Bucky Jones (PemTech) build thread

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jcsalem

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Just started on the Pemberton Technologies' Bucky Jones kit. This is the original mid-power version of the kit.

This a rocket I wanted as soon as I saw it! I love curvy fins and this has some great ones. It's styling is unique and futuristic. It is 3" in diameter with a 29mm motor mount.

Bought the kit in December and am just starting it now. It's about third priority on the rocket projects I'm working on so it may take awhile. However, I'll periodically post my comments along the way.

Here's a photo:
BuckyJones700x466.jpg


Jim
 
Below is a photo of the kit as it arrives.

I found the components of very good quality.
- Centering Rings are 3/16" plywood
- Fins are 1/8" plywood
- Top-Flight nylon parachute, and a serious nylon shock cord
- Heavy Duty body tube and motor mount

I've read the instructions through and they are GREAT! Very detailed (42 steps!) including lots of photos. What sets them apart is that they are also hilarious! Layne's humor keeps 'em fun.

The CD is a novel add-in. It contains all the instructions in DOC and PDF format, a RockSim file of the design, and a demo copy of RockSim.

The build starts by cutting the body tube at an angle using the provided template.

<img src="https://www.rocketryforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=40479&d=1180847252">
 
I got mine back in December, too (#14). And, like you, I also had to have it as soon as I saw it. I've been holding off building it until I have my motor situation sorted out (should be soon now). I'm looking forward to reading about your build. :)
 
I WON a mid-power Bucky Jones at the last S.P.A.R.C. Launch!!! This is my first mid-power kit with a 29mm mmt & I can't believe the great quality of the kit! As stated, that's a serious shock-cord!!!Don't have to worry about that sucker breaking! The bright yellow ripstop chute is beautiful & the highest quality. The dvdrom is a really neat extra too. I got # 20, written on the header in sharpie!:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
I've made a couple of threads in the past about getting ready to build a mid-power rocket (other than 24mm E) but never carried through with them. This will be my first true 29mm mid-power kit! Talk about doing it in style!!!Have you seen those gorgeous lines again!:D I'm a little scared though..........this will probably open up the floodgates on APCP.:eek:
-In the picture, couldn't ya just see "the wires suspending the rocket & the sparks shooting out the multiple engines"!:D
OMG-I just checked out the website link & it's an $80 rocket. It's well worth it, though! No corners cut here. I'm just shocked that I won it!!!
 
I think it's definitely worth the $79. I've built quite a few mid and high-power custom rockets. Making fins like this on your own without snapping off the fin tip is very hard. This kit's quality components aren't cheap. It's a great design, top notch materials, and I expect to keep it a long time. [Provided I don't get crazy with an H97J at NERRF].

FWIW, mine is #12.

Jim
 
Well I got the tubes sanded, the angled cut done on the BT and started on the fin slotting.

Unfortunately, when I looked more closely at the kit's contents I found that one of the components is incorrect or missing. I've written PemTech support (presumably, Layne) and so we'll get a chance to check out their support.

Of course, I didn't want to make it too easy for Layne. I just told him he should be able to figure out what's wrong from looking at the photo above! ;) :p

It'd be nice to get this done in time for NERRF but I have a PML Cirrus Dart to finish (actually, I haven't started it), two electronics bays to complete, three rockets to paint, two birthday parties to throw, and a ton of poison ivy to pick from around my house. Wish me luck!

Jim
 
Jim,

I hope you do get this done for NERRF, I'd like to see it. ;)
I haven't had the chance to see a PemTech kit.
I've got one of the new Space Arc Jr.s coming next week. :)
 
Originally posted by jcsalem
Unfortunately, when I looked more closely at the kit's contents I found that one of the components is incorrect or missing. I've written PemTech support (presumably, Layne) and so we'll get a chance to check out their support.

Of course, I didn't want to make it too easy for Layne. I just told him he should be able to figure out what's wrong from looking at the photo above!

Hehe. So I'm not going mad after all. I noticed that earlier. Perhaps you got the unmanned version? ;)

Actually, there looks to be a couple of differences in our kits. I'll try and get a photo and post it later.

btw - Layne travelled to NSL for the w/e, so he might be away from a computer for a few days.

It'd be nice to get this done in time for NERRF but I have a PML Cirrus Dart to finish (actually, I haven't started it), two electronics bays to complete, three rockets to paint, two birthday parties to throw, and a ton of poison ivy to pick from around my house. Wish me luck!

Good luck! I wasn't kidding when I said I'm keen to see your build. GLR claim that the Talon is the world's sexiest rocket, but with the BJ-SC I think it has serious competition. :D

Rob, you lucky dog! You won yours. I think I could say that I stole mine. :p
 
OK Jim...
I'm busted....
Or rather the QC Gnomes are busted!
Have to spank their little hind-ends.
You replacement part went out this morning USPS Priority mail.

Bad Gnomes..
Bad Gnomes..
 
I won one of these at NSL - I think I'm going to work on it next.

Layne: The nose weight bag. What is this stuff, or should I say, how did you get tear-shaped lead? Do you have a pet lead monster in your basement, and you told him something to make him cry? Or did the Underpants Gnomes give him a painful wedgie?
 
Originally posted by DaveCombs
I won one of these at NSL - I think I'm going to work on it next.

Layne: The nose weight bag. What is this stuff, or should I say, how did you get tear-shaped lead? Do you have a pet lead monster in your basement, and you told him something to make him cry? Or did the Underpants Gnomes give him a painful wedgie?

Lead Monster wedgies?
And I thought I was disturbed.....
 
Thanks, Layne! [For those who were wondering, my kit had two dorsal fins and just one wing. The fin tabs are in different places.]

Since DaveCombs mentioned the nose weight, I was wondering if I needed all of it or if you're being extra-conservative? It seems like quite a bit for a rocket with large fins that extend well behind the motor. How much do you trust the RockSim-calculated CP?

Thanks again!

Jim
 
Originally posted by jcsalem
Thanks, Layne! [For those who were wondering, my kit had two dorsal fins and just one wing. The fin tabs are in different places.]

Since DaveCombs mentioned the nose weight, I was wondering if I needed all of it or if you're being extra-conservative? It seems like quite a bit for a rocket with large fins that extend well behind the motor. How much do you trust the RockSim-calculated CP?

Thanks again!

Jim

From a fliers standpoint, with that nose weight she has flown on everything from a 24mm F-39, through an F40, F52, G64 to a G77 at NSL. So it seems to work quite well.
From a Company Spokesman point of view, USE IT ALL! We at Pem Tech cannot be responsible for damages, fire, earthquakes or speared cattle due to a lack of nose weight.
 
Originally posted by DaveCombs
I won one of these at NSL - I think I'm going to work on it next.

Layne: The nose weight bag. What is this stuff, or should I say, how did you get tear-shaped lead? Do you have a pet lead monster in your basement, and you told him something to make him cry? Or did the Underpants Gnomes give him a painful wedgie?

Actually, using a butane torch I melt lead ingots suspended about one inch over a container of water. The drops don't splatter and solidify into those cool Lead Monster Tears.

Though I do like the wedgie idea.
 
Originally posted by Pem Tech
And I thought I was disturbed.....
You have no idea... To wit: I had imagined they were made exactly the way you describe, by letting hot lead fall into water.

The sick part? Guess where I was when I had that picture form in my head...

Everyone take a moment to call your respective therapist to get that image out of your heads.
 
Originally posted by DaveCombs
You have no idea... To wit: I had imagined they were made exactly the way you describe, by letting hot lead fall into water.

The sick part? Guess where I was when I had that picture form in my head...

Everyone take a moment to call your respective therapist to get that image out of your heads.



Would someone please gouge out my minds' eye, please?
 
Originally posted by Pem Tech
Actually, using a butane torch I melt lead ingots suspended about one inch over a container of water. The drops don't splatter and solidify into those cool Lead Monster Tears.

Though I do like the wedgie idea.

Huh, i wondered how you did that!
 
A full replacement set of fins arrived from Layne on Friday. They're laser cut now. Very nice...

I made a bit of progress over the weekend. Got the fins sanded, fin slots cut into the BT, and carved the little swept-back "nose probes" out of the basswood stock. [Gack! Isn't there a better name than "nose probe"?]

I cut the TTW fin slots using an Xacto blade. It would've been faster with the Dremel but it's loud and I'm more prone to error with it.

It looks like I have a bunch of tricky steps ahead that involve assembling parts but only gluing some of them together and then removing the unglued parts. Given how messy I tend to work, this should be interesting.

I'm also trying to decide whether to foam the fin can as the instructions state or to just epoxy fiberglass strips over the fin tab-MMT junctions. The latter is lighter and seems to be at least as reliable. I've had problems in the past where a fin would break away from the MM tube inside a foamed fin can. Having the fin can foamed made the repair much more difficult. On the other hand, fiberglassing six fin-MMT junctions takes alot longer than just pouring in the two part foam. On the other hand, it's hard to judge the amount of foam and I often end up having to scrape out the extra which is a pain.

Jim

PS: I'll add a photo of my "dry fit" later tonight.
 
Originally posted by jcsalem
A full replacement set of fins arrived from Layne on Friday. They're laser cut now. Very nice...

Those are cut by our very own Don of Squirrel Works fame!


Originally posted by jcsalem
I made a bit of progress over the weekend. Got the fins sanded, fin slots cut into the BT, and carved the little swept-back "nose probes" out of the basswood stock. [Gack! Isn't there a better name than "nose probe"?]

You know you like that name....
Admit it...


Originally posted by jcsalem

I'm also trying to decide whether to foam the fin can as the instructions state or to just epoxy fiberglass strips over the fin tab-MMT junctions. The latter is lighter and seems to be at least as reliable. I've had problems in the past where a fin would break away from the MM tube inside a foamed fin can. Having the fin can foamed made the repair much more difficult. On the other hand, fiberglassing six fin-MMT junctions takes alot longer than just pouring in the two part foam. On the other hand, it's hard to judge the amount of foam and I often end up having to scrape out the extra which is a pain.

A beta tester of ours has explored other means of affixing the fins inside the fin can. Once method is to epoxy large diameter dowel rods on either side of the TTW tab. Fiberglassing would surely work as well, and I would guess be stronger than foam.
 
Here's a photo of the dry fit (pre-glue) assembly. You can see those scary nose probes lying on either side of the rocket.

<img src="https://www.rocketryforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=40769&d=1181622018">

BTW, I always use a belt sander to round the edges of plywood fins. It's quick and easy.

Jim
 
I picked up a Bucky Jones and a Jr at NSL and they have come up on my building queue. I totally messed up the fins on the Jr so I will need to pick up more plywood stock.

But my Bucky Jones is proceeding great. Fins dry mount nicely, the exhaust tubes look great, and the MMT is made for Econojets.

I think I like the look without the nose cone fins so will probably skip those.

I will post some photos tomorrow night.

If I epoxy the fins with the fillets inside the BT, can I skip the whole foam thing?

James.
 
Originally posted by jimmyk
I picked up a Bucky Jones and a Jr at NSL and they have come up on my building queue. I totally messed up the fins on the Jr so I will need to pick up more plywood stock.

But my Bucky Jones is proceeding great. Fins dry mount nicely, the exhaust tubes look great, and the MMT is made for Econojets.

I think I like the look without the nose cone fins so will probably skip those.

I will post some photos tomorrow night.

If I epoxy the fins with the fillets inside the BT, can I skip the whole foam thing?

James.

You can skip the foam, it is just structural reenforcement for the TTW tabs, but make sure you do some honkin' fillets cause if a TTW tab breaks loose there is no way to get to it.

Send me your address and I'll ship you out more ply for the Little Bucky, no charge.

Can't wait for the pics!
 
Here's a photo of the completed nose cone work. There were two parts:

1) Added nose weight. In addition to following Layne's "destructions", I scuffed up the interior of the nosecone's tip so the epoxy would bond better. Used sandpaper attached to a thin dowel.

2) Created a new shock cord attachment point by cutting slits in the bottom of the nose cone using a Dremel tool. This is a very good idea to avoid the flimsy plastic "eye" on the end of the nose cone. To see the difference, compare the parts photo of the nose cone above to this one.

<img src="https://www.rocketryforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=41025&d=1182291269">

Jim

nosecone.jpg
 
This photo shows a couple views of the motor retainer glued onto the motor mount tube. The bottom photo shows the retainer with a 29/120 casing installed (I want to fly the Bucky on a G77R sometime!)

As you can see, it's just a thick wire bent around the motor and epoxied to the motor mount tube. Although the retainer looks non-standard, it lies inbetween the "exhaust tubes" better than a thick engine hook like AT uses. For larger motors, it will be more reliable than the thin LPR (Estes) engine hooks.

The destructions said to just epoxy the wires to the tube. However, I put a little scrap fiberglass on top of the bond to distribute the force across more of the tube. To make sure the wires fit inbetween the exhaust tubes, I first placed the tubes around the MMT and marked where I should glue the wire. I cut the notches into the centering ring using a round hobby file.

At the top of the photo are the "exhaust tubes" that surround the MMT. To get straight cuts on the BT-20 sized tubes, I used a tube I got from ASP that narrowly fits over a BT-20. This let me draw a perfectly straight line around the tube.

<img src="https://www.rocketryforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=41026&d=1182292308">

I'm going to take a break on the Bucky J until NERRF is over. See ya next week!

Jim

mmt.jpg
 
Originally posted by jcsalem
I'm going to take a break on the Bucky J until NERRF is over. See ya next week!

Jim
So we won't see it at NERRF but do you think it'll be ready for the July Amesbury launch?
 
Originally posted by BobH48
So we won't see it at NERRF but do you think it'll be ready for the July Amesbury launch?

Definitely, if I'm in town for it! I'm still planning to have it for the CMASS Acton launch on June 30th.
 
Such a sweet looking design. The moon and stars are finally starting to align for me, so I'm hoping to get started on mine soon.
 
So having that wire in front of the jet plume won't affect anything?
 
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