G10 Fins as compared to 3/8 or 1/2" Ply ???

Flash · Jul 10, 2010

I'm still in the planning stage of my Level 3 Upscale 7.5" Thor. I believe I'm going to go with the Blue Tube 2.0 and was looking at .187 G10 fins verse either 3/8 or 1/2" 9ply Plywood fins.

I would welcome any pros and cons and recommendations in the rocket and mainly the fins. G10 cost allot, will 3/8 or 1/2" 9ply hold up just as good as .187 G10?

Thank you!!!

BartDoe · Jul 10, 2010

This may interest you, it has stress test results for various different materials:

https://www.rocketmaterials.org/datastore/fins/Bend/

JDcluster · Jul 10, 2010

I built my level 3 with 3/8" plywood. It's strong enough & allot lighter than 3/16" (0.187") G10 or G11 sheet of similar size. I used Baltic Birch 7 ply plywood. The only other thing I did to them was; throw a thin layer ( 3oz) of fiberglass cloth to get a nice easy finish. My 5" Intimidator has 3/16" G10 / 11 fins & they weigh allot more.

JD

terryg · Jul 10, 2010

The thicker fins will give a more pronounced Thor in flight whistle. G10 takes some serious effort to cut.

cjl · Jul 10, 2010

terryg said:
G10 takes some serious effort to cut.

That's true. I've had good success with a jigsaw with a tungsten carbide abrasive blade.

JDcluster · Jul 10, 2010

I have no trouble with using just bi-metal saber saw blades.
I cut allot of my own fins out of G10 or G11 in either 3/32" of 1/8" thicknesses.

JD

cjl said:
That's true. I've had good success with a jigsaw with a tungsten carbide abrasive blade.

karlbaum · Jul 11, 2010

I cut G10 with a grinder and a cutting wheel.

bobkrech · Jul 12, 2010

Flash said:
I'm still in the planning stage of my Level 3 Upscale 7.5" Thor. I believe I'm going to go with the Blue Tube 2.0 and was looking at .187 G10 fins verse either 3/8 or 1/2" 9ply Plywood fins.

I would welcome any pros and cons and recommendations in the rocket and mainly the fins. G10 cost allot, will 3/8 or 1/2" 9ply hold up just as good as .187 G10?

Thank you!!!

I second JDClusters recommendations.

Bob

G10 Fins as compared to 3/8 or 1/2" Ply ???

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