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Thread: advice on a repair

  1. #1
    Join Date
    24th February 2012
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    advice on a repair

    So, I did something dumb when I was building my BatRok. when attaching the Kevlar shock cord to the thrust ring, I set the knot with CA.

    The rocket flew once and was recovered just fine, but the Kevlar broke when I was prepping the rocket for a second flight. The point of failure is (no surprise) at the thrust ring where I got CA on the kevlar, and I'm not sure of the best way to re-attach the recovery system. I'm thinking of using a bit of epoxy clay to affix the Kevlar just forward of the thrust ring.

    For those tht are curious, the design of this rocket has the kevlar running out the aft of the body tube, up the outside, and back in the forward end, there the elastic and chute are housed. This allows the rocket to come down inverted, protecting the point fin tips, and helping to prevent the chute from getting tangled on the forward canards)

    Right now, it's basically a desk-display model, and I'd like to fly it again.

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    typically on mid sized birds the kevlar is epoxied to the motor tube...if it works for a 2 lb rocket, it should work for something smaller .
    rex

  3. #3
    Join Date
    13th February 2009
    Location
    Crossville, TN
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    Quote Originally Posted by rbelknap View Post

    So, I did something dumb when I was building my BatRok. when attaching the Kevlar shock cord to the thrust ring, I set the knot with CA.

    The rocket flew once and was recovered just fine, but the Kevlar broke when I was prepping the rocket for a second flight. The point of failure is (no surprise) at the thrust ring where I got CA on the kevlar, and I'm not sure of the best way to re-attach the recovery system. I'm thinking of using a bit of epoxy clay to affix the Kevlar just forward of the thrust ring.

    For those tht are curious, the design of this rocket has the kevlar running out the aft of the body tube, up the outside, and back in the forward end, there the elastic and chute are housed. This allows the rocket to come down inverted, protecting the point fin tips, and helping to prevent the chute from getting tangled on the forward canards)

    Right now, it's basically a desk-display model, and I'd like to fly it again.

    Go to: www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?t=33038

    See post #9 by plano-doug and click on the words "draft page".

    The motor retention set up could be modifiyed and used as an anchor point for the kevlar shock cord by using one t-nut.

    Something like a tear drop shaped washer with two holes, one for the screw and one for the kevlar would make an anchor.
    The process is continuous...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    19th January 2009
    Location
    Branford, CT
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    1,474
    If you have enough MM exposed above the CR add another CR the same way, Just don't use the CA.

    Gary Tortora
    TRA 11898 L3
    ProLine Rocketry Sales & Support
    sales@prolinerocketry.com

    203.836.4014

    Ns Burned 2010 - 76,344
    Ns Burned 2011 - 93,595
    Ns Burned 2012 - 71,386
    Ns Burned 2013 - 35,330

  5. #5
    Join Date
    13th February 2009
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    Crossville, TN
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    Quote Originally Posted by bradycros View Post

    Go to: www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?t=33038

    See post #9 by plano-doug and click on the words "draft page".

    The motor retention set up could be modifiyed and used as an anchor point for the kevlar shock cord by using one t-nut.

    Something like a tear drop shaped washer with two holes, one for the screw and one for the kevlar would make an anchor.

    The washer wouldn't have to be tear droped shaped, could be any shape you want!

    This type of set up would also make shock cord replaceable if it should snap again.
    Last edited by bradycros; 5th March 2012 at 12:13 PM.
    The process is continuous...

  6. #6
    Join Date
    13th February 2009
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    bump.
    The process is continuous...

  7. #7
    Join Date
    24th February 2012
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    691
    This is a small 18mm rocket. There's no MMT, no centering rings, just a thrust ring inside the body tube. Sounds like my idea to epoxy the kevlar to the inside of the BT should work.

    Thanks for the other suggestions, too. I'll keep them in mind for future rockets.

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