3" Semi-Scale Bullpup Build

I still believe that the fin alignment jig is the best thing I ever made for rocketry. It has served me very well over the years. Using it, I got the fins epoxied on. I still have to do internal and external fillets. I'll be using a different method for the canard fins. It's looking good, if I do say so myself!

Looks great Jim. Good to see you bust out the 'ol fin jig again.

That jig is nice! And so simple. It took me a moment to figure it out from these pics, but I like it. I assume there are more details in another thread?

Thanks!

This build thread is tempting me buy a good band saw and lathe. But even if I had top-of-the-line tools, I doubt that I would be able to produce this level of craftsmanship.

BDB said:

This build thread is tempting me buy a good band saw and lathe. But even if I had top-of-the-line tools, I doubt that I would be able to produce this level of craftsmanship.

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It's not as hard as you think.
There is a couple books to get to read before you buy that will help tremendously.
I have them both, no use to me anymore.
For a nominal price I'll dig them out of storage.
"THIS" is the one I have on the Band Saw.
"THIS" (I believe) is the one I have on the Lathe.

qquake2k said:

In my case, I was blessed with a father and grandfather who were both experienced woodworkers. And my father was an accomplished wood turner, although I was pretty young at the time. Most of my turning skill I picked up as an adult, learning as I went. I will say that I feel an immense sense of accomplishment when I turn a nose cone.

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+1, its fun to turn nose cones. Scale cones are kind of technically more difficult than general shapes, but both are fun. Let the chips fly!

qquake2k said:

In my case, I was blessed with a father and grandfather who were both experienced woodworkers. And my father was an accomplished wood turner, although I was pretty young at the time. Most of my turning skill I picked up as an adult, learning as I went. I will say that I feel an immense sense of accomplishment when I turn a nose cone.

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I said it before and I'll say it again.Your an image of your father and grandfather.You have natural skills that were passed down.You're very lucky my friend.It's not only your skills as a woodworker or rocket builder,you're always there for family and friends.

cjp said:

I said it before and I'll say it again.Your an image of your father and grandfather.You have natural skills that were passed down.You're very lucky my friend.It's not only your skills as a woodworker or rocket builder,you're always there for family and friends.

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Thank you Carl.

Since this is a "semi-scale", I've been playing around with different color schemes. I kind of like the red and black, #4.

I vote for #4 or #6.

BDB said:

This build thread is tempting me buy a good band saw and lathe. But even if I had top-of-the-line tools, I doubt that I would be able to produce this level of craftsmanship.

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Jims builds have been the inspiration of a few tool purchases I imagine.:wink:

bill2654 said:

Jims builds have been the inspiration of a few tool purchases I imagine.:wink:

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Hey, just doing my part to keep the industry healthy!

As I've done in the past, I used a length of aluminum angle clamped to the rear fins, to epoxy the canard fins to the body tube. Another tip I picked up here on the forum. It's looking like a Bullpup!

qquake2k said:

Since this is a "semi-scale", I've been playing around with different color schemes. I kind of like the red and black, #4.

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I always liked a red rocket scheme.I think mine was more like no.5.Can't find my photos at the moment.

cjp said:

I always liked a red rocket scheme.I think mine was more like no.5.Can't find my photos at the moment.

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That's only because red is your favorite color!

qquake2k said:

That's only because red is your favorite color!

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I found my thread Nov.13 2013 with pictures but forgot how to post it.And yes it's my favorite color!!

qquake2k said:

Since this is a "semi-scale", I've been playing around with different color schemes. I kind of like the red and black, #4.

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I like 6 and 5 the best, but it ain't my rocket. Coming along really nicely.

Sorry I'm late to this party. You're makin' TRF great again Captain !

I'm partial to white nose cones.

I'd vote #4. Second would be #2.

Regardless of color scheme, this will be the decal.

I like the decal.
As for color, white, orange, green, purple & black.
(Arctic Cat Colors)
White nose cone
Purple body tube
Orange Canards
Green Fins
Black tail cone

Woody's Workshop said:

I like the decal.
As for color, white, orange, green, purple & black.
(Arctic Cat Colors)
White nose cone
Purple body tube
Orange Canards
Green Fins
Black tail cone

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Sounds like a clown rocket. LOL

Got my usual lame fillets done.

qquake2k said:

Regardless of color scheme, this will be the decal.

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Really nice,Stickershock?It will look great!!

qquake2k said:

That turned out really nice, Carl!

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?60273-Estes-Bull-Pup&highlight=bullpup

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Thanks for posting that thread.It's been a long time that I posted anything and I don't have my old pictures on my PC.