Thought I'd let you know that I had to postpone my SRB model. I just couldn't keep the weight under 1 pound with the materials I have on hand. I'll try again when I get some lighter tubes. Instead I'm starting a more conventional model with quick-change motor mounts to allow for a variety of engine configurations. I finished turning the nosecone today and let me tell you, turning balsa on a lathe is certainly not for the uninitiated. It was a lot harder than I initially though and take extreme care when sanding on the lathe. It cuts real fast! I cut down too far on my first attempt but the second one turned out fine.
SRB model postponed
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rstaff3
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I've had pretty good luck turning cones from both balsa and foam on a hand drill. I do OK getting the general shape I want but would have a hard time getting an exact (scale) shape. Maybe if I had the right template, and went slow?
What I fount REALLY challengine is an 8" x ~3ft conce from stacked 2" foam. Worked my butt off getting the corners down and some rough sanding. Luckily my wife had access to a woodshop thru the scholl she was subbing at. Even with the lathe it was slow and messy.
What I fount REALLY challengine is an 8" x ~3ft conce from stacked 2" foam. Worked my butt off getting the corners down and some rough sanding. Luckily my wife had access to a woodshop thru the scholl she was subbing at. Even with the lathe it was slow and messy.
I have a lathe and have turned just a few nose cones.my Trouble is centering the workpiece. Pilot holes help, as balsa’s density will deflect the tailpieces.
A template is necessary. I think one made from aluminum would work great. Cutting it would be tricky, although I vaguely remember seeing a video of somebody etching a thin metal sheet with one substance and washing it with another, and magically the metal separates along the etched lines. As I recall, the cut looked pretty clean. If there was any finishing up, it was minimal, or I just don’t remember it. One would only need the top half of the nose cone template to fit over the workpiece as you fashion it. Put a collar (a short section of the tube it will fit into) on one of your tailpieces so as you work you can check for fit without disassembly.
Once I get the General shape and length with the work knives, I start sanding. A shop vac helps keep the area clean, but noisy, and you should be able to breath. As you get closer to your desired shape, switch to finer grit.
A template is necessary. I think one made from aluminum would work great. Cutting it would be tricky, although I vaguely remember seeing a video of somebody etching a thin metal sheet with one substance and washing it with another, and magically the metal separates along the etched lines. As I recall, the cut looked pretty clean. If there was any finishing up, it was minimal, or I just don’t remember it. One would only need the top half of the nose cone template to fit over the workpiece as you fashion it. Put a collar (a short section of the tube it will fit into) on one of your tailpieces so as you work you can check for fit without disassembly.
Once I get the General shape and length with the work knives, I start sanding. A shop vac helps keep the area clean, but noisy, and you should be able to breath. As you get closer to your desired shape, switch to finer grit.
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I guess it has been postponed for a while.
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Man, this thread's OP has been slow... I joined 11 years after he did, and I have over 1000 times the number of posts he does.
Zeus-cat
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The OP was last seen on Jun2 29, 2002. Too late for search parties?
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