SethMatthews
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- Apr 23, 2016
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What do you guys suggest for building materials? is there a way to harden paper? I've considered using aluminum from pop cans, thin plastic sheeting, etc.
What do you guys suggest for building materials? is there a way to harden paper? I've considered using aluminum from pop cans, thin plastic sheeting, etc.
What do you guys suggest for building materials? is there a way to harden paper? I've considered using aluminum from pop cans, thin plastic sheeting, etc.
I don't know how to fiberglass, are you saying numerous layers of paint?There are several ways to harden paper, ranging from painting it with various coatings to laminating it with fabrics like fiberglass.
[emoji1010] Steve Shannon, L3CC [emoji1010]
I don't know how to fiberglass, are you saying numerous layers of paint?
What do you guys suggest for building materials? is there a way to harden paper? I've considered using aluminum from pop cans, thin plastic sheeting, etc.
I don't know how to fiberglass, are you saying numerous layers of paint?
I don't know how to fiberglass, are you saying numerous layers of paint?
Can you give an idea what sort of rockets you're planning to build, and what kind of experience you have? Might help narrow down that very very broad question.
I have had quite a bit of luck soaking parts with thin CA. After it is dry, it sands glass smooth and feels like plastic. I have treated nose cones, tail cones, body tubes and fins with this method. One of the most successful was a paper nose cone (made from 110# card stock) version of the Estes PNC-50SP (picture the pencil nose cone with a cockpit canopy on the side).
Strictly home build and tinkering, not for competition. as far as I know, we don't have any rocketry clubs near me anyway. I have zero experience, just a glue together e2x kit. I wouldn't call that skilled. lol
I was thinking about building a forge for casting aluminum, but if its not good, or illegal in a competition, (should I ever decide to,) so thats out. lol Guess i'll learn to fiberglass, I was wanting to fix my moms canoe anyway, it'll make good practice. lol
I was thinking about building a forge for casting aluminum, but if its not good, or illegal in a competition, (should I ever decide to,) so thats out. lol Guess i'll learn to fiberglass, I was wanting to fix my moms canoe anyway, it'll make good practice. lol
Jumping from an E2X kit to forging aluminum or even glassing is, to say the least, a bit extreme (never mind the fact that aluminum is a no-go since it violates the safety code). You'd be much better off building a few paper-and-balsa rockets to build a solid foundation of experience before jumping into more exotic materials. For low power rockets (and even some mid-power) you don't need anything more than paper and wood anyway.
I have nothing against glassing* (though I've never tried it) but it's certainly not where I would start.
*disclaimer included to appease Top Ramen.
I appreciate that, but it's not necessary. I understand all aspects of Construction Ethics, and never take offense to my methods.
I'm here to learn how to build better, even if it takes me a while. I'll always love the Fiberglass, but I'm learning how to do it as light as humanly possible.
My paper pressing template method shows some potential, and can make batches of parts, that they may be weighed and measured for uniformity. Precision is the goal.
I agree, I[m guessing the safety concerns with metals are the shrapnel factor? as for the graduate classes, what can I say, I'm imaginative if nothing else. lolEither way it seems the OP should pass rocket building 101 before jumping to the graduate classes.
I agree, I[m guessing the safety concerns with metals are the shrapnel factor? as for the graduate classes, what can I say, I'm imaginative if nothing else. lol
Even some well respected members here have use soda can aluminum to shield exhaust channels on TLP style tail cones if I remember correctly.
I don't think the OP is meaning to build an entire rocket from them.
It's more about damage that can be caused if the rocket comes in ballistic. Go read the NAR safety codes if you haven't already done so (although they don't always give detailed reasons).
OP wrote: I was thinking about building a forge for casting aluminum
No doubt bits of metal get used judiciously here and there, and (as has been discussed in many other threads) it may be that in many cases some very light aluminum parts would be less dangerous than some of the other materials that folks use. But that's the code. Of course, for high-power rockets, metal is used frequently in various capacities, although only "when necessary" (which is certainly a bit vague, to say the least).
Again, we're talking about a reasonable next step for someone that has to this point built a single E2X rocket.
I recommend plywood in most cases since it's easy to work with. "Baltic birch" plywood can be purchased from your local hobby shop or Tower Hobbies in various thicknesses.Can I hijack this thread?
I am building an upscale Estes "The Bat," 5.5" diameter airframe. I have glassed a few big rockets, sloppy but effective.
The fins will be about 16" from root to tip. I am thinking low altitude, single deployment flights.
Can anybody recommend some fin stock? wood and fiberglass options would be appreciated.
Just be careful to get the high-ply stuff (called "baltic birch"), not the 3-ply stuff (called "craft ply").Thanks John. I am a Tower Super Saver... never knew they had Baltic Birch.
These elephant ear fins should probably be glassed. Do you think 6oz fiberglass clothe is the best?
How do I avoid warped fins?
Can you give an idea what sort of rockets you're planning to build, and what kind of experience you have? Might help narrow down that very very broad question.
That's a very good question.
The lighter large scale projects I've done were just fine with fiberglass over paper, foam core, poster board, sheet styrene plastic and light plywood from the LHS, and balsa wood with fiberglass lay up.
The load bearing parts were the cardboard main motor mount tube (LOC and PML) with through the wall ply fins attached to that, with the lighter thin walled materials forming the airframe.
I've even done fairly large diameter (9 inches dia.) foam core centering rings with spruce and balsa reinforcement.
This was ok for up to H motor with clustered low power outboards - for "low and slow" as John Coker said.
Surviving the occasional abuse during landing and recovery was the challenge.
If you aim to go very high speed and plan on using larger motors - it changes things dramatically, and the choice of materials.
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