GrandpaTerry
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- May 16, 2017
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I have already learned a ton from reading this forum. There is so much information here, though sometimes it hard to find exactly what your looking for. I currently have 10 completed rockets including my prized SR-71 Blackbird. I started building rockets in 1968 at the age of 10.
I recently picked up a Star Orbiter Kit from HL with that wonderful 40% off coupon that I learned about on here. I'm a typical engineer and research things to death...it's a curse. I have decided to make just a few modifications to the standard build. First, I want to convert the front 6 inches of the BT to a payload compartment. Simple enough.
I am also using wood hardner on all body tubes to add strength. Questions: Should I also apply wood hardner to all balsa parts too? Should this be done before or after sanding? Should I fill the BT spirals before or after applying wood hardner?
I have decided not to use DD on this rocket, instead I'm planning on using a JL Chute Release. This brings me to the shock cord design. Rubber bands are short lived here in the desert. I want to use Kevlar cord inside the BT to just below the tube end where I will knot tubular nylon 3X the length of the longest rocket component. I think shrink sleeving over all the knots should provide a nice clean installation. The BT is fairly long from the engine mount to the tube end and I was considering attaching the Kevlar cord at the BT Coupling instead of the engine mount too minimize exposure of the cord to the ejection gasses. Question: How can I safely and securely attach the Kevlar cord at the body coupling?
I'm sure I'll have more questions as the build progresses. This is my first rocket using an "F" motor and I want to get it right the first time!
Thanks in advance! GrandpaTerry
I recently picked up a Star Orbiter Kit from HL with that wonderful 40% off coupon that I learned about on here. I'm a typical engineer and research things to death...it's a curse. I have decided to make just a few modifications to the standard build. First, I want to convert the front 6 inches of the BT to a payload compartment. Simple enough.
I am also using wood hardner on all body tubes to add strength. Questions: Should I also apply wood hardner to all balsa parts too? Should this be done before or after sanding? Should I fill the BT spirals before or after applying wood hardner?
I have decided not to use DD on this rocket, instead I'm planning on using a JL Chute Release. This brings me to the shock cord design. Rubber bands are short lived here in the desert. I want to use Kevlar cord inside the BT to just below the tube end where I will knot tubular nylon 3X the length of the longest rocket component. I think shrink sleeving over all the knots should provide a nice clean installation. The BT is fairly long from the engine mount to the tube end and I was considering attaching the Kevlar cord at the BT Coupling instead of the engine mount too minimize exposure of the cord to the ejection gasses. Question: How can I safely and securely attach the Kevlar cord at the body coupling?
I'm sure I'll have more questions as the build progresses. This is my first rocket using an "F" motor and I want to get it right the first time!
Thanks in advance! GrandpaTerry