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Thread: BT-55 wrap

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    BT-55 wrap

    Hello Everybody

    HNY!

    I'm looking for either an an application or file whereby I can print
    a fin-marking (three fins) wrap for a BT-55 tube. Anybody got a site or place or file or something to help me out?

    thanks

    stewart
    NAR 86238
    L2: 03/22/09

  2. #2
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    this is not a wrap but it will help.
    http://www.rocketshoppe.com/info/fin_guide.pdf
    UKRA 1547
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  3. #3
    Join Date
    6th May 2009
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    117

    Free Fin Wrapper Software

    The VCP program - which can be downloaded from here:

    http://nar.org/software.html

    will pint out fin wrappers, fin position guides and transition templates. (It is actually designed to compute CP and CG locations, but it is pretty easy to use and has built in tools to print templates as well).

    -Kerry
    Last edited by KerryQuinn; 31st December 2009 at 10:24 PM. Reason: typo

  4. #4
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    thanks,

    I figured y'all would know.

    stewart
    NAR 86238
    L2: 03/22/09

  5. #5
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    There's a low-tech method I always use. Take a piece of printer paper and wrap once around the tube and mark where the edge touches. This gives you diameter. Then take a ruler and lay it across the paper at an angle and divide the diameter into three equal segments. Extend the marks to the edge of the paper using some kind of right angle and you're done. You can mark the launch lug at the same time. Not better than using the computer but faster. And no tech needed.
    --David

    SoAR #345, W4DKZ, NAR #87417 Level 2

  6. #6
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    Why not just print out an end view pattern below and make the tube at the lines with a pencil or sharpie. Extent the lines as far as you wish in a door jamb or with an angle or channel.

    I find those wrap around marking guides cumbersome and often inaccurate. where the two guides below cover any size BT I want to mark.

    Or make marking guides as shown in the last picture below. I think the Estes combination marking guides are OOP but I've seen them still in local hobby shops and on e-bay.
    Hope this helps or at least gives you an alternative method
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

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    Attached Files Attached Files
    Keep em Flyin Micronzied
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  7. #7
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    Microsoft word can draw rectangles, lines, and circles of all sizes. I use it when I've got an odd size tube, or non-evenly-spaced fins.
    NAR 88789 L1 8/14/2009

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  8. #8
    Join Date
    19th January 2009
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    56
    I found this postscript program in which you can specify just about any size and unit tubing and get wraps printed out.

    I use it with Acrobat Distiller, to generate a PDF, though Apple's Preview seems to work fine as well. Just make sure you don't have it set to scale (either up or down) when printing.

    I've used it to generate a 5 fin template for a couple of builds and have been happy.

    Tube Wrap Postscript program

    Cheers,
    Jon

  9. #9
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    I use the previously-mentioned VCP. It allows me to tweak the settings to account for the thickness of the paper, etc. so that the wrap fits precisely.

    MarkII
    Mark S. Kulka NAR 86134 L1, ASTRE 471, Adirondack Mtns., NY
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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by KerryQuinn View Post
    The VCP program - which can be downloaded from here:

    http://nar.org/software.html

    will pint out fin wrappers, fin position guides and transition templates. (It is actually designed to compute CP and CG locations, but it is pretty easy to use and has built in tools to print templates as well).

    -Kerry
    I've been using this for YEARS and I LOVE it!!!
    -Scott

    NAR# 32070

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stewart32 View Post
    I'm looking for either an an application or file whereby I can print
    a fin-marking (three fins) wrap for a BT-55 tube. Anybody got a site or place or file or something to help me out?
    Other options are to use the Fin Wrap and Fin Guide tools at:

    http://www.payloadbay.com/page-Tools.html

    -- Roger

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by rokitflite View Post
    I've been using this for YEARS and I LOVE it!!!
    Yeah, I love VCP as well, just wish there was a Mac version.
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  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pem Tech View Post
    Yeah, I love VCP as well, just wish there was a Mac version.
    Parallels is how I use it. Of course you knew that.

    Jeff Gortatowsky
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  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by flight4 View Post
    There's a low-tech method I always use. Take a piece of printer paper and wrap once around the tube and mark where the edge touches. This gives you diameter. Then take a ruler and lay it across the paper at an angle and divide the diameter into three equal segments. Extend the marks to the edge of the paper using some kind of right angle and you're done. You can mark the launch lug at the same time. Not better than using the computer but faster. And no tech needed.
    Yeah, that's what I do as well... I find I can do that just as fast if not faster than actually going online and finding the thing, typing everything in or selecting it, and printing one out...

    Plus, it doesn't matter what type or size tube you have-- it works every time...

    Later! OL JR

    PS. Plus, it's as accurate as you are... you don't have to trust anybody else's figuring or programming...
    The X-87B Cruise Basselope- THE ultimate weapon in the arsenal of homeland defense and only $52 million per round!

  15. #15
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    General CADD .
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  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by jadebox View Post
    Other options are to use the Fin Wrap and Fin Guide tools at:

    http://www.payloadbay.com/page-Tools.html

    -- Roger
    This one is great! I love this website.
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  17. #17
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    if you want to spend $1200 Illustrator works quit well
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    it'll still be stationery.

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