Another 3" Minimum Diameter Build. Rockets name: "BoomStick"

I'm building this for AirFest. It is designed specifically for the 75/6000 research motor I have. Here is some of the specifications and materials.
Airframe is a 48" Carbon Fiber reinforced PML 3" tube (3 layers of 5.7oz 2x2 twill)
Nose Cone is a PR 3" VonKarman
Fins are 3/16" Aircraft Plywood sandwiched between 2 layers of the carbon cloth. Then 2 more layers tip to tip.
Rocket will be dual deployment out the front end with a cable cutter.
Electronics will be a Raven Flight Controller and a Beeline 70cm GPS transmitter.

Here is the airframe with the nose cone after layup was completed.

This is the fin sandwich being made.
2 layers each side of 5.7oz 2x2 twill carbon fiber with a 3/16 plywood core
Carbon weight 48 grams. I mixed a 100 gram batch of epoxy. Added milled glass and Cabosil to harden it up some.
Oops I forgot to weight the core? Oh well! It'll interesting to see the finished weight.

Here is my fin pattern. I'll cut 4 fins out the carbon fiber sandwich.

Love the rocket design, and build... what flavor do you have in mind for the 6000 case?

[video=youtube;pFriRcIwqNU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=110&v=pFriRcIwqNU[/video]

Are you going to go tip to tip with a final layer of CF after the fins are mounted?

DRAGON64 said:

Love the rocket design, and build... what flavor do you have in mind for the 6000 case?

[video=youtube;pFriRcIwqNU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=110&v=pFriRcIwqNU[/video]

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I have a white and a blue. I also have a white moon burner. Should be fun!

EeebeeE said:

Are you going to go tip to tip with a final layer of CF after the fins are mounted?

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Yes, two layers of 5.7oz 2x2 twill carbon. I stager the layers to help break up harmonics.

I pulled my laminated fin material out of the press. Now I have to trim it and cut the fins out.

BayouRat said:

I have a white and a blue. I also have a white moon burner. Should be fun!

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Looks good! You are going to have a very lightweight rocket indeed. Use whatever motor you want but the others will be using a white propellant. On second thought, use the moonie so our rockets will be gone well before your motor comes up to pressure and Boom Stick comes apart Lol!

Kaycee said:

Looks good! You are going to have a very lightweight rocket indeed. Use whatever motor you want but the others will be using a white propellant. On second thought, use the moonie so our rockets will be gone well before your motor comes up to pressure and Boom Stick comes apart Lol!

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For the drag race it is getting the Blue. Be very afraid! LOL!

BayouRat said:

Here is the airframe with the nose cone after layup was completed.

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Love the picture on the wall. I recognize it!

After 2 hours trying to get a carbon fiber splinter removed from my right index finger. The Boom Stick's fins are born.

Postman came bearing gifts! A piece of G10 for my nose cone ebay, a base for my nose cone ebay, and a shock cord for a different project.

I made a fin jig and now the fins are going on with JB Weld.

Boomstick is starting to look like a rocket. Now for filets and tip to tip.

Just finished the last of the filets. U.S. Composites thick epoxy with milled glass and cobosil added.

Looking good... Cabosil, how do you like working with it? I have used micro-ballons as a filler, but I am about out now. I was wondering if the Cabosil would be a good replacement.

Microballoons reduce strength and makes the epoxy easier to sand. You should use those when you are making a filler or sanding layer. Cabosil is very light weight and makes the epoxy rock hard and very hard to sand. It very cheap and a little goes a long way. I would recommend buying some and trying it out before you commit to using it on a rocket project. I have all different kinds of fillers from microballons to milled Kevlar. I've tried them all. I don't use the microballons any more. I just use automotive body filler for filling. It's much cheaper then epoxy and sands easier for paint prepping.

But to each his own. What works for me. May not work for you. I always test different methods before using them on a rocket project.

Second fin segment is getting two layers of tip to tip carbon fiber.
Before

After with peel ply.

That's one lean, mean, rocket machine...looking good

Kaycee said:

That's one lean, mean, rocket machine...looking good

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I got my fingers crossed that it holds together when I slams up against the Mach monster. :surprised:

Two down. Two to go.

First I make a template.
Then I cut the carbon fiber with a cloth wheel cutter.
Then I cut the peel ply much larger so I have something to hold when I go to peel it off.

The tip to tip reinforcement has been completed. Now I am going to add two small pads for rail button attachment points. Then it will be a week of sanding and filling before its off to the paint shop.

Boomstick is now in the paint shop. Getting ready for its first coat of primmer.

So what colors... or maybe I missed that in the tread already...(?)

Does the rocket need a logo sticker?

DRAGON64 said:

So what colors... or maybe I missed that in the tread already...(?)

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Cartoon Dynamite Red of course.

Just got Boomstick back from the paint shop. The color is Wicked Red.