Quest High-Q Build

[gdjsky01]

Of all the kits I have laying around, why I would chose this one to build next is beyond me. But I did.

Part shot here:




Typical of Quest these days (and this is MY opinion) the materials and workmanship is only so-so. I don't know why surface mounted balsa fins are there for a 29mm powered rocket. Not that they can not take it, I am sure they can. But the weight of an RMS casing and the small chute, would snap those suckers in a heartbeat where I fly. The kevlar + elastic is 'okay'. The kevlar is long enough it'll zipper the tube so I may try and mitigate that somehow.

The tubing barely has any seam. That's nice. I'll see if I can get away without fill-n-finish on it. Of course it's an oddball size.

So far, all I have decided to change is to use TTW fins from basswood and add an Estes 29mm retainer. Oh and I will probably scan the shitty decals, and make some vinyl one that approximate them... or go my own route.

I am glad I got this for 40% off and not full price or I'd feel a bit ripped-off. Even for $27 is not that great.

JMO.
Onwards...

 

[gdjsky01]

Here's the new fins cut (yes one is upside down).


Hand cut slots...

 

[gdjsky01]

Like others, I tied the kevlar behind the forward centering ring. I notched the ring to let the kevar pass through.



I epoxied the ring on the very end of the MMT as I wanted that ring 'just' above the fin slots and have as much MMT sticking out the aft ring as possible to push the Estes retainer on.

You can see I wiped some CA on the end inside

 

[gdjsky01]

Here's the parts about to come together. The fins, Estes retainer pieces, aft ring. The engine block is headed for the parts bin. We don't need no stinkin' engine block.


This shows the motor mount epoxied in the front with the aft ring in place to hold it while the glue sets up. Note: Make sure to rotate the mount so that the tied kevar does not line up with a fin or the fin won't fit flush. The tape is to pull the ring out when the front CR dries.


In goes the first fin. Wood glue here. Each fin was attached at the root, then the body stood on end and wood glue drizzled on each side of the fin root and let run forward to the forward centering ring.

 

[gdjsky01]

VOILÀ

The fins are attached as per the above post, the aft CR epoxied in. Then the Estes retainer threads epoxied on.

 

[gdjsky01]

Once everything dried, I just happen to have a H180 lying around and installed it to see what the extreme (for me anyway) CG/CP situation would be. :wink:

ROCKSIM said I was 'close'. Using rocksim's 24 inch CP figure, I thought... "Well... that CG is a tad close... stable but barely... "

"What are the odds I'll ever put an H180 in this? And get the casing back??? Slim. Very slim... But what about a H148 DMS? Now there there is no casing to lose..." :grin::grin::grin::wink:

So I grabbed an ounce and a half of little tiny lead sinkers, threw them into the hole in the nose and squirted some Gorilla glue on in thar. Then dribbled a little water in...

(Think rawhide song)
Foamin' foamin' foamin'...

 

[AKVP]

Hey Jeff-

Very nice build and nice mods. I thought about getting this kit. I know you mentioned that those were your opinions, I agree in many cases. But built stock, I see the advantages of surface mount fins. If you pop one of those fins off it is a MUCH easier repair than a broken, torn bass wood with ttw. I launch many surface mounted fins on H motors with no problems (as you mentioned) but I have to give a shout out to Quest. I think they make great stuff. This is a model rocket, not a high performance Wildman Jr.

Sometimes I see that people that are used to premium high power kits, pick up a model rocket kit and forget what it is....a model rocket kit. Then make their desired modifications while noting how crappy the original kit is/was. PLEASE don't think my tone is harsh here. I just write this in a conversational-friendly tone. I think that this kit stock...it what it is...a GOOD entry level mid power from Quest....

Please don't get me wrong, your mods are awesome, I just think in reply to your opinion about Quest, I just say if you see it for what it is and made for...it is a good kit when built stock.

 

[gdjsky01]

Thanks for the feedback. If you check my history I build from MicroMaxx to K. And I've been on the other side telling those that would overbuild a The Launch Pad rocket to build it for what it is. I just felt it's advertised as a mid-power rocket using Aerotech F's and it would retail for $45. For that price you could get a Defender from BadAzz, or an Aerotech IQSY, or even the Estes pro series. And I don't think this kit approaches those in durability or quality.

I certainly understand that 29mm powered rockets can have surface mounted fins. After all, we have 29mm min diameter. But I feel, and my experience now is, that if you are using 29mm motors, and are landing on the hard desert, go with TTW and basswood.

Thanks for reading and commenting!
Jeff

 

[JeromeK99]

Thanks for the feedback. If you check my history I build from MicroMaxx to K. And I've been on the other side telling those that would overbuild a The Launch Pad rocket to build it for what it is. I just felt it's advertised as a mid-power rocket using Aerotech F's and it would retail for $45. For that price you could get a Defender from BadAzz, or an Aerotech IQSY, or even the Estes pro series. And I don't think this kit approaches those in durability or quality.

I certainly understand that 29mm powered rockets can have surface mounted fins. After all, we have 29mm min diameter. But I feel, and my experience now is, that if you are using 29mm motors, and are landing on the hard desert, go with TTW and basswood.

Thanks for reading and commenting!
Jeff

Hey Jeff,

I'm curious what your High-Q ended up weighing in at?

I know I've seen you at both ROC & SCRA launches. Whenever I build a rocket around that size, I like to keep it under the 500gram (CA weight limit for "model rocketry") so I can launch it at SCRA.

All those other kits you mentioned for around the same price including the Estes Pro II series are too heavy!


Jerome

 

[Boosterdude]

Very smart changes, those kits should have been TTW with basswood fins from the start.

 

[gdjsky01]

Hey Jeff,

I'm curious what your High-Q ended up weighing in at?

I know I've seen you at both ROC & SCRA launches. Whenever I build a rocket around that size, I like to keep it under the 500gram (CA weight limit for "model rocketry") so I can launch it at SCRA.

All those other kits you mentioned for around the same price including the Estes Pro II series are too heavy!


Jerome

Final weight is yet to be determined. But so far, with the little 18 inch chute they gave me, and the Estes retainer, and a tad of nose weight. 7oz or roughly 200gms.
Should easily stay under 500g for the most common motors.

 

[gdjsky01]

After I got the first light coat of primer on I could see the state of the finish. Of course I knew the fins would be a tad rough. The spiral was more pronounced than I thought it was be... soooo




On goes the spot putty.

 

[gdjsky01]

After completely ruining the nose cone paint job (crinkled up)... letting it dry, wire wheeling it, sanding, filling, priming, and painting, the nose looks acceptable again.

​

 

[gdjsky01]

Some vinyl cut. Not easy to see until I weed them... the black is for the fins. The blue is the name. The silver is for the first H and the Q in the name.

​

 

[gdjsky01]

With the vinyl cut I went about placement.

Here's the first of six of these that needed transfer...

​

With all six fin sides done we place some 'interest' items.

​

 

[gdjsky01]

Next I substituted two chrome letters for two blue letters in my naming cutout.




And with two of those placed on the rocket and a roll pattern, we are ready for either a clear coat or a coat of future.

I like it!!! I like it a lot!

​

 

[TopRamen]

I like it a lot too! Very nice!!!

 

[qquake2k]

Great job, Jeff, especially on the vinyl! I would have gone with 1/8" plywood TTW fins, but just to maintain my over-building reputation.

 

[JPVegh]

Very nice rocket and a great mods too. Should be a great flyer for you.

 

[Boosterdude]

Sharp Jeff, nice work.

 

[hcmbanjo]

I like your decor better than the original kit!

 

[gdjsky01]

Captain: I did use TTW basswood. :handshake: It weights 7.7 ounces right now. Easily flyable on E28's in an adaptor and still be well under 500grams. Should scoot on a decent F.

Everyone: thanks! I am happy with how it turned out!

 

[Scotty Dog]

High Five Bro!!!!

 

[qquake2k]

Captain: I did use TTW basswood. :handshake: It weights 7.7 ounces right now. Easily flyable on E28's in an adaptor and still be well under 500grams. Should scoot on a decent F.

Everyone: thanks! I am happy with how it turned out!

7.7 ounces? I'll say it'll scoot on an F!

 

[gdjsky01]

It be launching tomorrow cept for the dude coughing his lungs out last Friday on the flight from St Louis. By Monday I had the sore throat, and today the cold is in full swing.



Oh well, next Saturday is the Sept edition of the ROC launch. Will load an E28 for the maiden... then... well... I gotta try one of those Ellis E12-10.

 

[gdjsky01]

E12??? Wrong rocket. I was thinking of the Sprint XL I am finishing up. Have to sim an Estes 29mm E and F as well. Could try a CTI F79. Love dem.

 

[gdjsky01]

And it flies. According to Estes, to about 1013' on an E28-7 in an adaptor.

 

[qquake2k]

Awesome!

 

[Trident]

Of all the kits I have laying around, why I would chose this one to build next is beyond me. But I did.

Funny that I would stumble on this post today. I've not done anything rocketry-related in about a year. I was in Hobby Lobby last week and saw the 29mm Estes BP motors, and was shocked. Decided I had to get a pack of the F15-6s. But all my 29mm rockets are way too heavy. Decided to scratch build something. I pulled out the Quest body tube and nose cone used in these big Quest kits. I could never rationalize the price of the kits, so I bought the nose cone and body tube back when Quest was selling parts. I think I paid maybe $8. It was a long stretch to add motor tube and centering rings and some balsa and decals to get to the stratospherically high prices they were going for (at the time -- maybe they have come down in price, haven't looked yet ...).

Anyway, looking at your build thread inspires me to do something with these parts. I've got a laser engraver at work which I've used to cut out lots of custom items, so fins and centering rings will be lasered out next week. I'm about 6 months from retirement, and I always planned to get back into model rocketry more seriously. I do believe an Epilog laser may be one of my retirement gifts to myself.

 

[cjp]

Hey Jeff-

Very nice build and nice mods. I thought about getting this kit. I know you mentioned that those were your opinions, I agree in many cases. But built stock, I see the advantages of surface mount fins. If you pop one of those fins off it is a MUCH easier repair than a broken, torn bass wood with ttw. I launch many surface mounted fins on H motors with no problems (as you mentioned) but I have to give a shout out to Quest. I think they make great stuff. This is a model rocket, not a high performance Wildman Jr.

Sometimes I see that people that are used to premium high power kits, pick up a model rocket kit and forget what it is....a model rocket kit. Then make their desired modifications while noting how crappy the original kit is/was. PLEASE don't think my tone is harsh here. I just write this in a conversational-friendly tone. I think that this kit stock...it what it is...a GOOD entry level mid power from Quest....

Please don't get me wrong, your mods are awesome, I just think in reply to your opinion about Quest, I just say if you see it for what it is and made for...it is a good kit when built stock.

Andrew is a club member who I have the most respect for,his builds scratch or kit are a thing of beauty and I have often asked his advice and help at our launches when building reload motors.A better person could not be found and I'm glad he's a part of our forum as he brings great advice and ideas.I think your choice of basswood and TTW fin mount and slot cutting came out great.I have not built any Quest kits,and wondered how the quality was.I like a few kits they have that I have seen on some store sites and hope someday to try them out.Just wanted to say your build came out very nice and hope it helps prevent any damage at your launch site.:handshake: