On the CA and balsa it does work well but in the past I would take plastic sandwich bag and put a puddle of CA on it. I would then rotate the nose cone in it to apply it evenly starting at the tip and lowering the angle until everything is covered. I would do this twice with sanding between each coat. 220 and then 320. Appling with an applicator can cause drips and runs. After which you have your choice to off products to fill any imperfections and do a final sanding and primer. It's one of the bests methods I found that works and keeps fingers from getting CA on them or anywhere it shouldn't be. I would also recommend getting sound CA de-bonder in case you do get CA on your fingers or anything else.
These felt *tiny*, thanks for helping confirm
This is exactly what the photos show, the extra smaller tubes just threw me for a loop.
My club has 2 racks of 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4" inch rods. I also built a smal, portable launcher with rods that use with my family. They might be old, but they work. I am really interested in trying smaller rail guides at some point though!
I put the two 3/16" lugs side by side a 1/8" lug
I've done that too , but being mindful of the little cotton strays that cab left behind. Great technique!I used a Q-tip to apply thin CA, sanded it with 320 grit, applied another coat using same method, sanding again on the second coat, then added a 3rd coat, and did a final sand using 550 grit sandpaper. You could see very few balsa grains which were glassy looking, and easily sanded down with 550. Very strong glass-like finish that paints well. I would take lid off of thin CA, dip Q-tip in, which would give me enough to cover from the base of the nosecone to the tip about 1/3 of the entire nosecone - had a papertowel to drag along after each stroke to get any excess.
Just an FYI I store my CA in the frig. From what I understand it keeps from going bad.On the CA and balsa it does work well but in the past I would take plastic sandwich bag and put a puddle of CA on it. I would then rotate the nose cone in it to apply it evenly starting at the tip and lowering the angle until everything is covered. I would do this twice with sanding between each coat. 220 and then 320. Appling with an applicator can cause drips and runs. After which you have your choice to off products to fill any imperfections and do a final sanding and primer. It's one of the bests methods I found that works and keeps fingers from getting CA on them or anywhere it shouldn't be. I would also recommend getting sound CA de-bonder in case you do get CA on your fingers or anything else.
Forgive me, but what is the purple on the nose cone? Yes I agree the black fiber center rings are very nice strong yet lite.Welp, I tried. I followed a thread and took a crack at CA + sanding + primer + sanding. I used a bit too much CA and it dripped down to the tape and presented some difficulty trying to get the tape off. I was nervous about removing much balsa, so I ended up with a rougher texture after the CA, but it is much harder that the raw balsa. Then I worked on a few layers of primer / sanding / primer /sanding. Learning new skills is all part of the fun though
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Set the primered cone aside, and now I am working on the Motor Mount. Pretty straight-forward, I like these black centering rings. This design also has no motor retention on either end of the MM, so I will be using tape rings and friction fit it would seem
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Dry fit looks clean, and it almost looks like a Rocket might be coming together here.
She flew, and she flew well! Not only that, but we won the Silver Fleet contest! I am 100% buying another pemtech kit. This was such an incredibly fun rocket to build and fly!
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I'm severely torn between the Kraken and the Space Ark @Cape Byron!
I concur!Kraken. Kraken. Kraken!
Oh, that is sweet....This is one of my favorite rockets. I love the 50's sci-fi theme and the flowing lines of this rocket.
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I had the same questions building mine. Layne was very quick to respond and said "...this is where you can get creative and still have a functional rocket..." basically... LOL!! I put the two 3/16" lugs side by side a 1/8" lug. I like options too... LOL!!
Three words...I'm severely torn between the Kraken and the Space Ark @Cape Byron!
Happy Happy!She flew, and she flew well! Not only that, but we won the Silver Fleet contest! I am 100% buying another pemtech kit. This was such an incredibly fun rocket to build and fly!
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Three words...
Release THE KRAKEN!
Kraken. Kraken. Kraken!
I have a connection to that kit; I did some of the illustrations for Layne. That nonsense aside, its tube fins are brilliantly executed and it flies like a dream. Just a gorgeous piece of work from a great designer.
Pemtech kits are great. I can recommend the Kraken as a brilliant design, great flier and a modern classic.
I think "Bucky Jones" is a mix of "Buck" Rogers and Rocky "Jones". And the rocket is generally inspired from the era when they were popular. So here I found what I think is the first rocket launch in a Rocky Jones episode.
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