Fin slotting jig?

[JimByrne]

I would like to build a fin slotting jig. Looking for ideas.
Apogee has them but the price is more than I want to pay.
Has anyone built one? Would you be willing to share the plans/photos?
Is anyone else selling them?

 

[Hobie1dog]

Apogee has them but the price is more than I want to pay.

Awwww, come on, a man of your financial wealth? it will save you time and energy, and you'll end up with a top notch quality unit.

 

[tfish]

I'm currently mentoring/building a rocket with a kid that live 70 miles away. We are meeting at a local park. Trying to include him in on all the steps..cutting fin slots..
Steel angle iron electrical taped inplace. Stacked .040" cut off wheels gave us a good width..This was run along the angle Iron..fins glued on with a fin jig..

 

[tsmith1315]

This is a neat one, pretty sure I’ve seen another that was similar in the forum.

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/jig-for-cutting-nose-cones-into-tail-cones.174080/post-2306214

 

[Gunstar]

I would like to build a fin slotting jig. Looking for ideas.
Apogee has them but the price is more than I want to pay.
Has anyone built one? Would you be willing to share the plans/photos?
Is anyone else selling them?

I plan to create a 3D printable one this summer for slotting BT-80 tubes.

 

[tfish]

I plan to create a 3D printable one this summer for slotting BT-80 tubes.

a friend of mine came up with this. I've had mine for a few years and have done about 3 dozen tubes..It works great!

https://www.printables.com/model/146648-3-inch-tube-3-fin-slotting-jig
Tony

 

[JohnCoker]

A couple of jigs here:
http://www.jcrocket.com/finslots.shtml

 

[JimByrne]

A couple of jigs here:
http://www.jcrocket.com/finslots.shtml

Thanks, John---great ideas, as usual

 

[cwbullet]

I make them on my 3d printer. They are relatively easy to make.

 

[cwbullet]

I make them on my 3d printer. They are relatively easy to make.

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threa...-of-the-day-thread.177679/page-6#post-2455269

 

[OZRoc]

Macklin Missile Works is the ducks guts for larger tubes. Buy the plan and build it yourself.
Cheers

 

[cwbullet]

Macklin Missile Works is the ducks guts for larger tubes. Buy the plan and build it yourself.
Cheers

Particularly the harder ones such as fiberglass or carbon fiber.

 

[JimByrne]

Macklin Missile Works is the ducks guts for larger tubes. Buy the plan and build it yourself.
Cheers

What does that have to do with fin slotting jigs?

 

[OZRoc]

What does that have to do with fin slotting jigs?

Something like this.

Cheers

 

[BrendanH69]

Picking up on many similar designs shown across multiple talented TRF contributors, I made up one from 12mm plywood. I also use it for fin alignment and installation. The key to using it is level it, get it square, level it again, and don't rush your router to avoid chattering!

The other learning point is to keep it simple - if the fin positions can be marked accurately with angled edges and the slots cut by hand with a Dremel and thin cut wheel, then that way gives just as good a slot cutting job and the fin alignment does all the rest.

 

[justforfun]

This is my setup, first photo is index plate (3 or 4 slots), second is cutting the slots.

Roy

 

[tfish]

Cut off wheels not included.

Tony

 

[kitchw8436]

This is what I love about Rocketry Forum. Wanted to improve my fin slotting technique. Came here and in 5 minutes have half a dozen really good ideas. thanks all y'all.

 

[JimByrne]

Thanks everyone. From the photos I can build one.

 

[rharshberger]

What does that have to do with fin slotting jigs?

With a few slight mods is can be both an alignment and slotting jig.

 

[kitchw8436]

With a few slight mods is can be both an alignment and slotting jig.

Was thinking exactly the same thing--already planning version 02.