite and ran it along the root edges of the fins. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivdCAYWM7ISTW5TBgzmXTQQcV84XydnCm2Tuui-aoJX6LQo3StlUrFNuQ6vj_Od7CFqkmrn8nzpaMz-1JhOVoHqbnCSTiZvF412fr5KR3PRNGvbCghvRk4infdE2CIIG3CyQDTwUn8L9JtsWzGnTE1Ec8lN-gMWlP7hPK9j3QlqDB-lmb-iyhvV2f6Dw=s2877" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2877" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivdCAYWM7ISTW5TBgzmXTQQcV84XydnCm2Tuui-aoJX6LQo3StlUrFNuQ6vj_Od7CFqkmrn8nzpaMz-1JhOVoHqbnCSTiZvF412fr5KR3PRNGvbCghvRk4infdE2CIIG3CyQDTwUn8L9JtsWzGnTE1Ec8lN-gMWlP7hPK9j3QlqDB-lmb-iyhvV2f6Dw=w640-h320" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb-7jLbzs-1fxaSIMGuc2xb6R2EZKh9M17yYw0nrldmSzJCJESHLEf3xuB1iP3LiLdYjBks9wsMeXjb5pbPwMGZ0WkaF9CJZVqMp6N95jQBk5qAemwJI2e2sJRft4nGczkTqTdQTBOgXaM8uPQ0x19aVm47j_NuXMpY0eZXjNnWTg-gAr-rg30nj_tKg=s2880" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2880" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb-7jLbzs-1fxaSIMGuc2xb6R2EZKh9M17yYw0nrldmSzJCJESHLEf3xuB1iP3LiLdYjBks9wsMeXjb5pbPwMGZ0WkaF9CJZVqMp6N95jQBk5qAemwJI2e2sJRft4nGczkTqTdQTBOgXaM8uPQ0x19aVm47j_NuXMpY0eZXjNnWTg-gAr-rg30nj_tKg=w640-h320" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Next, I taped along these marks.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtO9qZhtd90F83x4R0SEGXMicYJIiTo17cUp_bhpztwU98ZtMHaW7-YLF6f3M13DNfvUiCmWni4Yxp4OTjYVEPSOAw70Au0oEk-gbrxNi5I80l-_G37IVvK19v8xsMQEljt1mEwjeRi3gIBnLnNKDE0N4vnnpCbVczkxZUUBpVqtb-DJf9IxBfFrQkfg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtO9qZhtd90F83x4R0SEGXMicYJIiTo17cUp_bhpztwU98ZtMHaW7-YLF6f3M13DNfvUiCmWni4Yxp4OTjYVEPSOAw70Au0oEk-gbrxNi5I80l-_G37IVvK19v8xsMQEljt1mEwjeRi3gIBnLnNKDE0N4vnnpCbVczkxZUUBpVqtb-DJf9IxBfFrQkfg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p>The lighting is terrible because the blue tape completely threw off the white balance of my phone camera, and I couldn't fix it for the life of me.</p><p>Due to the curvature of the boat tail, I used multiple pieces of masking tape to follow the marking on the fin and get an appropriately shaped fillet.</p><p>To keep things relatively neat and reduce wasted epoxy, I sacrificed a medical dosing syringe to lay down a bead of epoxy. Just a little did the trick.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFMoDOGfjws17zzDIbFo74QLO34LsgSsQEekTNTPbzmliLFMoGKJ4CI-G4iy6LBYiBPIXNPaj0ifFHBzQZpgU9IGZMIia0azKt8jqnUQwgDOChB5xtG4oBnaNwNs4EUsIIRwhTK8pj9ZUYrya7ltC5N5MTWVekfvnojegM2_rqCbXJVfODD9WKQaB1Tw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFMoDOGfjws17zzDIbFo74QLO34LsgSsQEekTNTPbzmliLFMoGKJ4CI-G4iy6LBYiBPIXNPaj0ifFHBzQZpgU9IGZMIia0azKt8jqnUQwgDOChB5xtG4oBnaNwNs4EUsIIRwhTK8pj9ZUYrya7ltC5N5MTWVekfvnojegM2_rqCbXJVfODD9WKQaB1Tw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2616VVJzmAnJ6vjD_mDEtDUOiNJBSlx9JVapu0DjRNiOd92vdvtBW5Ql5pi7gCw41wfmXxY8xro5nMqFIjAd3m-GjmAEGpvXy-KW9UXqDo1vrW6Tj2cA4oIRC3EMQ0zb36yAbgZPIOA0JSxBHEOnsjNesmmXHieejPEd_nCU5tXOerpRoI8WRRf1b7Q=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2616VVJzmAnJ6vjD_mDEtDUOiNJBSlx9JVapu0DjRNiOd92vdvtBW5Ql5pi7gCw41wfmXxY8xro5nMqFIjAd3m-GjmAEGpvXy-KW9UXqDo1vrW6Tj2cA4oIRC3EMQ0zb36yAbgZPIOA0JSxBHEOnsjNesmmXHieejPEd_nCU5tXOerpRoI8WRRf1b7Q=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p>It may not look like enough for a good fillet, but once I smoothed it out with an alcohol-dipped chopstick, the fillets spread to fill the taped-off area and looked good.</p><p>Because it's so thick and doesn't sag or self-level, I was able to do all four sets of fillets in one go. I let about an hour or so pass before trying to do any touch up with an alcohol-soaked swab.</p><p>The end result is really great. Not too heavy on the back end, and even the one fin which was slightly loose is now solidly attached.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjngKkLrAcrKLzDHz69BeJ24O_sHPZ_UPgDnL5uvLeHPjRUieUBlkFN2bM8PHyq-WPeeSXNSX2UeTZ6LASA-3cZEfmNjeISRBDRxCs1EJi72lv24JppQdc9lgx9J6l6iSSPwe3dGBsBGe_iL2aPpoiCVC-uyNbinMbGhEonjCCPiBbdALkOBL9oRmeVaw=s1440" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjngKkLrAcrKLzDHz69BeJ24O_sHPZ_UPgDnL5uvLeHPjRUieUBlkFN2bM8PHyq-WPeeSXNSX2UeTZ6LASA-3cZEfmNjeISRBDRxCs1EJi72lv24JppQdc9lgx9J6l6iSSPwe3dGBsBGe_iL2aPpoiCVC-uyNbinMbGhEonjCCPiBbdALkOBL9oRmeVaw=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><p>I wouldn't use JB Weld for larger fillets, as it comes in small tubes and might get a little expensive if you use it for something large. But I can see turning to this for some smaller projects.</p><p>The basic build is done. Apart from some cleaning up of the nose cone ridges, the V2 basically ready for primer and paint. I'm pretty pleased with how this turned out and look forward to painting it and showing it off at the field next season.</p><div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-44816128939762393232022-01-12T13:39:00.000-05:002022-01-15T17:37:56.703-05:00Estes V2 - Fins On!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBV81M3gfMIebBx7d1d2pTq2ume4JkhfN8TEiK3MR9qweQJTfBy45vm6rGSB_KIoFdiOLp2O7aXWy8VYeV8MRqZT8h1Oy4CJkqnaMVTw9s3W06v5xLo8dldZ5dW2zXQ8D_R8JV_6Vua0oBys3J8lzcLVuuYJaOy3jcsGkwj4r0Sj3fefWLjvRYiNC5Bg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBV81M3gfMIebBx7d1d2pTq2ume4JkhfN8TEiK3MR9qweQJTfBy45vm6rGSB_KIoFdiOLp2O7aXWy8VYeV8MRqZT8h1Oy4CJkqnaMVTw9s3W06v5xLo8dldZ5dW2zXQ8D_R8JV_6Vua0oBys3J8lzcLVuuYJaOy3jcsGkwj4r0Sj3fefWLjvRYiNC5Bg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p>Fins are on the V2, and it's looking good!</p><p>Wood glue worked. Even the fin with the slight gap between the tab root and the motor tube is attached - but only just. There is a bit of wiggle. The forward tab is probably not attached at all. Due to the way the rocket is constructed, there are gaps between the fin root and the boat tail.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinoahsEKmJHNQ5e8xBMQzjZBn3J7DPyznuAaZDGS5-xctO9GRHXMvGP7Pme8D-VQeE_QG-Z05cbxJ3OabU6OX4bw9XEXPs2VaWaE71_8PmjzaAlxE498acTd2qqLv-yE5rhlf1jFutaO-29wl9wVpaNTPOnhMs6Pq6RjRJvTaGH2raXcfdgsh-JD-1CA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinoahsEKmJHNQ5e8xBMQzjZBn3J7DPyznuAaZDGS5-xctO9GRHXMvGP7Pme8D-VQeE_QG-Z05cbxJ3OabU6OX4bw9XEXPs2VaWaE71_8PmjzaAlxE498acTd2qqLv-yE5rhlf1jFutaO-29wl9wVpaNTPOnhMs6Pq6RjRJvTaGH2raXcfdgsh-JD-1CA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p>Both of these issues will be taken care of by adding a good fillet to the fin roots. Instructions don't mention fillets, but there's good reason for them. The V-2 missile had significant fairings at the bases of their fins, so it makes sense from a scale modeling standpoint.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgd-5hdWH4Wm-E923C3WfxYOpRiLZLo9kAh7n9w2A4nj3sP4qpkTvIl7RIKpAQHjoFrEQloG9RAzKbW6hTmbBIVJVEupmcFIEg_cU6DoUTG5EvKpSvj93DAJeglDuxsJSZKdq6hWN_qgtBBWy8dzAeLR9KThe8wzT_3PPGWs9ZdeH1WetysC1aAzsnN7Q=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1280" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgd-5hdWH4Wm-E923C3WfxYOpRiLZLo9kAh7n9w2A4nj3sP4qpkTvIl7RIKpAQHjoFrEQloG9RAzKbW6hTmbBIVJVEupmcFIEg_cU6DoUTG5EvKpSvj93DAJeglDuxsJSZKdq6hWN_qgtBBWy8dzAeLR9KThe8wzT_3PPGWs9ZdeH1WetysC1aAzsnN7Q=w640-h484" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Wikimedia Commons. Photo Credit: Jan B.H.A. Vervloedt (photo) Ad Meskens (scan)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>For most low and mid power rockets, I prefer simple glue fillets. But here, because of the plastic, the significant gaps, and the weak fin attachment, I'll opt for epoxy fillets. This will also allow for larger radius fillets, for the look.</p><p>My original thought was to go with one of two choices - Bob Smith 30 minute epoxy thickened with microballoons, or some kind of epoxy clay.</p><p>I already have microballoons on hand. I've used them before with good results. Microballoons make epoxy lighter, but thicker and less prone to sagging while it cures. It's easier to sand if needed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtOiWz5L-7ig7percj9jpnOBJooBKROaegoMm8Tog5di-M11FbmtW9FruUc21GqeF6WqbE02U5w4oB3j3gHiuKPzpQWGKiYry5HSfc11OHam7HO14hUJmI2RrmNQLRgB9fzWlkZlgdMOmMH_XNPXG1M1ug8Myqcmtr0W535oMqPuSRs2iBbnrqQJlYTQ=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtOiWz5L-7ig7percj9jpnOBJooBKROaegoMm8Tog5di-M11FbmtW9FruUc21GqeF6WqbE02U5w4oB3j3gHiuKPzpQWGKiYry5HSfc11OHam7HO14hUJmI2RrmNQLRgB9fzWlkZlgdMOmMH_XNPXG1M1ug8Myqcmtr0W535oMqPuSRs2iBbnrqQJlYTQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p>The downside is that adding microballoons to epoxy makes it brittle. I have one rocket with cracks in its beautiful fillets, even though it's never had a terribly hard landing, because of the microballoons. (They're made of silica glass, so they make epoxy much more glass-like.) And though it's less prone to sagging than straight epoxy, this mixture can still run a little as it cures. Since these fillets will be on the boat tail, I'd probably need to keep a close eye on them for at least 15-20 minutes to make sure they aren't pooling on the tail end, or running off. And, of course, epoxy is messy.</p><p>Epoxy clay seems easy to shape and work with. It is apparently sandable when it cures. It won't sag or run.
</p><p>But, I don't have any, I've never worked with it, and it's dense, so it'll add some tail weight. Since I trimmed the fins, I need to shift the CG forward. Extra weight in the fillets means extra weight in the nose, and if I add too much I'll need more powerful motors for a decent flight.</p><p>Apogee Components sells a product called <a href="https://www.apogeerockets.com/Building-Supplies/Adhesives/FIXIT-Epoxy-Clay" target="_blank">Fixit Epoxy Clay</a>. There are others as well. But since I've never used it before, I would have to spend the money to try it out - and what if I didn't like it?</p><p>A follower on Instagram gave me a suggestion, and after mulling it over for a bit, I decided to try it. That's coming up in the next post.</p><div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-52188279430238783212022-01-09T16:08:00.004-05:002022-01-15T17:37:43.308-05:00Estes V2 - I Encountered a Fin Fit Problem<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOf0TaKtNf1oJO_XMae90wiEPev6Bqxuy_D5Y_JdpDmHpGDU3H89t9hrEpobvoWF5tKtwWK9n6NMsqs0joblaEV-LBo4Z3w7ypVb7hm83JHquqQJXbJK9vN4Iz6RnzHlEGkJExrfLm3wAVLlmYNWFPpLbkKbwbc7Ouv4dzihM-c0_KMKx8nJMjhV5jQw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOf0TaKtNf1oJO_XMae90wiEPev6Bqxuy_D5Y_JdpDmHpGDU3H89t9hrEpobvoWF5tKtwWK9n6NMsqs0joblaEV-LBo4Z3w7ypVb7hm83JHquqQJXbJK9vN4Iz6RnzHlEGkJExrfLm3wAVLlmYNWFPpLbkKbwbc7Ouv4dzihM-c0_KMKx8nJMjhV5jQw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br />The fins on the V2 don't get glued directly to the outside of the rocket as on most model rockets. The fins have tabs which go through the slots in the boat tail and make contact with the motor tube. It's the fin tab roots which attach to the motor tube. This is called <i>through-the-wall </i>construction, and usually it adds strength to the fin attachment. It's used a lot in high power rocketry.<div><p></p><p>But while test fitting the fins, it became apparent to me that the V2 fin tabs made solid contact with the motor tube on three sides, but on the fourth side, there was a tiny gap. Wood glue is great adhesive for model rockets, but it's not very good at gap filling. To get a strong bond, the two parts have to touch.</p><p>At first, I thought maybe I had installed the motor mount crooked. But looking at the boat tail from the bottom end, it looked like maybe it was slightly out of round. If I gave it a squeeze, I could get the parts to touch.</p><p>So, what to do?</p><p>I could use a thicker adhesive, like epoxy. That would fill the gap, and I could also use it to attach the fin roots to the outside of the plastic boat tail, for extra strength, if I wanted to.</p><p>But I prefer not to use epoxy with paper rockets. For wood to paper, it's no better and adhesive than wood glue, and also, it's heavy. With smaller fins, I want to keep the excess tail weight to a minimum. I'm already likely to use a small amount of epoxy for fillets. So I'd prefer to use wood glue here.</p><p>Then I had the idea - what if I could reshape the boat tail by hand, and get it back to a round shape? I could warm the plastic and try and mold it while it was soft.</p><p>I got out a hair dryer and warmed up the part. I got it so hot I had to use an oven mitt to handle the plastic boat tail.</p><p>The good news is that it worked - sort of. I was able to squeeze it and change the shape, which set when it cooled.
</p><p>The bad news is that I didn't shape it correctly, and the fin still didn't quite touch the motor tube. In fact, I kinda made the boat tail look worse.</p><p>But only slightly, and you have to look closely at the back end to tell. The picture above is the before shot, and I forgot to take an after, but it doesn't look any better.</p><p>So, I'd have to figure out the best way to adhere the fins to the rocket with the boat tail out of round...</p><p>I figured it out and will tell you how it went in the next post.</p><div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div><div><br /></div></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-62286655375310072022-01-04T19:06:00.002-05:002022-01-04T19:06:41.674-05:00Estes V2 - Body Tube<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYj-956aNdd7jbl2wSuC9fVQTO3U1vwOslDQSiOhZLmpM2NmWS-3S_qy5nusx_OAerIMlRhLjGHlIHMVjTqeEG8SQIi4uQJacYNcoczMZd8IB2BGGQ18AV249sdsySt8ZF4oUnb_EnvoxOmpkKpyWBo2CemftR1qo0S67loHsZM_farW7SffobXe33zw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYj-956aNdd7jbl2wSuC9fVQTO3U1vwOslDQSiOhZLmpM2NmWS-3S_qy5nusx_OAerIMlRhLjGHlIHMVjTqeEG8SQIi4uQJacYNcoczMZd8IB2BGGQ18AV249sdsySt8ZF4oUnb_EnvoxOmpkKpyWBo2CemftR1qo0S67loHsZM_farW7SffobXe33zw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p><i>Busy week this week, but here's a brief update on the Estes V2 build.</i></p><p>I decided to use the body tube that came with the Estes V2 after all. The minor stretching of one end won't be noticeable, and I'll use that end for the aft end of the airframe, where the tail cone gets glued in. The snugger end of the body tube will have the nose cone.</p><p>As I usually do, I filled the tube spiral with Elmer's Carpenters Wood Filler. This wide groove filled quite easily, and the tube is so short, it took no time.</p><p>Some people feel you're wasting your time if you fill in tube spirals. Not me - I enjoy the process and the results, and with a scale project like this one, I think there's a stronger argument in favor of doing it.</p><p>But it's a cosmetic thing - if you don't like it, you certainly don't have to bother. Rocketry has a lot of different things to offer as a hobby. You should do the things you like doing, and don't let others' opinions make you feel bad. I've seen plenty of the "that's not how <i>I </i>do it" types of comments in various forums, that I feel the need to make these points whenever I bring up tube spirals.</p><p>I would never call someone out for <i>not</i> filling spirals on their rockets (I've seen someone do that on a forum before). I'd also never tell someone they're wasting their time pursuing some part of the craft I'm not into (which I've also seen). It's your rocket - do as you please.</p><p>My method for filling spirals is <a href="https://rocketn00b.blogspot.com/2015/03/filling-tube-spirals-revisited.html">HERE</a>.</p><div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-48745833353268253662021-12-29T10:51:00.003-05:002022-01-15T17:37:24.745-05:00Estes V2 Chain Drives - Making Your Own Scale Details<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhssNKig0hvTiiAP-hmYc06b1IZrysK8dN6k1XC6quD0lMbRREz0vq6LaMDy_R9eL095JYqkgVRPrUNr_5tNEM9HNMnhhfbDU-Avg9jcaHHsYHJvfHB8PK_-W1_5ts0-H1Vo0LRh1rQXEPevTyuwQ_DkhhzBhzy1OV6hqaipoNqRj9SauUc5dsc4vLXlA=s3742" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1756" data-original-width="3742" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhssNKig0hvTiiAP-hmYc06b1IZrysK8dN6k1XC6quD0lMbRREz0vq6LaMDy_R9eL095JYqkgVRPrUNr_5tNEM9HNMnhhfbDU-Avg9jcaHHsYHJvfHB8PK_-W1_5ts0-H1Vo0LRh1rQXEPevTyuwQ_DkhhzBhzy1OV6hqaipoNqRj9SauUc5dsc4vLXlA=w640-h300" width="640" /></a></div><div><p>Some rocketeers have such good modeling skills, it's intimidating. Scale modelers working on tiny details can make a relative beginner feel like <i>I have no idea how to do that. I'll never be that good.</i> But that doesn't mean you can't try - things might turn out better than you expect, and the only way to get good at it is to do it.</p><p>I decided to try making chain drive covers, or servo pods, for the Estes V2. This isn't part of the kit, and making little parts is a real challenge for me. Tiny stuff frustrates me.</p><p>I decided to see if I could make these little details well enough to bother putting them on the rocket. These were done by eye, without much reference material, apart from some photos on the Internet and Peter Alway's <i>Rockets of the World</i>. I used leftover fin material to cut rough shapes I'd sand into the final form.</p><p>The kit fins are 3/32 inch thick, and these pods are surely not to proper scale. The fin stock is probably too thick, for one thing. They're also probably not shaped just right. But as I said in a previous post, I'm not going to be a stickler for scale accuracy. If they look pretty good and add to the model, that's good enough for me.</p><p>The pods are taller on one end than another. Stack sanding them all to the same shape was tricky. Once they all went flying and I found most of them, but had to cut an extra.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5XCtn2O7fZiVO5fwnQYOpQg43naaQJan0cXiCzWbgCrhz7GfnbiT2L2FR3AvE01NVGUFzsUubjyrVifgTzyb0LBWiZyNRT8kHV22xRgLYgccYZfXWW1e0514EJ7LzAqbz8J6x29dZhir5fU7Ks2u7YnRMC1IVgY83oafmViO3vGRG5J2eeEPaUYTk5Q=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5XCtn2O7fZiVO5fwnQYOpQg43naaQJan0cXiCzWbgCrhz7GfnbiT2L2FR3AvE01NVGUFzsUubjyrVifgTzyb0LBWiZyNRT8kHV22xRgLYgccYZfXWW1e0514EJ7LzAqbz8J6x29dZhir5fU7Ks2u7YnRMC1IVgY83oafmViO3vGRG5J2eeEPaUYTk5Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>After cutting the rough shape out and sanding them all, I began by rounding the ends. Then I carefully rounded them over the tops.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKwWtJqDJDyFao4i8yRijYiCh117BU09c-MjhBgezdevtSY4lJKsbJ55KY9fXahFpj2LB5sC8yXZCB_buAXtVXxHqWb91FiccLP8DUPygkfc2FDaGxSH2_y_17AFOb7R_zUIQdCyMNAwtncEaVJkbny7nmAOehHKc8u8K8N80RvB-l3l9TDg89GqGXeg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKwWtJqDJDyFao4i8yRijYiCh117BU09c-MjhBgezdevtSY4lJKsbJ55KY9fXahFpj2LB5sC8yXZCB_buAXtVXxHqWb91FiccLP8DUPygkfc2FDaGxSH2_y_17AFOb7R_zUIQdCyMNAwtncEaVJkbny7nmAOehHKc8u8K8N80RvB-l3l9TDg89GqGXeg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy46on4qSiRc7Yoxr9LVFay-MJG0nL3uv9OvupGiWSXp0z68-kHgwJWyeyNtigX1Sd5qFWHswDcmkZFY3MJQUKs03JW3P9bSGuCfheUEtiz51XIIWgGFWzATsrGewSRbz0OWv38YsGVZR3_j-Jb5p-Ag0medNBkxCJ4sfMeSxJticXG5oRwTwLRUxKFg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy46on4qSiRc7Yoxr9LVFay-MJG0nL3uv9OvupGiWSXp0z68-kHgwJWyeyNtigX1Sd5qFWHswDcmkZFY3MJQUKs03JW3P9bSGuCfheUEtiz51XIIWgGFWzATsrGewSRbz0OWv38YsGVZR3_j-Jb5p-Ag0medNBkxCJ4sfMeSxJticXG5oRwTwLRUxKFg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdWHEsb5YSsWf8HKWXEuuoaNrByNCqmJHdzt4n_5fQ-GXIG_PLxuVwl29BZEpfUO-Lpfo0qqn7EriR8yg3E3KUp1nJeTWYQJa6BDkrJ8zrgg5rUqpcxp-xEzbGUCzlbhsYGauMJBytuqW3R4IsAaGTzpZbQ7wSBRMl455V5g_yKJ1VhlP_-5IXnh5hPQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdWHEsb5YSsWf8HKWXEuuoaNrByNCqmJHdzt4n_5fQ-GXIG_PLxuVwl29BZEpfUO-Lpfo0qqn7EriR8yg3E3KUp1nJeTWYQJa6BDkrJ8zrgg5rUqpcxp-xEzbGUCzlbhsYGauMJBytuqW3R4IsAaGTzpZbQ7wSBRMl455V5g_yKJ1VhlP_-5IXnh5hPQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>Using a sanding block turned out to be really difficult, so I switched to a scrap of 400 grit sandpaper on my finger to do the rounding.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDnTLlN43W5P_K8U5siWdBXfPfa_KGd_MDPDCiwcyNGilp_cl1FD8I-cdT8W1DeF_k79ZqdpC4gm5fzunLVz6Juh9fbssZvs2kNRXKFjmj8i9azCDSoU0vmPg-MNfr8aQmHbi98MDPeEwsEGpZBEec2ckIq3DK89M30cL9cKH3QQeMJalb3oYSTDYf4Q=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDnTLlN43W5P_K8U5siWdBXfPfa_KGd_MDPDCiwcyNGilp_cl1FD8I-cdT8W1DeF_k79ZqdpC4gm5fzunLVz6Juh9fbssZvs2kNRXKFjmj8i9azCDSoU0vmPg-MNfr8aQmHbi98MDPeEwsEGpZBEec2ckIq3DK89M30cL9cKH3QQeMJalb3oYSTDYf4Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXjXd1LHm0L125pXwtjMBE4kXGogzsenJ1xn5LHjNOQBeWQ-qVQXIHC8aLZr6Cnqh2XUjfnxGwtGNw1RI2iH94FHmp5Y65rXqehDWdeoZupmAB3lCaA7EbTiiXXxh9ysJNWJODMspiVTcDyP76fOBbjqbibF6ECRy9X_G3nKDz2HfWKOim59bEoAmcGA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXjXd1LHm0L125pXwtjMBE4kXGogzsenJ1xn5LHjNOQBeWQ-qVQXIHC8aLZr6Cnqh2XUjfnxGwtGNw1RI2iH94FHmp5Y65rXqehDWdeoZupmAB3lCaA7EbTiiXXxh9ysJNWJODMspiVTcDyP76fOBbjqbibF6ECRy9X_G3nKDz2HfWKOim59bEoAmcGA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>In the close-up photo you can see the imperfections, but really these turned out pretty good.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhG5fly1jp_7UUgBglQPGcHNZ09KZ9CnZe-CLv9byZa-jAJMMqxdYHH5J_WKMXbqvoJxEO4eKjFv6qgVzpMrQoNSNdLs2uSQMNoYaY2iijHPkP5CRaPn3tSDkzqJiJMeeUdduIAbRKL3Idz72_7hmRKNiW2tcZJ9Mc1MKaPW2AL88vH6IZ3eqc0M9AH_Q=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhG5fly1jp_7UUgBglQPGcHNZ09KZ9CnZe-CLv9byZa-jAJMMqxdYHH5J_WKMXbqvoJxEO4eKjFv6qgVzpMrQoNSNdLs2uSQMNoYaY2iijHPkP5CRaPn3tSDkzqJiJMeeUdduIAbRKL3Idz72_7hmRKNiW2tcZJ9Mc1MKaPW2AL88vH6IZ3eqc0M9AH_Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMSSey1dsODfy9cqTA-vxy9A8HdpKR6gaHg3Lux4YNOZiPWJr0_nlSbEje1-UTUz2GR-IR_2vmxCx4GyJ_uUrzSjLnbrNZb-k9T2hPsZNVhmPddlNUfH1wQl1ft16a2Z5rdBwzuvuUfum8EVjVKXT5gu-2CNhXYiTHry97NJ8jO_zMGeZeFp4l8tIQWQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMSSey1dsODfy9cqTA-vxy9A8HdpKR6gaHg3Lux4YNOZiPWJr0_nlSbEje1-UTUz2GR-IR_2vmxCx4GyJ_uUrzSjLnbrNZb-k9T2hPsZNVhmPddlNUfH1wQl1ft16a2Z5rdBwzuvuUfum8EVjVKXT5gu-2CNhXYiTHry97NJ8jO_zMGeZeFp4l8tIQWQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXrVqPJ1W5t6vg8GXO3n1niRE_OrXpMWTjp6YLDraM9prTH6zhb0SfF41C5X9GfvORNlmorQv6Je5pF5c98wZ0IjgUbFOfPmUi4LHadL8OnmRpaosNcZl-bughyXDeeowaQNzBdzSlIKH9KtPTe9gxZqerLvtmAU9wurMkzxUbU_3O1D7rtfEC3NMMLw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXrVqPJ1W5t6vg8GXO3n1niRE_OrXpMWTjp6YLDraM9prTH6zhb0SfF41C5X9GfvORNlmorQv6Je5pF5c98wZ0IjgUbFOfPmUi4LHadL8OnmRpaosNcZl-bughyXDeeowaQNzBdzSlIKH9KtPTe9gxZqerLvtmAU9wurMkzxUbU_3O1D7rtfEC3NMMLw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>Without the extreme close-up, you don't really notice the inconsistency of shape. I decided to try gluing them on</p><p>They turned out great! True, they're not perfectly to scale, but I really feel they add something to my V2.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4ZOwVOyQ_AnkpElZw9bzbdIzGz6FyDWjBIY2sb-VvPW16kx3bTukzMMeQfKjYSWrgTj8nk7l7RVyLRoDugORfUOhlvG0AYUDp_eUMBPIgp805uhGqzvCottS4i4yWByWsn8QUtN82nXO3ePgXVaaFZOc_KrIrCg_FDX1-P2o1FUn4Ywy3UEeK5mZScg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4ZOwVOyQ_AnkpElZw9bzbdIzGz6FyDWjBIY2sb-VvPW16kx3bTukzMMeQfKjYSWrgTj8nk7l7RVyLRoDugORfUOhlvG0AYUDp_eUMBPIgp805uhGqzvCottS4i4yWByWsn8QUtN82nXO3ePgXVaaFZOc_KrIrCg_FDX1-P2o1FUn4Ywy3UEeK5mZScg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>I ended up using Titebond Molding and Trim Glue to attach the pods to the fins. I usually use this white wood glue for fillets, and Titebond II for the rest of the build. But the Molding and Trim Glue worked out better in this case. Its "fast initial tack" helped in that I could place the chain drive pods in place with tweezers, and after a minute or so, press the piece down tight to the wood without it accidentally slipping out of place. Seems like a great choice for a piece you don't want to move around too much after placing it. I might start reaching for this stuff more regularly.</p><p>That said, the answer to the perennial model rocket newbie question "what's the best glue" is "pretty much any white or yellow glue." Even School Glue isn't as bad a choice as some people think (although I wouldn't use it). Use what you want.</p><p>Except for hot glue. Never use hot glue for model rockets.</p><p>After gluing these on, I ran two layers of Titebond Molding and Trim Glue fillets all the way around them. This will help make the pods look like a single piece with the fins, and hide any edges where the glue doesn't go all the way to the edge - so there won't be a visible gap when you paint.</p><div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-14455001665071509262021-12-27T13:51:00.000-05:002021-12-27T13:51:13.448-05:00Estes V2 vs. Spacemonkey Models - Comparing Two Scale Fins<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgY3QwC3vUdn9T6IzZWxZH13QjOpR4Nlxzs9GQVW44FVePhxKDB6wowAbDCzZwRxlSVmbOrKchGW7HwuIJzFHJMV2bBeTo1tQ_O5AL5ZeI7RiBH_XJFFpJn0lSmefePYpkE0WO2_FhSdJyW-kbR_y6NCunkiPu6uJNrqOMoRERbiZ5ffC7kI1y1hm1NFw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgY3QwC3vUdn9T6IzZWxZH13QjOpR4Nlxzs9GQVW44FVePhxKDB6wowAbDCzZwRxlSVmbOrKchGW7HwuIJzFHJMV2bBeTo1tQ_O5AL5ZeI7RiBH_XJFFpJn0lSmefePYpkE0WO2_FhSdJyW-kbR_y6NCunkiPu6uJNrqOMoRERbiZ5ffC7kI1y1hm1NFw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I got out a fin set for the Spacemonkey Models V2 static model kit to use for reference. Here is the fin compared to the Estes version after I modified the fins. The scale is almost identical.</p><p>The <a href="https://spacemonkey-models.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">Spacemonkey Models V2 (Click here to visit the website)</a> is reportedly the most accurate scale model of the V-2 missile, and it comes with four decal sets for different paint jobs. It's a static model - meaning it doesn't fly, just sits on the shelf and looks great. But there is a static model conversion kit sold by Apogee Components, so you can have a fantastic scale flying model (<a href="https://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket-Kits/Skill-Level-3-Model-Rocket-Kits/V-2-Conversion-Kit" target="_blank">Click here for the conversion kit</a>).</p><p>James Duffy, the international award winning spacemodeling rocketeer, runs Spacemonkey Models. His YouTube channel, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSW7iZuiJ-zvfYUDheZG2MQ" target="_blank">rocket.aero</a>, is am incredible resource for for information on certain historic rockets and missiles. He sent me the Spacemonkey kit, along with the Apogee conversion kit. He also created the fin template for cutting the Estes kit fins to scale.
</p><p>You can see how the template fits perfectly on the Spacemonkey fin.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7iaZ_eKog3o2zQa7YgOjNbHbHjfvhiHLjF7Gpokp3uq47zhyBAMlwInhyLqhW2eN3v2-iwdJswsJJTwGXMDYW6GEcvXQJG4tk-HjVci3G8kV2uVzx2VCI9Kv_1SLubKFYX9Yr01vpWSZiRODG1Zp9ZljjuCSiHMtKN7J--LRNIzCoJXSLrwbg8BNsEg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7iaZ_eKog3o2zQa7YgOjNbHbHjfvhiHLjF7Gpokp3uq47zhyBAMlwInhyLqhW2eN3v2-iwdJswsJJTwGXMDYW6GEcvXQJG4tk-HjVci3G8kV2uVzx2VCI9Kv_1SLubKFYX9Yr01vpWSZiRODG1Zp9ZljjuCSiHMtKN7J--LRNIzCoJXSLrwbg8BNsEg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>I wanted to look at the fin to get an idea of what the chain drive covers should look like, as I might as well try to make them. If they turn out bad, I'll just leave them off the model.</p>
<div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-70132974554373345062021-12-25T10:46:00.003-05:002021-12-25T10:46:27.261-05:00Happy Holidays<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEid8gQ0BZyzaXfQKCwDcS7nngXh6YBHu9ztGTNgPT3JLLmQDdl7nsxr58zPprSeFl6YcRTnKQY163IkSdtDLVqcUYWR9q_S8gsDZe6vP9wxpYoQmhuprV4vThtOknKienP5Fn-zrsufcdnNwptMIfvTFYJD48A-94jq8H8lyDV7jgaV07KwlmWGv_PC7A=s5673" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3818" data-original-width="5673" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEid8gQ0BZyzaXfQKCwDcS7nngXh6YBHu9ztGTNgPT3JLLmQDdl7nsxr58zPprSeFl6YcRTnKQY163IkSdtDLVqcUYWR9q_S8gsDZe6vP9wxpYoQmhuprV4vThtOknKienP5Fn-zrsufcdnNwptMIfvTFYJD48A-94jq8H8lyDV7jgaV07KwlmWGv_PC7A=w640-h430" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-75668605944228006962021-12-23T12:10:00.005-05:002021-12-27T13:46:13.339-05:00Estes V2 - Shaping the Fins for "Scale-Like" Look<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZ_nISADNzRS1xN6bgNaivQoE6NBsvkDV8ykK2cih148FIw0SO3AG0m8HYWgIBSP-mF3k1Hzw3O5-3Or1JXjVoMLjJg17VLl1yM8RN-o6JqfnXj8r-cwZe2ynfhCYqV3AaqysSo8yQ8RH0dU2iKHqlYfeqIcH8TVtSK3DwXtJTPkGU-yEIhKYPrK7Xfw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZ_nISADNzRS1xN6bgNaivQoE6NBsvkDV8ykK2cih148FIw0SO3AG0m8HYWgIBSP-mF3k1Hzw3O5-3Or1JXjVoMLjJg17VLl1yM8RN-o6JqfnXj8r-cwZe2ynfhCYqV3AaqysSo8yQ8RH0dU2iKHqlYfeqIcH8TVtSK3DwXtJTPkGU-yEIhKYPrK7Xfw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>This tool is called a sewing gauge. I find it indispensable for rocket building. Whenever I want to shape fins, whether it's to make a simple beveled edge or a full-on airfoil, I reach for this.
</p><p>I use the sewing gauge to determine and mark how far from the leading edges (and trailing edges, if I'm doing them too) to sand my bevel.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmv7hWiuuDzSf8TTn8KXM3n_bpyavk-X5_PwnqPuF66mmzq9LuH0aGN7W75qs76VAAZriBP5zYcVWAlDR1UWKW1CUYt1RO0xiQQUz6M-wLAgAfoT8L6cDTk9O6G7qUP5C0M24w8bExwVR4A7iKFxtbhb0SoGUbC4zxCMUstS9dcWeshgr5oZQ3wxvLzw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmv7hWiuuDzSf8TTn8KXM3n_bpyavk-X5_PwnqPuF66mmzq9LuH0aGN7W75qs76VAAZriBP5zYcVWAlDR1UWKW1CUYt1RO0xiQQUz6M-wLAgAfoT8L6cDTk9O6G7qUP5C0M24w8bExwVR4A7iKFxtbhb0SoGUbC4zxCMUstS9dcWeshgr5oZQ3wxvLzw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>I make a couple of marks on the fin, and then use a ruler to connect those marks with a pencil line.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhP-qbxi4SIZiBFkwM-vqFxF_YJnHrezqDpZTg4dPz0qFvTGFw_T_DoTSmxP1YHRbCjWWk2saRQsfIQNagaqoIHHFLX9GQbqAfpTGzCdI5T7gSMC1AKWh16bRLf9ma72PFXftHcumwLAyHuUHtLmTliwXPV6H1TXJ0UfPrT6EGFhR_mGYjVp0LcEOZLdg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhP-qbxi4SIZiBFkwM-vqFxF_YJnHrezqDpZTg4dPz0qFvTGFw_T_DoTSmxP1YHRbCjWWk2saRQsfIQNagaqoIHHFLX9GQbqAfpTGzCdI5T7gSMC1AKWh16bRLf9ma72PFXftHcumwLAyHuUHtLmTliwXPV6H1TXJ0UfPrT6EGFhR_mGYjVp0LcEOZLdg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>The instructions for the V2 say to round the leading edges of the fins. I prefer to make them more elliptical than to give a semicircular cross section. It's been a long time since I've seen a real V-2 missile in person, but I feel this is going to at least give the impression of being more scale accurate.</p><p>I'm not going to be a stickler for scale detail here. I think the actual shape of the V-2 fins were tapered and perhaps beveled into some kind of airfoil at the leading and trailing edges. The only reference I have is Peter Alway's Rockets of the World, which is a great book. But some of the finer details are kept simple.</p><p>But, even if you don't have all the details, or the skills or knowledge to make a scale project "contest-perfect" in scale detail, doesn't mean you can't make it a <i>little</i> <i>better</i>.</p><p>Anyway, once I determined where I wanted the bevel to start, I sand it by eye back to that point. I do not try to get a "knife's edge." I bevel slightly and then round the leading edge.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEWwTxN4kAvRx_H5iOoqV_9VHRpC_HSuZUHAq8CAmWSK_IRCLGO9R6z2v8r9GUlm5BaBCyayLnF2Q7wc3aGYQgP7K7wEc3-CYKEO1jCb7saU7-5LMP2igbBBHApSoDAO_dgjnrOwpagAByqqHY4wV-gkSQiIttnMwtnyEA156u6kcJFZtx8wchFb4rLA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEWwTxN4kAvRx_H5iOoqV_9VHRpC_HSuZUHAq8CAmWSK_IRCLGO9R6z2v8r9GUlm5BaBCyayLnF2Q7wc3aGYQgP7K7wEc3-CYKEO1jCb7saU7-5LMP2igbBBHApSoDAO_dgjnrOwpagAByqqHY4wV-gkSQiIttnMwtnyEA156u6kcJFZtx8wchFb4rLA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>I like the effect, and don't find it terribly difficult to get a consistent result.</p><div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-82344687552488542142021-12-21T12:03:00.001-05:002021-12-23T12:36:17.049-05:00Estes V2 - Cutting the Fins to Scale<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJX5B9tbA4QBNvD5AZHu-95SwJPI1K7ZPWA9Tnqwdaro-UhCM1ofCyemkDfEaiOGUx_S-lGYuasUA-2vlRWjEJmUg9Qn-5AKVe-7UKXKhv0VTroMOA4SUOyWUk_okULVcXxQVAeo2SN4wXPQdqkoCHnY7bPGejSlE6r1sM5qEBhao0DFJsqPH6DPEviA=s4031" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2466" data-original-width="4031" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJX5B9tbA4QBNvD5AZHu-95SwJPI1K7ZPWA9Tnqwdaro-UhCM1ofCyemkDfEaiOGUx_S-lGYuasUA-2vlRWjEJmUg9Qn-5AKVe-7UKXKhv0VTroMOA4SUOyWUk_okULVcXxQVAeo2SN4wXPQdqkoCHnY7bPGejSlE6r1sM5qEBhao0DFJsqPH6DPEviA=w640-h392" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The fins on the Estes V2 are large - significantly larger than scale. This is for stability.</p><p>The original V2 missile required a payload of 2,000 pounds in order to remain stable in flight. When the warhead was removed and the rocket was used to carry research payloads as an early sounding rocket, additional ballast had to be added to the rocket to make up the difference between the mass of the research payload and the warhead.
</p><p>For model rockets, many "scale" kits are actually semi-scale, with a major difference between the prototype and the model being fin size. Saturn V is a good example - a flying model Saturn V will almost always have oversized fins.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-X57_BSY-6afnkv_gVfeIx_HBZ3MqiKu_v6Q9jfwHrN-7XvHdM6c0vr0ZpvGoUwmXPacVJl8DS8AqF9CD5j7ytG80htoMJOvTQW32ay0YCTwvc052ytPVlI3sDTaTxa4G3y59vrnFpuqhBVYxCCt5bAuRwAt9kTRasBUVBZBDRkKR2Wa8_McdTrW0zg=s2152" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="2152" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-X57_BSY-6afnkv_gVfeIx_HBZ3MqiKu_v6Q9jfwHrN-7XvHdM6c0vr0ZpvGoUwmXPacVJl8DS8AqF9CD5j7ytG80htoMJOvTQW32ay0YCTwvc052ytPVlI3sDTaTxa4G3y59vrnFpuqhBVYxCCt5bAuRwAt9kTRasBUVBZBDRkKR2Wa8_McdTrW0zg=w640-h438" width="640" /></a></div><p>The V2 fins can be cut down for a model which is closer to scale. A PDF of a fin template can be found in the files section of the National Association of Rocketry Facebook group. It's also been posted on The Rocketry Forum (<a href="https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/a-few-estes-v2-questions.161029/#post-2032255" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to go to the post).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsjTOg8EmfBcL8nzZELh7U74IjM-1yZUMlZrLpr3GBYJrg0NtWugUllQJnaDvBakcj01616To5foTNlc-CkwAFbuQLzsQuO8fWei0tOqXNqYC_JoqILZO-Gu5gnaZmXvnEDJMa0yhXxWWynKshyn9MSJUxk8taYVgJIc5IRL-wXDL3lHa3e18x6WZtSQ=s3990" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2255" data-original-width="3990" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsjTOg8EmfBcL8nzZELh7U74IjM-1yZUMlZrLpr3GBYJrg0NtWugUllQJnaDvBakcj01616To5foTNlc-CkwAFbuQLzsQuO8fWei0tOqXNqYC_JoqILZO-Gu5gnaZmXvnEDJMa0yhXxWWynKshyn9MSJUxk8taYVgJIc5IRL-wXDL3lHa3e18x6WZtSQ=w640-h362" width="640" /></a></div><p>Estes typically designs its rockets with a static margin of at least 1.5 caliber. That is, the center of gravity is forward of the center of pressure by at least 1.5 times the diameter of the body tube. For stability, a rocket should have a static margin of at least 1 caliber.</p><p>With a 1.5 caliber margin of stability, an Estes kit can tolerate some variability in building - they know some people might use epoxy for adhesive and fin fillets. But whenever you significantly modify a kit, whether it's putting in a larger motor mount for D or E motors instead of C, or adding a booster to make a two-stage rocket, or as in this case, reducing fin size for scale purposes, you MUST check stability.</p><p>The V2 will probably need a little extra nose weight. The rocket is probably slightly overstable when built stock, but as you can see from the photo at the top of this post, I'm cutting of a good bit of material here. Reducing the fin span this much will move the center of pressure forward.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSNGmFusvD1e7Qe0vV1YNTIfgB94iKrU_VKXgiBEikb6DqQARggNmr642UmaPmK-IeMQp5HMnVK-TVk8OGFLamQsYIWsTknQrhISsmZnA8LT8JTQBSU3oElTiCD0V-3tGlUPHtLEaNm-WHLDY0dttSpfj8mTqlxW449bx-Y_2jv8tctcnJJP8ubq6euA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSNGmFusvD1e7Qe0vV1YNTIfgB94iKrU_VKXgiBEikb6DqQARggNmr642UmaPmK-IeMQp5HMnVK-TVk8OGFLamQsYIWsTknQrhISsmZnA8LT8JTQBSU3oElTiCD0V-3tGlUPHtLEaNm-WHLDY0dttSpfj8mTqlxW449bx-Y_2jv8tctcnJJP8ubq6euA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>I printed the PDF on card stock and cut out the template. You can see how well it fit the contour of the tail cone.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmZ5A5WVjAIZ3aGH2z5oGo7ooFbhn7qv-ERM-gEgX15XhXpxjPx8zLW3bwmZVA7tVbipwy1G2hADshDoDlgHW41Un8qUcUrtV8bCSZMC2VYr1ygVj2d8tZOW81-snJY9Adxt6y302sgtYi5k8GHgX1NjEWnDh-t90VSzIyRPQ_ZJ2QPol1fMYbiBK_yA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmZ5A5WVjAIZ3aGH2z5oGo7ooFbhn7qv-ERM-gEgX15XhXpxjPx8zLW3bwmZVA7tVbipwy1G2hADshDoDlgHW41Un8qUcUrtV8bCSZMC2VYr1ygVj2d8tZOW81-snJY9Adxt6y302sgtYi5k8GHgX1NjEWnDh-t90VSzIyRPQ_ZJ2QPol1fMYbiBK_yA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>There is a small slot in the template for adding a chain drive pod, if you want to add a scale detail. It would be a small part, and at this point, I haven't decided if I'll make them. Small parts can be hard to get right, and I'd rather be happy with what I can do than ruin a model with a detail I could just as easily skip.</p><p>The template was close, but not an exact match for the kit fin. I lined up the leading edges as my reference point, and traced the new tip edge onto the fin.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_sODt_aMzEImN8vllMm-7clpzEgqcIP-YiUXqm07NIPxTyVuNDXRC2CndJ6DuVYxNTrlnCZBzsXS39VEirNnDqy6eq_M7rmM7r6SfbdC-Ipx3FaJNUpzxCmkxM3-r-EKW9uJHu543eR5IYWtUzsp1IQIsPTxQz1XBZj7MAPuCfFYymEQbQoP7jd-mjA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_sODt_aMzEImN8vllMm-7clpzEgqcIP-YiUXqm07NIPxTyVuNDXRC2CndJ6DuVYxNTrlnCZBzsXS39VEirNnDqy6eq_M7rmM7r6SfbdC-Ipx3FaJNUpzxCmkxM3-r-EKW9uJHu543eR5IYWtUzsp1IQIsPTxQz1XBZj7MAPuCfFYymEQbQoP7jd-mjA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>That the trailing edges differed slightly didn't bother me, and trying to "fix" them might ruin them. I don't even know for sure that the PDF template is actually more correct, and nobody will notice.</p><p>I'm not going to be a stickler for scale. There are plenty of scale details I probably don't have the skills to execute without making a mess of things, so I don't plan on researching and fixing the exact contours of the aft edges of the V2 missile. But cutting fins down so they're closer to the right size - that, I can do.</p><p>I used my favorite hobby knife for cutting fin material - this oddball one from Fiskars, which I love.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBikzCMsc__6WUdPn5EYbszrj1aNK5sp-XL19NZpL2DRd3cwCdmUjAiH3SzYZLLOcRlgXg5so4B5WvEN0t_7NuhHbZ5avGLShEmZxi0lUMNzufJDovaRpKueS6-wD8ve_fDosFPUvQB9fYau6wEBHYQhcgwdeTsXsDm83qOsQy4D-ydzSFKxjQoUKisA=s1269" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1269" data-original-width="1268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBikzCMsc__6WUdPn5EYbszrj1aNK5sp-XL19NZpL2DRd3cwCdmUjAiH3SzYZLLOcRlgXg5so4B5WvEN0t_7NuhHbZ5avGLShEmZxi0lUMNzufJDovaRpKueS6-wD8ve_fDosFPUvQB9fYau6wEBHYQhcgwdeTsXsDm83qOsQy4D-ydzSFKxjQoUKisA=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><p>Because it wraps around my index finger, I find I get a much better cut, vertically, right through the wood. I have a lot less sanding to do to square up the edges.</p><p>A side-by-side comparison shows how different the corrected fins look from the kit fins.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu73sIdzQ6DzrRlz-Jfrrq-Lj56f49DfwmfKfXJrlUiyfPDH1NYL9yLLxJ1uYzuLmhJvUhc2LIux2ziuCMKxqBanim7A2MQdgFLfeyodP7P93a55l8izKlxxRru96r9tME75CmcIjEdncvhQsP4tQdE5pYErO_OAPkKgz5QUDGt7U_q4HKezMo7ynEMw=s1440" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu73sIdzQ6DzrRlz-Jfrrq-Lj56f49DfwmfKfXJrlUiyfPDH1NYL9yLLxJ1uYzuLmhJvUhc2LIux2ziuCMKxqBanim7A2MQdgFLfeyodP7P93a55l8izKlxxRru96r9tME75CmcIjEdncvhQsP4tQdE5pYErO_OAPkKgz5QUDGt7U_q4HKezMo7ynEMw=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><p>For a more consistent cut, I used the first corrected fin as my template to trace onto the other fins, since I could match up all the edges.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEip_7CP0Dnav1G-5KmUkVu2-zq5KFwovJAnqwivnG0_nEt4E8zmPgcwIan2MYnp7ZJwrxAKSh9PquYPavvszRnwPa6nrnacVb0gW--PEUh_AIo39KFfTrkAomeST3BXNC4W5KStC5ZiMTRpY-kaivdhpgr-At6JkjLmioyQeFVcJcFUlJDkVIWGOlUQ2w=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEip_7CP0Dnav1G-5KmUkVu2-zq5KFwovJAnqwivnG0_nEt4E8zmPgcwIan2MYnp7ZJwrxAKSh9PquYPavvszRnwPa6nrnacVb0gW--PEUh_AIo39KFfTrkAomeST3BXNC4W5KStC5ZiMTRpY-kaivdhpgr-At6JkjLmioyQeFVcJcFUlJDkVIWGOlUQ2w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></p><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-3852821844007999312021-12-18T22:02:00.003-05:002021-12-19T12:38:58.861-05:00Estes V2 - Prepping the Boat Tail<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJNDi-lpzokovSAliMqy6MU2yIMXtHNcKAGY8rCSKy1M8pivFJIn2291pwZ2VCFLbXLSUBH_gUrWxlYzCR4ofvo4b7nml35BFhkWwGK5_wuOFLPbs_xVcQWH_dvi_TqFFMIV1JtPn_c5zjLKIpDdan2-GcqHIUqfJacWS3RLgVSuiLMG85v73tr2Y1Nw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJNDi-lpzokovSAliMqy6MU2yIMXtHNcKAGY8rCSKy1M8pivFJIn2291pwZ2VCFLbXLSUBH_gUrWxlYzCR4ofvo4b7nml35BFhkWwGK5_wuOFLPbs_xVcQWH_dvi_TqFFMIV1JtPn_c5zjLKIpDdan2-GcqHIUqfJacWS3RLgVSuiLMG85v73tr2Y1Nw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The boat tail for the Estes V2 is one solid plastic piece, which needs to have certain parts removed. The front and back ends are capped, and have to be opened up, and the long nubs down the sides are where the fin tabs go, after you turn those nubs into slots.</p><p>Instructions suggest using a hobby knife for these cuts. You certainly could do that, but it would take some patience. You'd want to use a brand new blade. Go slowly and don't press too hard.</p><p>It would be easy to get impatient and try to cut deeper. The problem with that is that your blade may slip, causing you to gouge the model. Worse, you might break the tip of the blade, sending a tiny bit of razor sharp steel flying. If that got in your eye... Maybe not a bad idea to wear goggles.</p><p>I tried it with a hobby knife at first, just to see how it would be. My blade went off course for a second, scoring a groove in the plastic where I hadn't meant to cut. And each time I tried going over that part again, my blade simply followed the newly cut channel.</p><p>I ditched the hobby knife.</p><p>I am pretty sure I saw a version of the instructions for this rocket which suggested a razor saw instead of the hobby knife. This turned out to be perfect - faster, less frustrating, and I think less likely to cause injury!</p><p>Whichever tool you use to cut plastic parts like this, the key is to go slowly, and let the tool do the work. With a hobby knife, that means using a new blade to start with, and doing pass after pass with the tip of the blade, allowing the cuts to get deeper and deeper. It may seem like you're not making progress at first, but before long, you'll be surprised that you break through.</p><p>With a razor saw, that means a quick, back and forth sawing motion <i>without applying too much pressure</i>. Once you start to cut through the plastic, you will be able to cut much faster.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe1SXKvUoCkKYMtd_wLZREAP36fkmssKZb9jZnoWmDg9gU4ZARk2FNbb0-NskVHjFmtYrfYgSfwPVv9r9FJfFykJ6ybu2cGvyvLIzEJQ2hBls-9M5qJaEAeSSHIlAJgDZPVWfRtUcp0BB95K2X3ZfPJbYVZWTEbuiVsDOPvArwqTrzTBCKELepq2zhnQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe1SXKvUoCkKYMtd_wLZREAP36fkmssKZb9jZnoWmDg9gU4ZARk2FNbb0-NskVHjFmtYrfYgSfwPVv9r9FJfFykJ6ybu2cGvyvLIzEJQ2hBls-9M5qJaEAeSSHIlAJgDZPVWfRtUcp0BB95K2X3ZfPJbYVZWTEbuiVsDOPvArwqTrzTBCKELepq2zhnQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The forward and aft caps came off, and the rough cuts were cleaned up with some 220 grit sandpaper.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuK9ldm-ozkWhibaX05c_oSZWbAgyz3hNi986HL8qBYyPedCysT4_KIxUrxVveJtJEQlqvcLZpPkLrm3LjqO4uQMU79I6ubDd_exjv1hv-l3ojCmFeY7Ukb0ZjJifFzp8XfKKaf39dPd9rHho04Am9MUfDoKPIiBupUVDUMqpRFbsg43zslotm-iKH_w=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuK9ldm-ozkWhibaX05c_oSZWbAgyz3hNi986HL8qBYyPedCysT4_KIxUrxVveJtJEQlqvcLZpPkLrm3LjqO4uQMU79I6ubDd_exjv1hv-l3ojCmFeY7Ukb0ZjJifFzp8XfKKaf39dPd9rHho04Am9MUfDoKPIiBupUVDUMqpRFbsg43zslotm-iKH_w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6z_L85OJ5dijCtl40Ey4Z_n23sONqHdhjG84witdFv7_kapGWM8Y_Bb5JF7tVMy8Pvg8U4GJ30Gntn6o0M6xrtB3UeUNcsHbwIoWkrdR9bPRQSelxTmRSfsYd6nevW4VKyBR_yMQHb6BaHOkWEDslgnUzrzDaYhajIU02jlAJPGFRAlw8sVDK-qbg4w=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6z_L85OJ5dijCtl40Ey4Z_n23sONqHdhjG84witdFv7_kapGWM8Y_Bb5JF7tVMy8Pvg8U4GJ30Gntn6o0M6xrtB3UeUNcsHbwIoWkrdR9bPRQSelxTmRSfsYd6nevW4VKyBR_yMQHb6BaHOkWEDslgnUzrzDaYhajIU02jlAJPGFRAlw8sVDK-qbg4w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>The long fin slot nubs came off pretty easily.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXIHPe7gCX6xhCF5x-ImkbwHLT50AQSK0xh1bkrHfGjzm1K_C9jZlqThMkASPh3evanxACL0jn8IEMsVC_tsUD8lwYgGOBFZ1pKKm2YjsqRfuxCAaB2qGognJvMG2KTU522kJg8aKbbUK2ycJZpgjrLywkW899A0p0v7EhGAtutC1b_Of9V71gSGi9oQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXIHPe7gCX6xhCF5x-ImkbwHLT50AQSK0xh1bkrHfGjzm1K_C9jZlqThMkASPh3evanxACL0jn8IEMsVC_tsUD8lwYgGOBFZ1pKKm2YjsqRfuxCAaB2qGognJvMG2KTU522kJg8aKbbUK2ycJZpgjrLywkW899A0p0v7EhGAtutC1b_Of9V71gSGi9oQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiS_nQnNyujjiieDd_OmB7cHq58YESm-FY9ZxvLDBKAk7d0pyW-1I4BTbURN80Hqc_H1pPku80c6pd5mzfw2HM2Q-vr7K-_oIavDhaUr-5bty3GB0v4eq7OY1v6uINTK87kTyR0QiOLl5OC6HrbCdW3Qma9BBuKKmj5IY9uB80E2c9c7tlmTMgnaGP6fQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiS_nQnNyujjiieDd_OmB7cHq58YESm-FY9ZxvLDBKAk7d0pyW-1I4BTbURN80Hqc_H1pPku80c6pd5mzfw2HM2Q-vr7K-_oIavDhaUr-5bty3GB0v4eq7OY1v6uINTK87kTyR0QiOLl5OC6HrbCdW3Qma9BBuKKmj5IY9uB80E2c9c7tlmTMgnaGP6fQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>I was then able to widen the slots and clean them up with a hobby knife. Once you're through, shaving off extra is pretty easy with a blade.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqCCIwEYqNGdTz2p3_Fss6rY3FX-HRibkB1RsoO4UEMFXFygnyRulyowkbKCJln8OIuszMgyleNLhLO7Vb_8p3PcoD-Wt97qOErozOjR-tPoSsuJvQU4c3cNZCNCspOc66E9BiC9EWwUo0ibAq_cocw1BICOue1g_qVZhxjPmBw6issv4LZ46imouHGA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqCCIwEYqNGdTz2p3_Fss6rY3FX-HRibkB1RsoO4UEMFXFygnyRulyowkbKCJln8OIuszMgyleNLhLO7Vb_8p3PcoD-Wt97qOErozOjR-tPoSsuJvQU4c3cNZCNCspOc66E9BiC9EWwUo0ibAq_cocw1BICOue1g_qVZhxjPmBw6issv4LZ46imouHGA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>Using a hobby knife, an emory board, and some 150 grit sandpaper, I was able to widen the slots until the fins could be dry fitted into them, and sand down what was left of the nubs so that they don't keep the fins from going all the way in.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb-aT4UWHfkjGJVqE8PDJzpw4CzpjEZ8ctOYTUYPL8XhlI15Mjp5nRbUkR9PqAaBPwZtVvonM3JdyZOl7TdHj9Jri9kmulcfOxttVoFy2DT82XxrgS_oNTGqRE3JLBxScAuEqk-5wEg0SP2-Tcs_i4hfPqYg10zBofwqJB8sNf1Klzy9_I-WmKWvNqOw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb-aT4UWHfkjGJVqE8PDJzpw4CzpjEZ8ctOYTUYPL8XhlI15Mjp5nRbUkR9PqAaBPwZtVvonM3JdyZOl7TdHj9Jri9kmulcfOxttVoFy2DT82XxrgS_oNTGqRE3JLBxScAuEqk-5wEg0SP2-Tcs_i4hfPqYg10zBofwqJB8sNf1Klzy9_I-WmKWvNqOw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>When I was done, I dry fit the fins into the slot.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVvhClHyR-McQ15t9jXyh-uKF-6fWg3dsZj__6G3ZKOybG08dru7ubF_P4vshB4PnrwrRF6SfENw0dDFcLkSXkIJiOkHpTSUsB7VSyQnoq3rZorkdEyMXI-yFLIOf_PLiva6ZCzWJhiQaFFj69m4irfyx1HyTCyatxcz8R_KkR1q8k69Cj_xkiLb3Y9w=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVvhClHyR-McQ15t9jXyh-uKF-6fWg3dsZj__6G3ZKOybG08dru7ubF_P4vshB4PnrwrRF6SfENw0dDFcLkSXkIJiOkHpTSUsB7VSyQnoq3rZorkdEyMXI-yFLIOf_PLiva6ZCzWJhiQaFFj69m4irfyx1HyTCyatxcz8R_KkR1q8k69Cj_xkiLb3Y9w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p><i>That's pretty sharp</i>, I thought. <i>That actually looks like a V-2 missile!</i></p><p><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></p><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div><div><br /></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-26078066224856863282021-12-13T16:03:00.002-05:002021-12-13T16:03:32.281-05:00Super Big Bertha - Prepping the Payload for Altimeters<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgf3VxHuFm9-6rcqrwwgpwlQSf2q2MoGgI-VkDm5Wa_v8bCTO4hyM3xdgx_qSnxtmvaJEJBnv2SEFRDaV8TA90h9rF7uWpzo3SSnpy2aP1ymRV6AcNUlzw5QX-wHe3CvEkreX75HknVv3ZnR_cPyWqKh3vPUt50W4j5XldJ_9ZnYbVk776a7cMkmZWrLg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2615" data-original-width="4032" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgf3VxHuFm9-6rcqrwwgpwlQSf2q2MoGgI-VkDm5Wa_v8bCTO4hyM3xdgx_qSnxtmvaJEJBnv2SEFRDaV8TA90h9rF7uWpzo3SSnpy2aP1ymRV6AcNUlzw5QX-wHe3CvEkreX75HknVv3ZnR_cPyWqKh3vPUt50W4j5XldJ_9ZnYbVk776a7cMkmZWrLg=w640-h416" width="640" /></a></div><p>To fly an altimeter in the payload section of the #estesrockets Super Big Bertha #modelrocket, the payload really should be vented using static ports. This will allow the payload section to depressurize as the rocket ascends, so the altimeter can correctly read the air pressure outside the rocket and determine altitude.</p><p>Some people, including some very knowledgable rocketeers with experience in using altimeters for competition rocketry, claim payload sections don't necessarily need venting. There is often leakage of air pressure through places like the nose cone shoulder. But this one is quite airtight - the nose cone pops quite loudly when I pull it off. So I'm going to assume altimeters aren't psychic, and add static ports - it can't hurt.</p><p>I usually put three static ports on three-finned rockets and four on four-finned models. I don't know why - I just prefer things to match, I suppose. Longtime readers know I can be a fussy builder. It's your hobby - build it the way you like.</p><p>After consulting several static port calculators online, I determined I would need four 1/8 inch static ports on the Bertha. It's best to have them far from the nose cone. The joint between the nose and body tube can increase turbulent airflow over the ports if they are near the nose, and this may affect the accuracy of the reading the altimeter takes. So I drilled them near the bottom, through both the tube and the coupler.</p><p>I marked the spots first in pencil, then with a push pin, and finally drilled them out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifdOoZd8bV1yM-Iqyde9Y7__OX_Pqb07YmlutDk1amA_mHvsqaoJnSiqrwgmny7SuuSOZHDX72W9RcdDxxUypk6i_L-0wNAfaZ69-PSpwt3AQ8mv9oY0eSQCf6vG5FjRKVZi6R_HnWgc4xuDpxQdZ3pDxwlchF3AvddjJ5MvtD79kDL2r7WfeLFoZt9g=s1440" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifdOoZd8bV1yM-Iqyde9Y7__OX_Pqb07YmlutDk1amA_mHvsqaoJnSiqrwgmny7SuuSOZHDX72W9RcdDxxUypk6i_L-0wNAfaZ69-PSpwt3AQ8mv9oY0eSQCf6vG5FjRKVZi6R_HnWgc4xuDpxQdZ3pDxwlchF3AvddjJ5MvtD79kDL2r7WfeLFoZt9g=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><p>The drill will leave some jagged bits around the hole. Static ports should be smooth and round on the outside to reduce turbulence.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjugCrtmZjuSBp-tMKI_JDsSm32riA2f8dwUE1aTH4I06yRphM59P5mcEhxkH3EjX1eXe7wrcho32M3hV1F03391RfY_ZxLIWUDHQ5gCTQkZcyJW0ZsfUdzth7GZ9y3ErpZLl8O9mfaS_fcxgnJvgItdUZmoX3tCfhu1kuoDwyw5YvHrX2vmQmLB9vR-w=s1440" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjugCrtmZjuSBp-tMKI_JDsSm32riA2f8dwUE1aTH4I06yRphM59P5mcEhxkH3EjX1eXe7wrcho32M3hV1F03391RfY_ZxLIWUDHQ5gCTQkZcyJW0ZsfUdzth7GZ9y3ErpZLl8O9mfaS_fcxgnJvgItdUZmoX3tCfhu1kuoDwyw5YvHrX2vmQmLB9vR-w=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><p>To smooth the holes, wick some water thin CA glue into the drill hole. Once it's cured, you can sand the opening smooth and clean up the hole with the drill bit.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKca7XANgdk-oJV3yntyLa_ADIPHo6swZ8dzTlyulLI-zJPOYH3KhtqhjpJ5VbA4FqE9KXRtPU2FcV1OakkFJm9Pq6zYFxZMbsbR_a6--qocOJwUFygz_UlgLjSyDBbdThYeiTwNT-aN-_a_NGHAuvtiMGKN51Z0JAZFGGx-7qsrYJv4pdIEE_UTGSEg=s1440" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKca7XANgdk-oJV3yntyLa_ADIPHo6swZ8dzTlyulLI-zJPOYH3KhtqhjpJ5VbA4FqE9KXRtPU2FcV1OakkFJm9Pq6zYFxZMbsbR_a6--qocOJwUFygz_UlgLjSyDBbdThYeiTwNT-aN-_a_NGHAuvtiMGKN51Z0JAZFGGx-7qsrYJv4pdIEE_UTGSEg=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After sanding the outside smooth, there's a bit of jagged paper left in the static port.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT25AfbTekVxacS9wk2YaDd44cTxfy11vWjSpYRa7YrSVkIMEBLWVzg9FSNv0UJQRe992bZL2v4tJugZ8ZBVX1e01JF4NfPa3SFsCENXYSTB61kqcEfL9Hy0_10_Y1t17b0h5vHYr9g2Kb8XaSn24OU9fv_JtG-FzI5tc2_MIxR3DD6L0T0lCW-74nDg=s1440" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT25AfbTekVxacS9wk2YaDd44cTxfy11vWjSpYRa7YrSVkIMEBLWVzg9FSNv0UJQRe992bZL2v4tJugZ8ZBVX1e01JF4NfPa3SFsCENXYSTB61kqcEfL9Hy0_10_Y1t17b0h5vHYr9g2Kb8XaSn24OU9fv_JtG-FzI5tc2_MIxR3DD6L0T0lCW-74nDg=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A second pass of the drill bit should clean up the static port leaving a clean, round hole.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Final smoothing and rounding may happen after primer.</p><div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-70396428931447232012021-12-09T13:19:00.001-05:002021-12-19T10:33:13.822-05:00Estes V2 Motor Mount with an Alternative Shock Cord Anchor<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgU3QFRnTrVPc4qOJnEtvpn1fAcpmjsCEoqGVhr2VPsXm53PIiIvZTntkl0qd4TM2hgyrQ7qJj3tHmb_-PBkqPs_nno4cVqprNH7lP0zjDarqLYX6Zqr2Q2B5ntRO6u9Hqqt1CQcGt8WzsXstmL9jhsesP96FuUvTEGlGFCpoTe89hNqUFjhHdZyq-H9Q=s1440" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1440" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgU3QFRnTrVPc4qOJnEtvpn1fAcpmjsCEoqGVhr2VPsXm53PIiIvZTntkl0qd4TM2hgyrQ7qJj3tHmb_-PBkqPs_nno4cVqprNH7lP0zjDarqLYX6Zqr2Q2B5ntRO6u9Hqqt1CQcGt8WzsXstmL9jhsesP96FuUvTEGlGFCpoTe89hNqUFjhHdZyq-H9Q=w640-h438" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><i>I'll get back to the Super Big Bertha in the next post. For now, here's more progress on the Estes V2.</i></p><p>The forward centering ring has a slit for the rubber shock cord to pass through. You're meant to push one end of the shock cord through and knot the other end to secure it to the rocket. There's no tri-fold "tea bag" mount included in this kit.</p><p>The advantage of Estes rubber shock cords is that the cord is much less likely to damage the end of the body tube if your parachute ejection doesn't happen right at apogee. This can be because you have the wrong delay for your flight, or the delay grain has a flaw, causing it to burn too long or short. Or, if you have to launch at an angle due to wind, sometimes the rocket doesn't slow down as much at apogee.</p><p>If the chute opens when the rocket is coasting, it can pull the cord against the opening of the body tube. This can pull hard on the shock cord, and a stiff Kevlar cord can sometimes damage your rocket when this happens. It can be minor damage, like a small nick in the tube, or a long rip, called a <i>zipper</i>.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2o8nbtmI4-ksJNiVny4lmW-4jVrRXMmhAugc_qe3_0mFudKAalNrlCjhbdMbT6GB9W4ol-Y4bnxAZsWVZoqCJSokgsohQAGPtzceUxk5t0QbCN3LVrJRhDYyf54VNM8q2i0mk125-M6fiCsddtYlsL3T69so2LgsmaObeQtcSWyafUAlXjwd_ZkziDA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2o8nbtmI4-ksJNiVny4lmW-4jVrRXMmhAugc_qe3_0mFudKAalNrlCjhbdMbT6GB9W4ol-Y4bnxAZsWVZoqCJSokgsohQAGPtzceUxk5t0QbCN3LVrJRhDYyf54VNM8q2i0mk125-M6fiCsddtYlsL3T69so2LgsmaObeQtcSWyafUAlXjwd_ZkziDA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This rocket has a very long Kevlar shock cord. Even with all textbook flights, it has had some damage.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>While I do like a shock cord with some elasticity, I rarely use the ones supplied with the kit. I usually make a long shock cord made of two parts - a length of Kevlar thread to secure it to the rocket, and a very long piece of sewing elastic.</p><p>With a short rubber cord, sometimes the nose cone can snap back and hit the rocket, damaging the paint. A long cord gets the NC and chute away from the rocket and helps reduce the risk of damage.</p><p>Some rocketeers just use very long Kevlar thread for shock cords, and I've done so as well, but Kevlar is inflexible, and I've had some damage to the ends of body tubes even with very long shock cords. I like having a loop of Kevlar which ends just inside the body tube.
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN3DtzGDjToa1Nv325L03uXnvGsVfvnkY3X_YyTJSJOH-9p9OXrFlCgVmgOL-aK6EqPShGvveGkFldjGSnoSWv2ya_riIOFEztnb0EfIy_MRbMiSeD-SoVi3LxaZI6zEHufKayNW7dZrVOZZO93-Gsj3T3f-TU617pW63UU4-qDSDavwxhSxoexa0TKw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN3DtzGDjToa1Nv325L03uXnvGsVfvnkY3X_YyTJSJOH-9p9OXrFlCgVmgOL-aK6EqPShGvveGkFldjGSnoSWv2ya_riIOFEztnb0EfIy_MRbMiSeD-SoVi3LxaZI6zEHufKayNW7dZrVOZZO93-Gsj3T3f-TU617pW63UU4-qDSDavwxhSxoexa0TKw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>The Kevlar comes from <a href="http://emmakites.com" target="_blank">emmakites.com</a>, a kite supply website, and is meant to be for flying large kites. Their prices are good, and shipping is fast and free, and they have some very heavy duty stuff suitable for larger rockets. They even list some of their product now as "for rocketry." It seems they've caught on that we like their Kevlar.</p><p>For the V-2, I mounted it right to the motor mount.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu_R_wyqWx3kaOQtbPN4Oq2ld93wRLRjes1xwzgg7Q6ALs_okzDCgdyLBuyB7GIUNnVL1TU94VB1Gr9b5jGgmhjAZTI0dJERfFuTIsPJnp1SOVIIl2Oe5gUiE-MzZdCdrjLmMnre05PCYxShp5MVU20rHxkB9-HCOkUmp3B9xb7Ig0s5ubt9Bq2i3oew=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu_R_wyqWx3kaOQtbPN4Oq2ld93wRLRjes1xwzgg7Q6ALs_okzDCgdyLBuyB7GIUNnVL1TU94VB1Gr9b5jGgmhjAZTI0dJERfFuTIsPJnp1SOVIIl2Oe5gUiE-MzZdCdrjLmMnre05PCYxShp5MVU20rHxkB9-HCOkUmp3B9xb7Ig0s5ubt9Bq2i3oew=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>The first step was to punch a hole through the forward centering ring. I cut a length of Kevlar longer than I would need, and tied a loop in one end.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmhPZQThAMO__G4iR1DFPkeM0hz7Ca6u8McSLr54R6rRCKwRUXQSWFSn9wzPncErGye6x85Hr4MlT4l0fihtOItUbtebU9mhN14zaZ5ZtVkw2kKVd-IaEn72SKOAK3ucdwF9y8LoAsxbenW5rsiyhNaBeqN0z5pnDTXE2Pvjeg_CZ-DTZK2ltCSmu9Jg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmhPZQThAMO__G4iR1DFPkeM0hz7Ca6u8McSLr54R6rRCKwRUXQSWFSn9wzPncErGye6x85Hr4MlT4l0fihtOItUbtebU9mhN14zaZ5ZtVkw2kKVd-IaEn72SKOAK3ucdwF9y8LoAsxbenW5rsiyhNaBeqN0z5pnDTXE2Pvjeg_CZ-DTZK2ltCSmu9Jg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaGZlmWn2oez-uiw6DuVRN_ejLLmraFyGFCGzGVv-TPAo-ulItl_eOlhg0Z1gdTHVD5G2bi2PYLqZraSA_yjWspGx3Yjb_lRELx-3iTNferjZXNCYK47tLZxiyXd-BTsgM2QFehXLGTYLYDmCL3MsW8hPUAKpECSqaKjSeoRls2zq5ZxAHQ8MTVvctNA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaGZlmWn2oez-uiw6DuVRN_ejLLmraFyGFCGzGVv-TPAo-ulItl_eOlhg0Z1gdTHVD5G2bi2PYLqZraSA_yjWspGx3Yjb_lRELx-3iTNferjZXNCYK47tLZxiyXd-BTsgM2QFehXLGTYLYDmCL3MsW8hPUAKpECSqaKjSeoRls2zq5ZxAHQ8MTVvctNA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>I passed the free end through the loop, forming a kind of lasso, which I wrapped around the motor tube just behind the forward centering ring. The free end was threaded through the hole in the centering ring and the lasso was secured in place with a fillet of wood glue.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPkUnuM-LUicy1fksPN9D9iZALiXQhi5Z6NHidqftRFE2dYmPXGZeS39h9rX6Q1LEHWrmcqkbgmgOkUdCsyIrVndZ_vgJfS0hbSjJZgws2BfosCe8ia8XH523DTOMeaJgw0fHhWtvQw582l670vPfpOthQvJV8Rv_McF1oOqmmmrEFqlyy13EBdHNVXQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPkUnuM-LUicy1fksPN9D9iZALiXQhi5Z6NHidqftRFE2dYmPXGZeS39h9rX6Q1LEHWrmcqkbgmgOkUdCsyIrVndZ_vgJfS0hbSjJZgws2BfosCe8ia8XH523DTOMeaJgw0fHhWtvQw582l670vPfpOthQvJV8Rv_McF1oOqmmmrEFqlyy13EBdHNVXQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>Once the glue was dry, I slid the motor mount into the rocket at the correct depth to see how long the Kevlar lead should be. I then removed the motor mount and tied a simple loop. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfaj4jVp4OkmI0DwDL4Wiw1KEih6SJiyCzJMm3eptkg0hrEhB1__0SmULn2iNp0hMxM_HpBsX3dm3Stl0k8AXBHDq07VrMtcURN0sZj0BZseQ42Y1TZUWxGMn1bGrujkBG0TsA4nvxyuZTNvVVBW8AXyBVdXPoESfYo8N7RFzhWVbFFff2tFp8QYqYbQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfaj4jVp4OkmI0DwDL4Wiw1KEih6SJiyCzJMm3eptkg0hrEhB1__0SmULn2iNp0hMxM_HpBsX3dm3Stl0k8AXBHDq07VrMtcURN0sZj0BZseQ42Y1TZUWxGMn1bGrujkBG0TsA4nvxyuZTNvVVBW8AXyBVdXPoESfYo8N7RFzhWVbFFff2tFp8QYqYbQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After a couple of tries, I had the perfect length.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivZfl7IYAp40ia5IGyFbRsd59t42i_BQT7L-yLk45NQXAY_Sjw7n66CCewtKTNMHuxvojoRtXw08R7CUodGY8QfUkGAkz90VTa5RQaYWWnm0wwsVdCHTlEalYaA72fIO6OS1NlO-ZCPeL7nmaNnLRJa-xVGbMZrMqfV3wEwDfz0ItJyFrsDqEnhmqaZg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivZfl7IYAp40ia5IGyFbRsd59t42i_BQT7L-yLk45NQXAY_Sjw7n66CCewtKTNMHuxvojoRtXw08R7CUodGY8QfUkGAkz90VTa5RQaYWWnm0wwsVdCHTlEalYaA72fIO6OS1NlO-ZCPeL7nmaNnLRJa-xVGbMZrMqfV3wEwDfz0ItJyFrsDqEnhmqaZg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>Having access to the Kevlar loop means I can attach a long piece of heavy sewing elastic, and I can replace it when the elastic gets brittle.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQXj9Merl7ixc3dRqCcKNcBAwT5zwlRxIJyd17pQiJkJDpg1kqsEgvAI6k1l-GDjEhFYJ4wdfZx9XMLHT5qezamvRAQpBW-tkNSwLCQ78RuezqRGDY8Bc6MIi-DxwdGD9oFa_AdUO6iHt2Dpt8aQSd_M2s_0c_QJXpjYkLWbawOQcgWMstOz-0jxJHnw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQXj9Merl7ixc3dRqCcKNcBAwT5zwlRxIJyd17pQiJkJDpg1kqsEgvAI6k1l-GDjEhFYJ4wdfZx9XMLHT5qezamvRAQpBW-tkNSwLCQ78RuezqRGDY8Bc6MIi-DxwdGD9oFa_AdUO6iHt2Dpt8aQSd_M2s_0c_QJXpjYkLWbawOQcgWMstOz-0jxJHnw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-70880121169988628762021-12-07T16:42:00.002-05:002021-12-07T16:48:49.932-05:00Super Big Bertha - Fin Filling, Fillets, and F- er, uh, Rail Guides<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj53jvSW89oLDCEXCgEI7Fm5K4byhWD27C1WVrW7NjpTQfpZVRdbL1cg0eDM699RzpS6j3iEFTxLOJ5vp8UW2dHUyUc9g8o8CQMVo9aPy6njOLmr7O5OC4aP7-BQoU7smlB3SGeine5DsSYzJgvVqsuZvSwydMrjoF3K7zB2nA3ihQm367bNQYlMepeTg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj53jvSW89oLDCEXCgEI7Fm5K4byhWD27C1WVrW7NjpTQfpZVRdbL1cg0eDM699RzpS6j3iEFTxLOJ5vp8UW2dHUyUc9g8o8CQMVo9aPy6njOLmr7O5OC4aP7-BQoU7smlB3SGeine5DsSYzJgvVqsuZvSwydMrjoF3K7zB2nA3ihQm367bNQYlMepeTg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />I moved on to writing up the Estes V2 build and nearly forgot to finish the Super Big Bertha series!<p></p><p>After the fins were assembled and the edges sanded square, I moved on to filling in the wood grain.</p><p>Brodak sanding sealer is my favorite way to fill balsa wood grain. Traditionally, you apply sanding sealer after gluing fins on. But I often apply a few coats and sand beforehand. It's easier to sand them smooth without the body tube in the way.</p><p>Before anyone chimes in, yes, you do need to take care to keep the sealer off the root edges, as they can impede a good glue bond. But I've literally never had a fin break off because of using this method.</p><p>If I accidentally get some sanding sealer on the root edge, I quickly wipe it off with a paper towel and give the edge a quick sanding. And you know what? It's fine.
</p><p>Furthermore, with these fin tabs, there's no problem. And you can hold the fin by the tab and seal the whole fin at once, without getting sealer on your fingers.
</p><p>Brodak is expensive, but I find the results worth the price. It's more cost effective to buy a large can, rather than several smaller ones. You can buy it online <a href="https://brodak.com/finishing-products/dope/brodak-sanding-sealer-pint.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> (Note: Looking at it as I write this, Brodak sanding sealer is a <i>lot</i> more expensive today than it was when I bought two cans two years ago. Inflation is pretty high right now. That said, if I needed some, I would probably still spring for it. That's how much I like the stuff. But there are definitely much cheaper options for balsa filling out there!)</p><p>If you're worried about getting a large can, because you've had sanding sealer quickly go bad once you open it if you don't use it all in a short period of time, don't worry. I've had a can open for <i>a year</i> and it's still as fresh as new. This is quality stuff.</p><p>I brushed three good coats on, then sanded them smooth before attaching the fins to the rocket.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWl7slcmdQXu8Ap6I-kZTbeRFtJHjToBW47pEVhBR6Uj-dsxhzes7AAUChFWGGJYfufl_YwLB5o2d_tlWKqnTgYF3sLwGkRS04PrJnjl8WpPZWMiNzYgA9tNlw3uh2XVDwhzqxWqE8uuSP14Ad5dD9PZuAyV3F3xcrawcJpwD2V5up7dc7lis74ljxrg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWl7slcmdQXu8Ap6I-kZTbeRFtJHjToBW47pEVhBR6Uj-dsxhzes7AAUChFWGGJYfufl_YwLB5o2d_tlWKqnTgYF3sLwGkRS04PrJnjl8WpPZWMiNzYgA9tNlw3uh2XVDwhzqxWqE8uuSP14Ad5dD9PZuAyV3F3xcrawcJpwD2V5up7dc7lis74ljxrg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Once the fins were glued on to the Bertha, fin fillets were applied.</p><p>These are wood glue fillets, using Titebond Molding and Trim Glue, 3 layers deep at this point. The molding and trim glue is less prone to sagging and shrinking, and makes a great fillet.</p><p>I put an Elmer's pointy cap on the bottle for better fillets and more precise gluing - the bottle necks are identical, and School Glue is always on sale for 99 cents. Not good for rocket building, but the caps are perfect replacements for the wide Titebond caps. I got this tip from Chris Michaels' <a href="http://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Model Rocket Building blog</a>, and I wouldn't do otherwise now.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaO6mrJn_mYtqselCEsjiogrbDbxSm6pTGgv9YhOXSzJzmjOQO4QPVGEED33qshxky3ALjguS0ys-_MOO67TaIKHI7VTur-eSb9t7H7j2Rp3GWTW3AtnJg_T9Nz8xgRH8iMLRaE5EYW7mLS702GxV-9LFHnfEREY_zf85Rdv2XQQFtKJFEmynknnjcYQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaO6mrJn_mYtqselCEsjiogrbDbxSm6pTGgv9YhOXSzJzmjOQO4QPVGEED33qshxky3ALjguS0ys-_MOO67TaIKHI7VTur-eSb9t7H7j2Rp3GWTW3AtnJg_T9Nz8xgRH8iMLRaE5EYW7mLS702GxV-9LFHnfEREY_zf85Rdv2XQQFtKJFEmynknnjcYQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The Bertha will get conformal rail guides instead of the 1/4 inch launch lugs it comes with. Since I almost always fly with a club, a launch rail will almost always be available when I feel like flying this rocket. A 1010 high power rail is less likely to whip when a rocket lifts off, and less likely to get bent.</p><p>A friend gave me a tip that I tried. Take a rail guide from Aerospace Specialty Products and cut it in half with a razor saw and miter box. You get 2 for 1 that way. The original rail guide is a couple inches long, and I decided this would be a good rocket to try that with.</p><p>It worked, but I probably won't do it again. Holding the guide still while cutting was difficult, because while the rail guide is long, half a rail guide is not. The saw kind of shredded the ends of the 3D printed part, which required a lot of cleanup. And a short segment of this guide is kind of hard to get on the rocket perfectly straight. While the guide does conform to the BT-80 body tube, the curve is very slight, and with a layer of epoxy between the guide and the tube, there's a bit of play, and I had to keep checking to see if I really got it on there straight. A short piece is harder to get on straight than a long piece, and I found lining up the second little bit of guide 11 1/2 inches away more difficult.
</p><p>Besides, these rail guides from ASP are cheap and lightweight. I'll probably just use full length guides in the future. You can get them <a href="https://www.asp-rocketry.com/ecommerce/Conformal-Rail-Guides-for-T-80-and-T-2.6-Tubes-set-of-2-.cfm?item_id=1221" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuwaj46HQRh6-w8RjwKzDjHqv-djbHPrVao-zliHdOWFCPqwtnW5c1OlZUHmE_7vFhco691dYLoKOKBGD3aO0trXSTumCnT1uE_mHXrHzKAc4kBpi9GPkHijhXIjtyOor76mA3HrA_TlhsZJEPDK2aAqOTocxkccJUIXQMh9ooFUXxq0eFuY9R8GauOw=s4476" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3017" data-original-width="4476" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuwaj46HQRh6-w8RjwKzDjHqv-djbHPrVao-zliHdOWFCPqwtnW5c1OlZUHmE_7vFhco691dYLoKOKBGD3aO0trXSTumCnT1uE_mHXrHzKAc4kBpi9GPkHijhXIjtyOor76mA3HrA_TlhsZJEPDK2aAqOTocxkccJUIXQMh9ooFUXxq0eFuY9R8GauOw=w640-h432" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>After I put the rail guides on, my eyes kept playing tricks on me. Were they straight? Were they in alignment with one another?</p><p>I got out my camera and backed it as far as I could in the Rocket Room and zoomed in to see if I could better tell. I couldn't really tell what I was looking at, because it was pretty dark.
</p><p>In this picture, the two guides don't look lined up, but that may be because the camera and rocket were off-center of each other. In the daylight, they look alright.</p><p>There is a chance that the upper guide is *slightly* crooked. Like, ever so slightly. I'm hoping it's fine. I guess we'll see when we get it on the pad.</p><p>I suppose I should get myself a length of 1010 rail so I can check these things at home.</p><p>It's probably fine...</p><div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-74177548187295881672021-12-05T16:15:00.002-05:002021-12-05T16:15:53.043-05:00Build Thread - Estes V2<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKPa8LGH4Pu3XAdGXnZV0niM82a_H-_kxab4dQwEl1COGhUpdHjPdmtY2CJuQ-lxMPvPEpZO1G9RoFffdIs_Azk_4HD0MShihI_BXZureE2-D28U_ih8fw7XLllr78JphFHsoJ5yHV-joanpv5k_snKExL17qwHobjUpFyz11k6RhKPkbv-AwpoMZICg=s3024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2609" data-original-width="3024" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKPa8LGH4Pu3XAdGXnZV0niM82a_H-_kxab4dQwEl1COGhUpdHjPdmtY2CJuQ-lxMPvPEpZO1G9RoFffdIs_Azk_4HD0MShihI_BXZureE2-D28U_ih8fw7XLllr78JphFHsoJ5yHV-joanpv5k_snKExL17qwHobjUpFyz11k6RhKPkbv-AwpoMZICg=w640-h552" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Why have I never built a V2? This fat model has always caught my eye, and I've been meaning to build one forever. I guess now's a good time to start.</p><p>Here are the parts.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxQ9KhStWdlQEagmUtzlfO3Vrc5qfTOBc1oH0xulSariXy35Xz1oGzUrWLixEOetfyPRFdZ3tLg71Od9hDMLS2ovyIcbocUvlGEuQjJrhWUwM0V9F_tQSSzybsElsFOG_Cgb91Ey0X2TzJwxBpkvPyqIvFd9quS_KOQgTwIKFtxNdxNvJxGu1CtONquA=s3713" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3713" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxQ9KhStWdlQEagmUtzlfO3Vrc5qfTOBc1oH0xulSariXy35Xz1oGzUrWLixEOetfyPRFdZ3tLg71Od9hDMLS2ovyIcbocUvlGEuQjJrhWUwM0V9F_tQSSzybsElsFOG_Cgb91Ey0X2TzJwxBpkvPyqIvFd9quS_KOQgTwIKFtxNdxNvJxGu1CtONquA=w640-h522" width="640" /></a></div><p>I've had this kit on the pile for a few years, and the nose cone was stuffed pretty hard into the BT-80 body tube. I had to pull hard to get it out, and the end of the tube is stretched out just a little bit. It's hard to tell, but the fit on that end of the tube is loose, and looking at it very carefully, I can see that it's a little enlarged.</p><p>I might cut a new length of tube - I haven't decided yet. I hate to replace parts of a kit, but I do want a good fit. I can repurpose this tube as a payload section on a future scratch build.</p><p>Estes' customer service is excellent. They have been known to replace bad parts. They replaced an entire Pro Series kit for me once when all I asked was if it was possible to replace one bad fin. I opened my email to find out they had already shipped me a whole new rocket, which was a huge surprise.</p><p>But this kit is several years old - in fact, it's currently out of production. This probably didn't happen in the factory, and I really don't like asking for a replacement for minor damage - especially something I can just fix myself.</p><p>I might also just use it.</p><div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-45851937686612062872021-12-01T16:48:00.002-05:002021-12-01T16:48:51.448-05:00Breaking Super Big Bertha In Two - Payload Section<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_gqYB68YVBjD5LautSVjv6qomZMYAYM-5LEplgB4BxAgxMrhWEohgcWkvQ9PLQ4AJ5FqvxTb_hVl2JfW6n_xn7FEQRjREHb23c1nME1-9un6HS8jGSyBZD2deSNMt1Y7kerGlBLJBnmcIVoNcgc-lbc5R_M0ixywb2BClDsM-GYecBJowyaX0ysj6RQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_gqYB68YVBjD5LautSVjv6qomZMYAYM-5LEplgB4BxAgxMrhWEohgcWkvQ9PLQ4AJ5FqvxTb_hVl2JfW6n_xn7FEQRjREHb23c1nME1-9un6HS8jGSyBZD2deSNMt1Y7kerGlBLJBnmcIVoNcgc-lbc5R_M0ixywb2BClDsM-GYecBJowyaX0ysj6RQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>Super Big Bertha is a very tall model. It's made of two lengths of BT-80 body tube joined by a coupler you glue into both tubes.
I decided to turn the upper tube into a payload section, sealing one end of the coupler with a bulkhead and only gluing it into the upper tube.</p><p>This would have two practical benefits. First, I could fly a payload, like an altimeter, without worrying about the delicate electronics being fouled up by ejection charges.</p><p>Second was transportation. I take most of my rockets to launches in a large box.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGHgaveEERP7XxkVLVa5oND3Gl86vLjZi2LQ6OsOq7UoAVB_qd0JQInF7rR7pYTSckbxXbEe4UJlAzWfK7EoUEjtYJNzcmGVDxRYRIUIQEItIs7Bk-tPyWbtATSS6ooQX2y5vIHBKL79QP9_J-d-SJ-8B1viLLC1j1kNEGBTLbxiq6w2Mdke5vw7CjlQ=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2048" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGHgaveEERP7XxkVLVa5oND3Gl86vLjZi2LQ6OsOq7UoAVB_qd0JQInF7rR7pYTSckbxXbEe4UJlAzWfK7EoUEjtYJNzcmGVDxRYRIUIQEItIs7Bk-tPyWbtATSS6ooQX2y5vIHBKL79QP9_J-d-SJ-8B1viLLC1j1kNEGBTLbxiq6w2Mdke5vw7CjlQ=w640-h390" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A box of rockets large and small. You can lay towels between layers to protect the paint, but if<br />you don't jostle them too much, it's usually fine to simply lay them in and take them out gently.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>It's a long box; you can see my Pro Series Nike Smoke and Ventris in there, as well as my North Coast Rocketry Archer in there. But the Bertha is just a still much too tall to fit in the box in one piece. Having it come apart in the middle makes it much easier to pack away.</p><p>I swore I had some BT-80 plywood bulkheads somewhere, but I couldn't find them.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXdBPWebP44LQ4DnwU_IDEOW-WGFm0wKacsz13GKFBazaELPjSrV3Wu87XyLZswLiOKMSGMzEnzFWmq_WVOX7ccFhX7pgG7VGn1BOWfnVDj3Ucrkln15Fa5yyzbnlx2i-VDY4JtynVflzr5W1_IVPZ-23IhOMYjIKB5SaC8i9wiXmnGYafaG9e-8W1Jg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXdBPWebP44LQ4DnwU_IDEOW-WGFm0wKacsz13GKFBazaELPjSrV3Wu87XyLZswLiOKMSGMzEnzFWmq_WVOX7ccFhX7pgG7VGn1BOWfnVDj3Ucrkln15Fa5yyzbnlx2i-VDY4JtynVflzr5W1_IVPZ-23IhOMYjIKB5SaC8i9wiXmnGYafaG9e-8W1Jg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>I was taking out the recycling, when it dawned on me - these Madras lentils from Costco are not only cheap, tasty, and healthy, the carton they come in is made of very hard, finely corrugated cardboard, and would be perfect.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5gA68wxG7AIjFkss1vOxaCqqMAYpt2G4p76YOsy5pLeETd1eY5GxskmCbCJUt7wUc-4G96uodT6vp7Pe0FvaNBDVnP6r_zYtMVIfcBUGXG1K-qx00c6FsmSzbdZWYVqXw8J_snp3Lbe5upqX2KnXaihtIHnQhKHMiqPrO2lRi-ZwGD1PeRAYrwHMHcQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5gA68wxG7AIjFkss1vOxaCqqMAYpt2G4p76YOsy5pLeETd1eY5GxskmCbCJUt7wUc-4G96uodT6vp7Pe0FvaNBDVnP6r_zYtMVIfcBUGXG1K-qx00c6FsmSzbdZWYVqXw8J_snp3Lbe5upqX2KnXaihtIHnQhKHMiqPrO2lRi-ZwGD1PeRAYrwHMHcQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>First step was to trace around the coupler. Then I cut the shape out with scissors, slightly larger than the finished product would be.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLPHy1i8vubcxokT3woHJfLAS251NtTbe5kS8kPu-FDToT5sbtEVtEMGKpjPfoeRnp7D7u3QYCZLeKJNUAiWEl9N6aDB8GSVE8LnrlvNOoDYfVy5TiFX5tlE2W1QV3Gv9X7J4ZFFpnxnVK0VU8nJtXLdNH6v5kqK50C0wZaVrfYiByb40KUc1LYtryzg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLPHy1i8vubcxokT3woHJfLAS251NtTbe5kS8kPu-FDToT5sbtEVtEMGKpjPfoeRnp7D7u3QYCZLeKJNUAiWEl9N6aDB8GSVE8LnrlvNOoDYfVy5TiFX5tlE2W1QV3Gv9X7J4ZFFpnxnVK0VU8nJtXLdNH6v5kqK50C0wZaVrfYiByb40KUc1LYtryzg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>I then sanded the bulkhead round until it fit snugly inside the coupler. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXBr_OZfJ9NMn7Ot-G7zcGVBdG6Td4LD9Yfv9nmSfl8ElHQETJiIxLeUH5z_lt1_HVqXUF5KNyqm5reGhrRNPKR0Nx51t0Mi0oaVT6hDyA5hOEJKFnONUY1h7NGudWwTNaBqkSF7pSvTN900p3M0xsFwSmN6pG-wEyyIHK-WPRyxZNGjZsW0rLnbQM_w=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXBr_OZfJ9NMn7Ot-G7zcGVBdG6Td4LD9Yfv9nmSfl8ElHQETJiIxLeUH5z_lt1_HVqXUF5KNyqm5reGhrRNPKR0Nx51t0Mi0oaVT6hDyA5hOEJKFnONUY1h7NGudWwTNaBqkSF7pSvTN900p3M0xsFwSmN6pG-wEyyIHK-WPRyxZNGjZsW0rLnbQM_w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>I reinforced one side with a bit of packing tape and punched two clean holes through the bulkhead.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCn1PN5-TLL-NGhCj0bQr-wvHj7vHJuZLLaDi0KnJLn3x6VhYrYsR2gZiw1JV-Y6dSmR2d0pm1qW7Mnv9jkQnZ2z9xnlioxt-6C8MriobtKffdJoq89kueaTMoGJo90Aoo5-sRdXKuN287a_98jn-ZmFwPRoAGh_7e4mkdZEg7bBwU2r5BK2XS4wm1yA=s1440" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCn1PN5-TLL-NGhCj0bQr-wvHj7vHJuZLLaDi0KnJLn3x6VhYrYsR2gZiw1JV-Y6dSmR2d0pm1qW7Mnv9jkQnZ2z9xnlioxt-6C8MriobtKffdJoq89kueaTMoGJo90Aoo5-sRdXKuN287a_98jn-ZmFwPRoAGh_7e4mkdZEg7bBwU2r5BK2XS4wm1yA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>A good glue bond with fillets on the inside would hold it in place. I ran some Kevlar through the holes and tied it in a loop.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9Sg-VwAWmQszwgcTdgRIeLWYLENFhttnuaK1ulBucaskY_W5cyLp69s0rzoA1wn45NlvnX_Oq0YerZckAkBPrN3UY-lkC0dcFKtAnflCBayipC4hsuMaJcgJLtTcMxSzbkgDXCPUG4JtSSf-Jl_N6XS_5B8zlEUOb6u-voAWNaMNXUY8uu5f5YXQy6A=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9Sg-VwAWmQszwgcTdgRIeLWYLENFhttnuaK1ulBucaskY_W5cyLp69s0rzoA1wn45NlvnX_Oq0YerZckAkBPrN3UY-lkC0dcFKtAnflCBayipC4hsuMaJcgJLtTcMxSzbkgDXCPUG4JtSSf-Jl_N6XS_5B8zlEUOb6u-voAWNaMNXUY8uu5f5YXQy6A=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>Finally, I plugged the holes with some Titebond Molding and Trim Glue.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzN-dAgdtaE2yuW44MLROUsKvcMy9hzRwkhITpdRHjFpsW2f5L6tv3CpHT59QG_FG5beamZY72WftSQPxUDSXa7tQ5EHYN_ToUC9YDej66uYxC1YXQJcsIS-rf6OlQn2XSqrxn9L2gXfdptH1XiPiznIFY-eEigeBnAJQ2A-t9-Xx37U51TiyoYE7_yg=s1440" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzN-dAgdtaE2yuW44MLROUsKvcMy9hzRwkhITpdRHjFpsW2f5L6tv3CpHT59QG_FG5beamZY72WftSQPxUDSXa7tQ5EHYN_ToUC9YDej66uYxC1YXQJcsIS-rf6OlQn2XSqrxn9L2gXfdptH1XiPiznIFY-eEigeBnAJQ2A-t9-Xx37U51TiyoYE7_yg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>Once everything was dry, I glued the bulkhead halfway into the upper payload tube.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuwWXCJlp8iy34NpvPU97rUdemTTgTH2ZercTQZwoDYOLHt7G4iw9fGimq6QhroCz4DfUeYSgZ3NM43Tl8_Y9_xY4SIvJmNLjRZ_a81TktbaaVofwK4fr5ZdeU4AHaHwNmLGT1uT2-CKAXsX8ryuVL_hUUu8gPTWJg8vnIFjc6QnwEC3MFbZKB34hFrA=s1440" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuwWXCJlp8iy34NpvPU97rUdemTTgTH2ZercTQZwoDYOLHt7G4iw9fGimq6QhroCz4DfUeYSgZ3NM43Tl8_Y9_xY4SIvJmNLjRZ_a81TktbaaVofwK4fr5ZdeU4AHaHwNmLGT1uT2-CKAXsX8ryuVL_hUUu8gPTWJg8vnIFjc6QnwEC3MFbZKB34hFrA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The finished product is very solid.</p><div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-42788032548173989932021-11-29T15:37:00.001-05:002021-11-29T15:39:57.948-05:00How to Transport Model Rockets to a Lauch<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0u8q1kPSQqFNT_ZaNWQMkdN-g6WdbtTJLMlqXZaznwMaKaPASPBHbI4EAR1z3kI-UllEeiyj_BzhvM6pjjJBzjUmln_lrYJhmYX5jHEWdzVIIWs_EKLHbQ54yjD9Lm1LPk4bSFmzn3SYZk-G5KatVuQFcwPvYQMlc6mPGkeoJSonCxx5r00GkuxAeTw=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2048" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0u8q1kPSQqFNT_ZaNWQMkdN-g6WdbtTJLMlqXZaznwMaKaPASPBHbI4EAR1z3kI-UllEeiyj_BzhvM6pjjJBzjUmln_lrYJhmYX5jHEWdzVIIWs_EKLHbQ54yjD9Lm1LPk4bSFmzn3SYZk-G5KatVuQFcwPvYQMlc6mPGkeoJSonCxx5r00GkuxAeTw=w640-h390" width="640" /></a></div><br />I see a lot of posts on rocketry forums asking how people transport rockets to the launch site. My solution is pretty simple - a large cardboard box.<p></p><p>I have a few of these lying around of various large sizes. This one can hold more rockets than I'll launch in a day, and it's still easy to carry. And it holds larger rockets as well - you can see my Estes Ventris and Pro Series Nike Smoke, as well as my North Coast Rocketry SA Archer. And you can see there's still plenty of room to add more rockets if I feel ambitious.</p><p>Sometimes I put a layer of towels between layers of rockets if I'm worried about the paint jobs, but honestly, as long as you lay them in carefully and don't jostle the box too much, it's not really a problem.<br /></p><p>Then I pad around the edges with large plastic zip lock bags of parachutes and "dog barf" cellulose wadding, and carry the whole thing to the trunk of the car.</p><p>The box is big, but even loaded up with model rockets, it's amazingly light.</p><p>When I first got started, I had this plan to build a custom crate for each and every rocket. But there's no need to complicate things. These days when everyone is getting tons of stuff delivered to the house (including large shipments of rocket stuff!) you can usually find a really good box to hold on to.</p><div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div><div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-61690674794787308282021-11-28T17:01:00.002-05:002021-11-28T17:04:02.387-05:00The Estes Super Big Bertha - Time to Get Back to Business<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLKvQjyR1Uc3xNtxej3yO-96BIebIMhLPYXgHsDMNX0uLHP7vWJ_hcRhGFSnQ4adV2NMXSuSH4p2C8MN_D6JS1MbpiHSSRQ8rBagBEpk_VoeR5XFQqyG-cZZg0yKsBJOqksVrBBWwEIrVIZZzA46Ot5Dt82hDLp7E3cSy7w0hWohPSJSOphDkJSAQyWw=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3645" data-original-width="6000" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLKvQjyR1Uc3xNtxej3yO-96BIebIMhLPYXgHsDMNX0uLHP7vWJ_hcRhGFSnQ4adV2NMXSuSH4p2C8MN_D6JS1MbpiHSSRQ8rBagBEpk_VoeR5XFQqyG-cZZg0yKsBJOqksVrBBWwEIrVIZZzA46Ot5Dt82hDLp7E3cSy7w0hWohPSJSOphDkJSAQyWw=w640-h388" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Recently I realized that I haven't built a new rocket start to finish in well over a year, partly due to this funk I've been in. It's been a hard couple of years. I put the finishing touches on my Estes Mercury Redstone, yes, and slapped together a quick model from spare parts of other rockets, but I haven't started and finished a new model in way too long.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibEQmC_hUra8PD4xb9cXiTe8wfH7fqyXtp2drqLLboZ9Zs3T-qW1nMWRvchB1yD7SKnWV9QdK84T_IQpBGtVrir9ZEIfW2nQQQz7yVkmgQvHLIZJZJs3mZwX-FOtCmyhTr8X4mzh6gXsMnTlokPFTvOMxWbFhe5gJTSSh9WMdBsg0DNKChaSP95ignvQ=s3415" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3415" data-original-width="2731" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibEQmC_hUra8PD4xb9cXiTe8wfH7fqyXtp2drqLLboZ9Zs3T-qW1nMWRvchB1yD7SKnWV9QdK84T_IQpBGtVrir9ZEIfW2nQQQz7yVkmgQvHLIZJZJs3mZwX-FOtCmyhTr8X4mzh6gXsMnTlokPFTvOMxWbFhe5gJTSSh9WMdBsg0DNKChaSP95ignvQ=w320-h400" width="320" /></a></div><p>It's time to remedy that. I grabbed the Estes Super Big Bertha off the build pile and started it during my week's vacation from work.</p><p>I like the built up fins. I've done multi-ply fins on some scratch builds I've made, and they can make for very strong fins. I don't plan on beefing up anything with plywood on this one. I want to keep it light and be able to fly it on F15 black powder motors. I bet I could even get away with a D12 in this and keep the altitude really low on small fields if I watch the weight. If I want to use something thrustier, maybe I'll make a second one with plywood centering rings.</p><p>Surprisingly, this will also be my first BT-80 rocket! I have built other 2.6 inch rockets before, but they all used heavier tubing.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlRKU1FhGnxzVI3bjErwf_Ufz35tQOjJpGhnlZhFHWiPynqXL7Lg-8EoWLO-tWZvlLR5J8E5HC9o-ulp_NTDLSNSdTpoye6onLwq89cgw7Eim2QmdvWK9X98PLEHxDtjYIXY5KIrsQBQxZzaqvTyjzbl6BUjxYq7vuaUAy7YRXKy9Zs6saVOVXvmNwUA=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlRKU1FhGnxzVI3bjErwf_Ufz35tQOjJpGhnlZhFHWiPynqXL7Lg-8EoWLO-tWZvlLR5J8E5HC9o-ulp_NTDLSNSdTpoye6onLwq89cgw7Eim2QmdvWK9X98PLEHxDtjYIXY5KIrsQBQxZzaqvTyjzbl6BUjxYq7vuaUAy7YRXKy9Zs6saVOVXvmNwUA=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p>The fins on the Super Big Bertha are really great. 1/8 inch balsa cores and 1/16 inch balsa skins make fins which are about 1/4 inch thick when assembled. Take your time - this part can be tricky.
</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJR9XUbPkc5VKCxn1_IqnUlbZFL_eSmowQBB3FnawdJzHO86stweHT7f5SOjyoIU5ea56uOsWd-hfEUQn7MpMdjvQe3bKobJcI7Mr9PK9ECGXK3zpG7gRkp8v52vhNt4qYL6EI7U2daq5YWPUJSEgGsGOv_cdFtBFoftSF1omOV4QouGJuPGEiFhvdvQ=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJR9XUbPkc5VKCxn1_IqnUlbZFL_eSmowQBB3FnawdJzHO86stweHT7f5SOjyoIU5ea56uOsWd-hfEUQn7MpMdjvQe3bKobJcI7Mr9PK9ECGXK3zpG7gRkp8v52vhNt4qYL6EI7U2daq5YWPUJSEgGsGOv_cdFtBFoftSF1omOV4QouGJuPGEiFhvdvQ=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p>Instructions suggest CA (cyanoacrylate glue - Super Glue, basically) for this step. I use CA sometimes, but avoid it when I can. And in this case, I think laminating them with wood glue might make for a stronger fin. Not that it's critical - they're not likely to brake. But the wood glue, if properly applied, should soak in and make the fins one solid piece.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQon9DyMD6OURUhSVDTvMqa9f8hOIi2RHjcQrO5yPWC2FhjLG4zD6EU1ThBgJ6DC9a7MxhL6meMV3dpB_DmwEpXGODCT1xPTpaEPAzKvSlnsksRm8rB7v-8Nal_FT63UbU7WP7MxXmfknVhK-rgoPB58GVuzKEvFb5-PdlcE7QdOS6G_c78U6gW4QMWw=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQon9DyMD6OURUhSVDTvMqa9f8hOIi2RHjcQrO5yPWC2FhjLG4zD6EU1ThBgJ6DC9a7MxhL6meMV3dpB_DmwEpXGODCT1xPTpaEPAzKvSlnsksRm8rB7v-8Nal_FT63UbU7WP7MxXmfknVhK-rgoPB58GVuzKEvFb5-PdlcE7QdOS6G_c78U6gW4QMWw=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p>I spread the glue on the spars of the core, evenly and thin, then press the skins on. After holding them tight for a minute or so, I press them between waxed paper and heavy, flat books. Only one skin at a time - you want to make sure they don't slide around when you're placing them under the press! After 20-30 minutes of dry time, I flip them over and do the other skin. Then I leave them under the books for AT LEAST a day for them to dry thoroughly. Any residual moisture can still cause the fins to warp after you take them out from under the heavy weight.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdnKlzqfn_u4imYX-UwYs-ux_sTYLLwIqJDtmuMfbfJKiPTIMUQKhSSZPJL0UdhRdcZXFiQf9jcLTOICZ-T8CAG8fUMPH2b4p0TsQYZm9qIVWyyJJpOb7jAuUCecnvkS19z2iKjvgILoeLvFwLPDi0BGlniHrrcbFTfPVAyzcM2welNQBWt5Wgg1KU5Q=s1440" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdnKlzqfn_u4imYX-UwYs-ux_sTYLLwIqJDtmuMfbfJKiPTIMUQKhSSZPJL0UdhRdcZXFiQf9jcLTOICZ-T8CAG8fUMPH2b4p0TsQYZm9qIVWyyJJpOb7jAuUCecnvkS19z2iKjvgILoeLvFwLPDi0BGlniHrrcbFTfPVAyzcM2welNQBWt5Wgg1KU5Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>The edges may not all line up perfectly when you do this - ideally, the outer skin will be slightly larger. You'll then sand everything even. Just make sure the root edges are even - that would be the hard part to fix.</p><p>Don't throw out the sheets the fins are cut from - lots of good scrap balsa there for other projects!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJeh1YKdSqXVBS6suOhtTVhxFCNIZXB97STCGC8nOKxRAKluAka-KYIqB0jhrLhoAyhDn190Czz4z3_4njT3TRd5wkiNdpgyKx6CAhS0Hpr_PlZmPXKHqJqZ-ZmCiza1dfby0GOS1dHP2sEESJyyLs-qLeVDYd_7wLOBBf3F-Ji016DLkzmf3s-ZPsYA=s1440" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJeh1YKdSqXVBS6suOhtTVhxFCNIZXB97STCGC8nOKxRAKluAka-KYIqB0jhrLhoAyhDn190Czz4z3_4njT3TRd5wkiNdpgyKx6CAhS0Hpr_PlZmPXKHqJqZ-ZmCiza1dfby0GOS1dHP2sEESJyyLs-qLeVDYd_7wLOBBf3F-Ji016DLkzmf3s-ZPsYA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>I really like these fins - they're solid!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6KV8m5LCKXyB4ED0pEr9q1K6SQL9jWPapZOLrB6rRQwtewAjMMeAH8WexNtxxZr2jiJws4dPN7HsgEQ101MtW3PjrMIZks1_iqUfdsIyK-mE-Rixzlk5v99esXEgHZqFNlk7V3nC9F2_AXa_bJJ5od8W9IdJ5K5GpogTJDbb3NZvXpx42J9ubgHxzLg=s1440" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6KV8m5LCKXyB4ED0pEr9q1K6SQL9jWPapZOLrB6rRQwtewAjMMeAH8WexNtxxZr2jiJws4dPN7HsgEQ101MtW3PjrMIZks1_iqUfdsIyK-mE-Rixzlk5v99esXEgHZqFNlk7V3nC9F2_AXa_bJJ5od8W9IdJ5K5GpogTJDbb3NZvXpx42J9ubgHxzLg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>I post a lot of things on Instagram these days. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Follow me here</a>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i></div><div><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></div>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979349821452260961.post-85167297316513508832021-08-18T16:39:00.001-04:002021-08-18T16:42:48.611-04:00Liberty Bell 7 - Mercury Redstone - Finally Finished!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdSob77gooq7nwp1Swj_24Ca0nUZdwKimzXt0HRB0Zbo-3sWcwcJopQ7INyZMB7K4N_eWnW9NIh0326DT7iv3FIhUmWDh2v0IGvFRttAKL-kkNwyTm0GnfA_yaf8J_sBD8IzUCLT47NrV/s6000/IMG_5230.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdSob77gooq7nwp1Swj_24Ca0nUZdwKimzXt0HRB0Zbo-3sWcwcJopQ7INyZMB7K4N_eWnW9NIh0326DT7iv3FIhUmWDh2v0IGvFRttAKL-kkNwyTm0GnfA_yaf8J_sBD8IzUCLT47NrV/w640-h426/IMG_5230.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> After a <i>long </i>long time and one smashed capsule tower, I finished the Estes Mercury Redstone build. It was pretty frustrating at times, and I struggled, but I did it. If you don't look too close, it's not that bad!<p>I know where all the flaws are, and there are many. That capsule will probably pop off after the first landing. But for now, I like what I've got. And I have a few more of these kits, plus some extra capsules, so I can try again.</p><p>I think you need to build the hard rockets, so you can get better. I used to be one of those rocketeers who held on to those "special" kits because I didn't think my building skills were up to the task yet, and I wanted to "do it right on this one." But if you do that, you'll never build that Saturn, or Redstone, or whatever special "master-level" kit you're holding on to.</p><p>Do your best, and it'll probably turn out better than you think. Then the next one won't seem so daunting.</p><p><i><a href="https://twitter.com/rocketn00b" target="_blank">Follow me on Twitter</a>.</i><br /><br /><i>Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rocketn00b/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for blog updates and extra stuff.</i><br /><br /><i>Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.</i></p>The Rocket N00bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10678231171321807386noreply@blogger.com0