How to make a nose cone?

I am building a rocket and the body tube is made from 1 inch pvc. What is the best material to make the nose cone out of? How should I make the nose cone?
Thanks!

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?t=27382

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?t=27041

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?t=27041

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?t=26305

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?t=26305

Good search terms include Lathe, foam nose cone,paper nose cone, and similar. Also definitely look for a recent (within last month) thread on dollar store finds. Some great stuff there!

Here's Scotty Dog's Dollar Tree nose cone thread:

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?t=28544

Check out this issue of the Apogee newsletter for an interesting method of making a foam nose cone without using a lathe:

https://www.apogeerockets.com/education/downloads/Newsletter87.pdf

Heres a parts list and photo of a home made scrap wood and electric drill Lathe makes excellent BT-5 to 9" diameter Nosecones. Balsa, Basswood, Blue or Pink closed cell Styrofoam insulation board, or some of the high density sign boards make excellent nosecone materials.

If you don't want to build a lathe for between 100-150 bucks one can purchase any number of decent wood Lathes for turning cones.

Please pic another material for you model body. PVC is a very poor choice; its not all that stiff, it's way to thick walled, heavy to the exteme and fragments if the motor Catos...just NOT a good choice for model bodies. Safety first always!

gpoehlein said:

Check out this issue of the Apogee newsletter for an interesting method of making a foam nose cone without using a lathe:

https://www.apogeerockets.com/education/downloads/Newsletter87.pdf

Click to expand...

Thats a really good idea. I think im going to try that.
And thanks to everyone else for all the ideas!

PVC for body tubes isn't THAT bad a choice, as long as the correct material is used. PVC water pipe is pretty fragile stuff. There are other, much stronger tube shaped PVC materials available.

Furniture grade PVC pipe has 4 to 6 times the impact strength of water pipe. In a 1" pipe, SCH 40 is heavy, but there are other wall thicknesses available. Eric, with BaddAzz Rocketry, uses 125 PSI pipe, which, in 1" pipe, has a wall thickness of .060"-.065", depending on the manufacturer (compared to a nominal thickness of .135" for SCH 40). Eric's rockets are MPR and HPR.

Furniture grade PVC has additives such a polyethylene and acrylic that increase the impact and tensile strengths of the pipe. The addition of polyethylene adds a safety factor similar to that of tempered safety glass. When high impact PVC breaks, it is usually more likely to break into smaller pieces, making it less hazardous than the shrapnel emitted from shattered water pipe.

While PVC may not be as safe or light as paper or cardboard, as a body tube, PVC is a viable alternative, as long as the motor will support the weight of the rocket.