Darkstar 4" DD

[Brewmast3r]

Hey guys, I will be getting my new Darkstar kit in the mail soon and needed some input from you guys. I know that it's basically just the bare bones of the rocket. (no chute or cords or anything). So my first question is what size chutes did you use, and did you nylon or Kevlar for your cords? Also if anyone has any saved build threads on the following of this kit from start to finish could you let me know? I looked and couldn't find one. Last is all the finished builds I've seen of the dark star they all have the same decals (most of them) i'm guessing those have to be specially made from somewhere? Let me know guys!

Thanks!

[GRIFFIN]

Hey guys, I will be getting my new Darkstar kit in the mail soon and needed some input from you guys. I know that it's basically just the bare bones of the rocket. (no chute or cords or anything). So my first question is what size chutes did you use, and did you nylon or Kevlar for your cords? Also if anyone has any saved build threads on the following of this kit from start to finish could you let me know? I looked and couldn't find one. Last is all the finished builds I've seen of the dark star they all have the same decals (most of them) i'm guessing those have to be specially made from somewhere? Let me know guys!

Thanks!

There are 7 versions of the DarkStar, What did you order? I have a few of them and can help with your questions. I also have a build thread for the Extreme on this forum.

1- mini (29mm motor)
2- lite (29mm motor)
3- DarkStar (original w/ 38mm motor)
4- 4'' single deploy (54mm motor)
5- 4'' dual deploy (54mm motor)
6- Extreme (75mm motor)
7- Ultimate (98mm motor)

[chadrog]

I'd guess the 4" DD...

[Brewmast3r]

There are 6 versions of the DarkStar, What version did you order?

1- mini (29mm motor)
2- lite (29mm motor)
3- DarkStar (original w/ 38mm motor)
4- 4'' dual deploy (54mm motor)
5- Extreme (75mm motor)
6- Ultimate (98mm motor)

4" dual deploy 54 mm motor

[bill2654]

Mark at StickerShock has decals for any size Darkstar and ANY other rocket you have. He also does excellent custom work. And probably the best build thread for Darkstars is Crazy Jim's-- http://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?t=12790 Shockcords are sor of a personal prefrence. Either one is fine.

[jpummil]

I *THINK* I remember Crazy Jim telling me I'd probably need a 70" 'chute if I use TopFlight.

My Darkstar 4" DD is in the fitting and labeling phase(s) right now as I plan to take my time and build it over the winter.

I am using a 1" wide Kevlar "Y" harness attached to the motor mount. From there, I will use 9/16" tubular nylon attached with a quik-link.

Edit:

The instructions for the Darkstar Extreme will work fine. Just remember that, as the Extreme is a bigger rocket, some of the dimensions such as vent hole location, etc will be off. The Extreme also uses a vent band on the Av Bay / Coupler which the 4" does not. I cut 1.5" off of my booster tube to make a vent band for mine.

[GRIFFIN]

I have flown mine about a dozen times and I use. 90" topflight ultra X . It seems to be a good size for that rocket. However, I am a fan of a nice slow recovery. I tend to put in the biggest the payload will hold.

[jpummil]

Afternoon GRIFFIN!

Good info to add to the collective

What's the weight of your 4" DD?

Largest and smallest motors you've used?

[dlb]

Standard 4" DD with a 54mm motor mount ( about 11 to 12 lb's )
or
Extreme 4" with a 75mm motor mount (about 13 to 14 lb's ) thicker fins.

a Top flight 70 or better is best!
but a X-chute needs more, like the 90" above.
I has seen a 120" fit in the payload bay ( very tight ) but drifted way to far for me.

Me, I have a "4" XX-treme, it has a 98mm motor mount or lack of any motor mount (MD)( I'm @ 10.5 lb's )and I use a TF black 70" chute, and just love it! As far as the drogue , I go Drogue-less.

[maxvelocity]

I used a 18" topflite xform at apogee and then a 7ft rocketman main. All kevlar cord. I didn't use these chutes based on any specifics data or anything just because i had them and they actually worked perfect. If I were to fly higher is probably just use a streamer at apogee for visability.

[GRIFFIN]

Afternoon GRIFFIN!

Good info to add to the collective

What's the weight of your 4" DD?

Largest and smallest motors you've used?

Jeff,

Mine IS the Extreme (75mm motor mount, thicker fins) I think mine is right around 14 pounds. I have flown it on everything from 4 grain 54mm K's to 6 grain 75mm M's.
It is a great rocket and I regret not picking one up last year for the 99$ black saturday deal. I will not pass that up again if it is part of this years sale.

[dixontj93060]

It is a great rocket and I regret not picking one up last year for the 99$ black saturday deal. I will not pass that up again if it is part of this years sale.

I picked up the DS4DD for $99 last year and am turning it into an Extreme of sorts with carbon fiber on the fins (reducing the TTW depth in the process) and installing a 75mm G12 MMT with 3/8" ply CRs. BTW, I'm also doing the same on my Rocketry Warehouse X-Celerator ("X-Treme X-Celerator").

[Brewmast3r]

So i'm reading through Jim's build of his DS and hes drilling holes for rivets and shear pins. I'm completely new to using these in rocket builds. Could someone explain the use for them? Thanks!

[blackjack2564]

So i'm reading through Jim's build of his DS and hes drilling holes for rivets and shear pins. I'm completely new to using these in rocket builds. Could someone explain the use for them? Thanks!

Rivets are for holding the Av-bay into the payload, so you can prep the charges[for dual-deploy], then insert the assembly ready to fly into the payload. They are re-usable.

Shearpins are used to keep the nose cone in place. No more worrying about how much tape to wrap around it for proper tightness. The break upon deployment

[Brewmast3r]

Jim,

What was the length of the Kevlar strap you epoxied on both sides of the MMT?

[blackjack2564]

8-9 ft with a loop tied on on end.

[UPscaler]

The extreme version we have was flown with a 70" chute...which is plenty, it ain't gonna get hurt! It's all glass!





Braden

[Brewmast3r]

Then from that loop, do i attach another piece of cord to the payload? I was reading the build PDF for the extreme and you said this...
Approximately 9 yards of 9/16 TN attached to fincan & payload.
Approximately 6 yards of 9/16 TN attached to payload and NC.

I'm guessing that the 9 yards is broken up into two sections with a quick link in the middle, is that possible? or no?

8-9 ft with a loop tied on on end.

[blackjack2564]

Just to be clear:

The 8-9ft is the Y-harness with loop in the end, glued on the MM tube as seen in pic.




The longer of the 2 shock cords [9yrds.] is then attached to the Y-harness & the other end to the av-bay/payload. If going drogueless.....you are done. If using a drogue, tie an overhand loop in the shockcord 3-4 feet from payload and attach drogue here. You want the drogue close to the payload to keep it higher than the fincan while free-falling from apogee.

This way when the main deploys, it is above the fincan, preventing the fincan from entangling with the main.

[jpummil]

Wow! That's a lot of 9/16" TN!!! Of course, I bought a 100' roll, so no worries

I was sanding outer fillets today. Maybe have the whole thing primered by Tuesday morning. Also have my 70" TopFlight 'chute now. And my StickerShock vinyl!

[Brewmast3r]

Where can i get a sled for my AV bay. I cant find them on wildman unless im looking in the wrong area.

[jpummil]

Have to fashion one out of plywood or G10 plate. A million ways to do it...none really wrong.

My sled setup:

and


Just getting ready to drill holes, add wiring, etc.

[Brewmast3r]

I also noticed that my kit didn't come with a vent band. Are those only supplied with the higher builds? Is it needed?

[jpummil]

Not shipped with the 4" DD's anyway. Necessary...no. I just lopped off a bit of my booster tube to add one just because. CJ actually advises otherwise I think...

[chadrog]

My Darkstar Extreme did not include a sled, but it did have a vent band. Fortunately, my last box of goodies from Crazy Jim had a perfect piece o' glass hidden inside - I was gonna preserve the autograph in epoxy...

[Fe Dude]

Regarding the lack of vent band:
Here

and

here

Those are Vindicators, but they are pretty much the same as a darkstar as far as the build goes.

My vindicator is 13lb empty, I bring it down with a 60" sky angle.