TheAviator
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2009
- Messages
- 936
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Contrary to my signature, I do, in fact, build 3FNC rockets now and again. I received a Der Red Max kit recently, and thought it would be a good way to relax and refine my finishing skills. (Read: I can't remove grain or spirals to save my life.)
Some of the highlights of the build thus far:
I've applied three coats of SIG nitrate dope to the fins, sanding with progressively finer grits of sandpaper, to seal the wood. I did this prior to attaching because I find that sealing is easier ahead of time.
I used a straight edge razor blade to scrape away the mold lines on the plastic nose cone and then sanded with 220 grit paper to prepare the cone for paint.
I used my trusty Rose Fin Jig (sic, I know it's a fixture) to attach the fins. As I only have a 13mm, 18mm, and 24mm mandrel, I friction fit the motor mount to the 18mm mandrel and friction fit the airframe to the mount. I glued each fin individually with Titebond and clamped with a binder clip until the glue dried.
I've attached a couple of pictures of the fixture in use and then a final shot from the aft end to show just how easy it makes attaching fins straight. It may be expensive, but it does work very well.
Some of the highlights of the build thus far:
I've applied three coats of SIG nitrate dope to the fins, sanding with progressively finer grits of sandpaper, to seal the wood. I did this prior to attaching because I find that sealing is easier ahead of time.
I used a straight edge razor blade to scrape away the mold lines on the plastic nose cone and then sanded with 220 grit paper to prepare the cone for paint.
I used my trusty Rose Fin Jig (sic, I know it's a fixture) to attach the fins. As I only have a 13mm, 18mm, and 24mm mandrel, I friction fit the motor mount to the 18mm mandrel and friction fit the airframe to the mount. I glued each fin individually with Titebond and clamped with a binder clip until the glue dried.
I've attached a couple of pictures of the fixture in use and then a final shot from the aft end to show just how easy it makes attaching fins straight. It may be expensive, but it does work very well.
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