rharshberger
Well-Known Member
I would like to reserve next 7-8 posts before starting thread, thanks to CJ I like doing my build this way with the majority of the build in the first few posts then the discussion afterwards.
After posting in the "What did you do rocket wise today thread" about this rocket I decided to do the build thread on it.
Photo 1: Airframe being wrapped with a single layer each of 2oz FG and 7oz FG, more for durability than any other reason, this almost double the weight of the airframe tube after priming.
Photo 2: Fins under compression, the lightening cut-outs were filled with left over balsa from the fins, then each side of the core received a single layer of 7oz FG using US Composite 635 laminating epoxy (its what I use for nearly all my rocket composite work).
Photo 3 and 4: airframe after priming and lathe sanding and filling with bondo spot and glazing putty, more still to be done after assembly.
Photo 5: Fins bevelled, using a 8" disc sander and Coker style jig ( see John Cokers great tutorials). The fins were also papered using self-adhesive label paper and the edges sealed with CA then sanded.
Photo 6 and 7: Fins, Upper Recovery mount and Chute shelf and rail button block, and assembled motor mount with T-nuts and block for rail button.
Photos 8-10: close ups of the motor mount motor retention system, I use the Kaplow style clips (screen door screen retention clips available from my local hardware stores Hillman fasteners section). The 8-32 T-nuts are inserted through 1/4" pilot holes pressed into place, they are taller than the thickness of the CR, the t-nuts are then removed, epoxy placed around holes and the t-nuts pressed back into place. Once the epoxy cures the t-nuts are sanded/ground flush with the face of the CR, then a 8-32 tap is used to chase the threads and the face of the t-nuts are re-chamfered to make inserting the screws easier. The t-nut spurs are actually bent over with a vise prior to sanding, I have yet to have a t-nut come loose. Motor mount is mostly assembled with TBII.
After posting in the "What did you do rocket wise today thread" about this rocket I decided to do the build thread on it.
Photo 1: Airframe being wrapped with a single layer each of 2oz FG and 7oz FG, more for durability than any other reason, this almost double the weight of the airframe tube after priming.
Photo 2: Fins under compression, the lightening cut-outs were filled with left over balsa from the fins, then each side of the core received a single layer of 7oz FG using US Composite 635 laminating epoxy (its what I use for nearly all my rocket composite work).
Photo 3 and 4: airframe after priming and lathe sanding and filling with bondo spot and glazing putty, more still to be done after assembly.
Photo 5: Fins bevelled, using a 8" disc sander and Coker style jig ( see John Cokers great tutorials). The fins were also papered using self-adhesive label paper and the edges sealed with CA then sanded.
Photo 6 and 7: Fins, Upper Recovery mount and Chute shelf and rail button block, and assembled motor mount with T-nuts and block for rail button.
Photos 8-10: close ups of the motor mount motor retention system, I use the Kaplow style clips (screen door screen retention clips available from my local hardware stores Hillman fasteners section). The 8-32 T-nuts are inserted through 1/4" pilot holes pressed into place, they are taller than the thickness of the CR, the t-nuts are then removed, epoxy placed around holes and the t-nuts pressed back into place. Once the epoxy cures the t-nuts are sanded/ground flush with the face of the CR, then a 8-32 tap is used to chase the threads and the face of the t-nuts are re-chamfered to make inserting the screws easier. The t-nut spurs are actually bent over with a vise prior to sanding, I have yet to have a t-nut come loose. Motor mount is mostly assembled with TBII.
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