LOC IV Jr. Level one Build

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codysmith

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Hi,
After starting a few threads looking for information (and getting great answers!) I have received my LOC IV kit to be used for my JR LVL One in May at M^3SC. Within the next few days (probably tomorrow) I will be posting the pictures of my progress so far (Not much). All I've done is dry fitted the parts and tied a loop of Kevlar in the nosecone. Tomorrow I plan to drill the holes in the CR's for motor retention and the Eyebolt. Thanks for looking!
 
As am I I'm building a madcow super dx3 for my junior level 1 as well. I will be watching.
 
SAM_1024.jpgSAM_1028.jpgSAM_1030.jpgOk Here are the pictures. The only one I don't have are of drilled CR's. I was able to fill the spirals (with the help of my brother) today. I think I am going to build this kit basically stock except for the Kevlar through the nosecone, eyebolt instead of the LOC mount, and adding rail buttons in addition to the 1/4 and 1/2'' lugs, I can launch this thing basically anywhere! Any feedback is appreciated! I am s
 
are you going to be adding any nose weight? if so you probably wont be able to attach the shock cord like you have it now. my suggestion would be to cut off the bottom of the nosecone and epoxy in a bulkhead after the nose weight is added. you can then have an eye loop attached to the bulk head to attach the shock cord to.
 
The LOC-IV is a good choice! Flew mine last July for my Level 1. I made a few mods to mine and posted a build thread.
 
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are you going to be adding any nose weight? if so you probably wont be able to attach the shock cord like you have it now. my suggestion would be to cut off the bottom of the nosecone and epoxy in a bulkhead after the nose weight is added. you can then have an eye loop attached to the bulk head to attach the shock cord to.

Never thought of that but will not be able to figure out until after the build. Yours is coming along great! Good luck.
 
thanks looking forward to see your come together as well.
 
Today I managed to get the Spirals and fins sanded as well as get the motor retainers t-nuts glued in. Definitely not enough for pictures. The only thing I'm waiting on to really start this build are the Eyebolts and Rail Lugs I ordered from PML. Will update when I receive them.
 
Today I epoxied the fore CR with eyebolt in place. I got my Package with my PML linear Rail lugs, eyebolts and nuts.
 
No pictures for some reason the up loader won't upload them they just load and eventually stop. Will try tomorrow . I know I will get better but right now I'm terrible at using epoxy. Tomorrow I may epoxy my Rail lugs on and maybe (probably not) glue the MMT in. In the background I have been working on a new Argent that I got and am almost done.
 
Cool, another LOC IV build!
I'll be watching.
Good work there Cody. I enjoyed building my LOC IV.

JP
 
SAM_1032.jpgSAM_1033.jpgSAM_1058.jpgSAM_1059.jpgToday I have gotten the fins and the MM glued in as well as my first rail lug. I was really paranoid about not gluing the motor mount in right but it actually came out ok. I ended up covering the whole aft CR in epoxy except for the T nuts. Here Are some photos from today as well as the ones from last time. It Worked!!!
 
What are the holes in the centering ring for? Are you going to foam the fin can?
 
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What are the holes in the carnet ring ring for? Are you going to foam the fin can?
The holes are for the Type of Motor Retainer I'm using. It's called the Motor anchor. Here are some pictures of them installed.
 
That's some serious overkill there, but it's really cool! Did you make that setup? If not, where'd you get it?

I didn't make the setup but this is a product that my Mentor Patented and he was willing to give me one for my rocket. It's actually really light so I don't think it's overkill. I actually prefer it to the aeropack or other screw on retainers. If you want to check out the patent it's right here: https://www.google.co.in/patents/US6155173
 
Oh I see cool they look nice. I also prefer too use the aeropack retainers.
 
I didn't make the setup but this is a product that my Mentor Patented and he was willing to give me one for my rocket. It's actually really light so I don't think it's overkill. I actually prefer it to the aeropack or other screw on retainers. If you want to check out the patent it's right here: https://www.google.co.in/patents/US6155173

I don't call it overkill due to to the weight, but for the holding strength - there's enough for two rockets there in my book. Aeropack isn't worth the investment for me.
 
I don't call it overkill due to to the weight, but for the holding strength - there's enough for two rockets there in my book. Aeropack isn't worth the investment for me.

Oh! OK! Gotcha, Yeah I think the instructions say to install both but for flight you only need 1
 
Also Today since the CR cured faster than I thought, I did the first set of external fillets. Photos tomorrow. Once it starts going it is fast work getting this done. Structurally It should be ready in the next few days. Then there is paint.
 
SAM_1072.jpgSAM_1069.jpgSAM_1065.jpgSAM_1071.jpgToday I got the other two sets of external fillets done as well as glue on both launch lugs. I think that other than attaching the parachute the rocket is structurally complete. I will wait about a week to ensure the epoxy is completely dry before I tackle the huge task of sanding my mess down. I really found that a dome light cuts hardening time in half. :)
 
<img src="https://www.rocketryforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=159190"/><img src="https://www.rocketryforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=159189"/><img src="https://www.rocketryforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=159188"/><img src="https://www.rocketryforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=159193"/>Today I got the other two sets of external fillets done as well as glue on both launch lugs. I think that other than attaching the parachute the rocket is structurally complete. I will wait about a week to ensure the epoxy is completely dry before I tackle the huge task of sanding my mess down. I really found that a dome light cuts hardening time in half. :)

I'm curious, why did you opt to using lugs rather then rail buttons. Nice build btw, that retainer is pretty cool.
 
I'm curious, why did you opt to using lugs rather then rail buttons. Nice build btw, that retainer is pretty cool.
Do you mean the 1/2 and 1/4 inch LL or the 1010 rail lugs I used all three options for versatility. I used the rail lugs because they seemed cooler and they were much easier to attach since they only need to be epoxied on the airframe.
 
Do you mean the 1/2 and 1/4 inch LL or the 1010 rail lugs I used all three options for versatility. I used the rail lugs because they seemed cooler and they were much easier to attach since they only need to be epoxied on the airframe.

Whoops! My mistake, I didn't see you had put rail lugs on, I only saw the 1/2 and 1/4 inch ones. Sorry about that.
 
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