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- Nov 8, 2015
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I am finally getting started on my "Level-2" rocket build. Fancy name as it is both the name and the goal!! I bought it from Apogee Components when I bought the Torrent for My Level 1 Certification: https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?131503-My-first-Level-1-Rocket-build
Anyway, First and Foremost. Huge Kudo's to OneBadhawk.com! I reached out to Teddy earlier in the week because I saw what I felt was a flaw in the provided eyebolts. We chatted and he provided his most excellent guidance. On tuesday I ordered and that evening and last night sat here wishing I could get started. When I got home tonight the package was in the mail. Maybe I'm a OneBadHawk PRIME member!!! Thanks for the quick shipping Teddy!!!
Anyway, so I figure as much for me as anyone else, i'd start a build process to make darned sure I do everything right. It surely worked out well for the L1 and I got a lot of GREAT advice; so here we go again.
First I washed all the parts with soapy water, wiped them down and let them dry (a month ago)!! So last build I found myself guessing at the weight of the epoxy. This time I am weighing EVERY darned part of the system. I'll know what has been added via epoxy so I can keep real close track in my log book. Figure this will only help me later if I attempt an L-3. It's also St. Patties, so I have to enjoy something while working!!!
After everything was weighed, I began sanding the CRs to fit both the motor mount as well as the aft body tube. Once those fit, I began watching the videos on Apogee Components as they have a full walk through on the website for this rocket. While they call for sanding down one edge of both MMT CRs, I have opted not to do that. Through TRF education, I'll just leave the aft MMT off during the initial mmt installation and remove afterwards. Then I'll install the rail button and then the aft CR. I went ahead and lined up and drilled out the Rail button holes. BTW. Something I learned building my Tomach as an excercise, using Gaffers tape on BOTH sides of the tube drastically reduces splitting fiberglass when drilling. I also like to tape my guide to the tube to ensure I'm drilling properly when using the drill press. I guess if I was a real pro..since these are always 11/32...I would drill holes through the aluminum angle iron and just use that every time. hmm. Thought for another day.
Next on to mixing some RocketPoxy and adding a little yellow tint to the mix. Actually at least 5 drops for this tint. During the Tomach Build 1 drop meant gray, 2 drops meant black, 3 drops was wasting dye. Not so with the yellow!!
Once the epoxy settled and bubbles reduced, it was time to ensure I have my focus in the right direction...eg. the script I wrote on it, as well as the level one. Let's face it...there is truly only ONE reason I'm able to do any of this. I firmly believe that. Anyway, so with that written, it was time to put the forward CR in place with the adapted 3/16" Stainless Steel Eyebolt from OneBadHawk. (Teddy that worked like a champ and absolutely addressed the size issue I was concerned about!! Thank you SIR!)
+
With the CR in place, and spare RocketPoxy just sitting there, I decided to seal the center hole in the Nosecone bulkhead plate, drill out two new holes, and seal a stainless Ubolt I've had for 11 years, just sitting by waiting to be used. Again, using Gaffer's Tape, Speed Tape, Duck Tape, 100mph Tape, whatever you want to call it, kept the Bulkhead plate from Splintering when drilling. (6 years ago I lead some webelos who chose the "Duct Tape Patrol" as their name. Will always cherish those boys! 8 of which, out of twelve have earned Eagle!)
Finally, ended the evening with one of my favorite past times. TRF....New Posts. Can't say enough about this forum. If I'm missing anyting so far, please shout out. I've learned so much from everyone and the Level 1 was a big success. I'm all ears!
Kevin
Anyway, First and Foremost. Huge Kudo's to OneBadhawk.com! I reached out to Teddy earlier in the week because I saw what I felt was a flaw in the provided eyebolts. We chatted and he provided his most excellent guidance. On tuesday I ordered and that evening and last night sat here wishing I could get started. When I got home tonight the package was in the mail. Maybe I'm a OneBadHawk PRIME member!!! Thanks for the quick shipping Teddy!!!
Anyway, so I figure as much for me as anyone else, i'd start a build process to make darned sure I do everything right. It surely worked out well for the L1 and I got a lot of GREAT advice; so here we go again.
First I washed all the parts with soapy water, wiped them down and let them dry (a month ago)!! So last build I found myself guessing at the weight of the epoxy. This time I am weighing EVERY darned part of the system. I'll know what has been added via epoxy so I can keep real close track in my log book. Figure this will only help me later if I attempt an L-3. It's also St. Patties, so I have to enjoy something while working!!!
After everything was weighed, I began sanding the CRs to fit both the motor mount as well as the aft body tube. Once those fit, I began watching the videos on Apogee Components as they have a full walk through on the website for this rocket. While they call for sanding down one edge of both MMT CRs, I have opted not to do that. Through TRF education, I'll just leave the aft MMT off during the initial mmt installation and remove afterwards. Then I'll install the rail button and then the aft CR. I went ahead and lined up and drilled out the Rail button holes. BTW. Something I learned building my Tomach as an excercise, using Gaffers tape on BOTH sides of the tube drastically reduces splitting fiberglass when drilling. I also like to tape my guide to the tube to ensure I'm drilling properly when using the drill press. I guess if I was a real pro..since these are always 11/32...I would drill holes through the aluminum angle iron and just use that every time. hmm. Thought for another day.
Next on to mixing some RocketPoxy and adding a little yellow tint to the mix. Actually at least 5 drops for this tint. During the Tomach Build 1 drop meant gray, 2 drops meant black, 3 drops was wasting dye. Not so with the yellow!!
Once the epoxy settled and bubbles reduced, it was time to ensure I have my focus in the right direction...eg. the script I wrote on it, as well as the level one. Let's face it...there is truly only ONE reason I'm able to do any of this. I firmly believe that. Anyway, so with that written, it was time to put the forward CR in place with the adapted 3/16" Stainless Steel Eyebolt from OneBadHawk. (Teddy that worked like a champ and absolutely addressed the size issue I was concerned about!! Thank you SIR!)
+
With the CR in place, and spare RocketPoxy just sitting there, I decided to seal the center hole in the Nosecone bulkhead plate, drill out two new holes, and seal a stainless Ubolt I've had for 11 years, just sitting by waiting to be used. Again, using Gaffer's Tape, Speed Tape, Duck Tape, 100mph Tape, whatever you want to call it, kept the Bulkhead plate from Splintering when drilling. (6 years ago I lead some webelos who chose the "Duct Tape Patrol" as their name. Will always cherish those boys! 8 of which, out of twelve have earned Eagle!)
Finally, ended the evening with one of my favorite past times. TRF....New Posts. Can't say enough about this forum. If I'm missing anyting so far, please shout out. I've learned so much from everyone and the Level 1 was a big success. I'm all ears!
Kevin
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