Heh? E30 has 1 second burn time, it's pretty high in the air by that point (well, "high" relative to the rod). Or does the flame kind of disappear well before actual motor burnout?
Ah, could be. Good time to get the old high-speed video pointed at the launch rod.
Hmm. I actually have a tube of that stuff, or perhaps I used it. Funny I've only every used that for REALLY tiny little things, like deep scratches. I didn't know if cardboard wraps would qualify for it, which is why I mentioned the regular bondo. Usually my method is bondo the big spots, primer, then fix the rough bondo filler with the red stuff, so it seems funny to go straight to the spot filler, almost like overkill.
Oh I am, believe me, but also trying to keep runs to town minimum. I'll burn up $20 of gas to make a run, so I try not to make one-off trips. If I can find the putty I'll definitely use it. I wonder can it also be applied directly to the cardboard, or is this filling step better left till the fin slots are cut?
I'll keep that in mind. I had some wood filler around here somewhere so if I find it I might try that route. Have no microballoons on hand. This is a long-term project so maybe I'll wait till I acquire some better stuff, but I kinda want to spend these up, even if it ends of being a mock up. I wonder would automotive putty be a bad idea over cardboard? I found an old can and it still has a tube of hardener hiding in the lid, not sure if it's any good or not. Or maybe there's something else I can mix with my epoxy? I've tried sanded foam before and that made a mess more than anything else, plus it never cured right. You make a fair point about the sanding, I didn't think of that today.
With the couplers, I can't get a visual of how removing a layer or two would make it work. Perhaps cutting a piece open and taking a sliver off the length so that I can be compressed inside? There would surely be a little gap but I don't think that would be a huge issue on the inside of the body tube. ??? maybe. I'll keep looking around here.
I don't have a 3" hole saw (mine go up to 2 1/2) so I'll be thinking about that, too. I think I will glue up some foam boards tonight though. 15" sounds like a good size for a 3" tube.
I had a similar idea with the rings. Thought about making a jig for my skillsaw but that idea hit a snag pretty quick. I have a roll of duct tape that is the perfect size for drawing templates, and I have some 1x oak laying around that I never used for anything. To heavy? A long 3-1/2" plank, maybe 4ft is a kilogram. I have a feeling it would be lighter than plywood and plenty strong. As far as fin material, I think I'm sol. Next time I'm at the hardware store I might pick up some 1/4" ply. Not looking forward to airfoiling those. The balsa for my LPR build will be much easier, hehe.
Good to know. I'll keep it in mind. I saw a thread here somewhere about a NC that fit perfectly in the mailers.
Sweet deal. I have a plan moving forward but always good to find another opinion, especially when I can see what's going on. This looks identical to my idea for cutting up the cardboard tubes. This vid definitely filled in a few gaps for me though. Thanks.
@Off Grid Gecko , I'd consider sealing the tube & then sand it before you use the joint compount. That way there it won't soak into the cardbard & it should make things lighter.
First coupler is done, first NC attempt is a no-go, at least for now. I'll probably take the easy route and just buy a nose cone. I can make smaller foam cones with my drill, but this giant chunk proved a bit too much for both myself and the drill. That may or may not stop me from trying again though
Can't wait till my LPR rocket pieces get here. I really don't feel like getting too carried away with a mailtube L1 rocket at the moment. I still may buy a kit, so I'm trying not to focus on the big tube, but I'll work on it here and there as I feel like it.
