"College Funds" Yet another scratch build.- Up in flames at Hellfire 18

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Aksrockets

Now with 8% more aluminum
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I got a Basic Blues 3 for christmas. I'm not a "kit guy" so I'll be modifying it a little.
Not to many changes. I'm not "modifying the heck out of it" like I planned. Only 45% of the heck will be modified out.
The fins will be different and I'll be incorporating an altimeter bay. 54mmt also.
The design will be similar to the one I first proposed in my "4in scratch build" build thread (Qquake, you'll just have to live with this one, it's not changing. :wink:)

Motor range is anywhere from Is to Ks. Possibly some fast H motors too. Methinks it would rock on long burning 54s like the I100R.

View attachment AP addict.rkt.ork

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Here is all the parts I have layed out. Body tubes, Nosecones, Couplers, Bulkplates and 60% of the Olympic logo.

Screen Shot 2013-01-09 at 6.29.07 PM.jpg

Screen Shot 2013-01-09 at 6.34.19 PM.jpg

Enjoy the build.

Alex
 
I wanted to fly my DS on the I100, but there just want not enough thrust for me to feel good about it. I will be following this closely.

I am assuming it will get a wicket paint job???
 
The kit comes with a beautiful 3in NC (pinnacle I think). I had the 4in BB3 kit for a week and that nose cone was enormous!
20130110_200431.jpg
Don't ya just LOVE green masking tape. So many uses.

Alex
 
Ha! Just wait utill you get the 4" FWFG nosecones or larger...so much room.
 
No school today so I'll be cutting out the fins.
I made cardboard cutouts of the fins for test fitting and tracing.
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Test fitted.
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Yay! All the fins fit on the original fin. I was worried I would have to cut into my 1/4in supply.
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Fins traced.
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I'll be cutting them in a few minutes with my Jig Saw.

Alex
 
I finished cutting out the fins. I made a mistake on two of the big ones. My Jig saw was on the wrong setting for cutting plywood so the wood splintered like crazy. I switched the settings and the rest of the fins turned out okay.
I will be doing as much work on this as possible today.
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Nothing a little filler and sanding can't fix.
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All fins cut.

Alex
 
I roughed up the blue tube with 60 grit sandpaper and epoxied on the lower CR. I left .5in of space for a retainer.
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I epoxied on the upper CR. The lower finset will be sandwiched between these two.
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Sorry about the messy workshop.

Alex
 
That splintering is pretty bad. Hit the edges with a belt sander, and then bevel them aggressively with the same sander. That should remove almost all of the splintering.
 
That splintering is pretty bad. Hit the edges with a belt sander, and then bevel them aggressively with the same sander. That should remove almost all of the splintering.
I plan on just hitting them with some filler and sanding them smooth. The only really bad one is the first picture, The others will still need a little work, but that one is by far the worst.

Alex
 
Forward CR w/ kevlar attached.
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I'm working on finishing up the fins now.

Alex
 
I plan on just hitting them with some filler and sanding them smooth. The only really bad one is the first picture, The others will still need a little work, but that one is by far the worst.

Alex

So you are leaving the edges flat, no airfoiling?
 
So you are leaving the edges flat, no airfoiling?

I filled them with bondo glazing and spot putty and rounded the edges slightly. They still need a little bit of work but they are almost ready for attachment.
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I epoxied in the motor mount a few minutes ago. It went smoothly.
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Alex
 
I tacked in the first fin just a moment ago with 5 minute epoxy.
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This thing is really coming together fast!

Alex
 
2/3 aft fins attached. I will do fillets with west systems and Q cells tonight.
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Alex
 
Alex - clean your workbench.

s6

Nahhh.....if you clean it ,then you won`t find anything LOL

I do the same thing if/when I get splintering of the ply ,a couple of applications of Bondo Spot ,sand and it`s all good.


Paul T
 
S6, when's the next launch youre goin' to?

Probably won't be for quite a while - late spring perhaps. I'm toying with the idea of coming up next week or perhaps in February but it's pretty unlikely. I've got the time (ie: not much work), but I don't have the funds (ie: not much work). And when more work (money) comes my way, I then won't have the time. A vicious cycle for sure.

That there's a cool looking rocket, can't wait to see which way you go with paint.

s6
 
All 3 Fins are on.
I'm likin' the way this is turning out!
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Alex
 
Okay, fillet time.
Here is my fillet process.

I cover a 1/2in PVC with sharpie.
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Rubbed along the fin root, it makes guide lines for masking tape.
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Masking tape applied.
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I pour epoxy into the fin joint, smooth it out with the PVC and remove the tape.
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Alex
 
I'm also throwing around the name "college funds." Thoughts?

Alex
 
I don`t know how you guys build so fast ,I mean I know I`m old ,but sheesh ,between you and the good captain low `n slow AKA Jim ,I feel I better step it up a notch LOL

...of course I get very easily distracted ,like now ! Instead of typing this, I probably should be working on my Hellfire.

Take care

Paul T
 
I don`t know how you guys build so fast ,I mean I know I`m old ,but sheesh ,between you and the good captain low `n slow AKA Jim ,I feel I better step it up a notch LOL

...of course I get very easily distracted ,like now ! Instead of typing this, I probably should be working on my Hellfire.

Take care

Paul T
We youngin's have lots of energy! ;) I managed to build my Madcow Squat and Wildman Wild Child in a total of 2 days, minus painting.

Alex, any idea of the planned first motor and/or final weight?
 
Anyone else just hate filling tube spirals?
I spread Bondo spot putty over the spirals.
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Sanded down, I get patches where the bondo doesn't fill the spirals completely. They are 75% filled but you'll still be able to see them in the final finish.
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After this, I give them another coat. and continue sanding.

Alex
 
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