For the Maxxers out there, the biggest news in quite some time has been the introduction of several new Micro Maxx powered kits by Semroc, including the (MX) Goblin, Fat Boy, Blue Bird Zero, Hawk boost glider, Cherokee (D), and the Orbital Transport. Good to hear, especially in light of the upcoming closure of Fliskits and their Micro to the Maxx line of kits.
Since Andrew (Rockets) did such a fine job in his build of the MX Goblin, I'll start with the MX Fat Boy.
These will be quick, one or two post builds.
The obligatory parts photo:
Assembled the motor mount. Instructions have you tie a knot at the end of the Kevlar shock cord and lock it in place between the thrust ring and motor tube. It dawned on me after assembly that it might be better to tie a loop around the thrust ring. That way the motor will be pushing against the thrust ring and one thickness of the shock cord rather than against a knot. Also the loop knot will be further away from the direct blast of the ejection charge. Will incorporate that into the subsequent builds. Left motor mount to dry in a vertical position. Install in main body tube after drying. (Dry fit first, you may have to sand the centering rings to get a snug fit).
Cut out the fins and attached using the fin jigs. I love these! Makes spacing and alignment so easy. I found that the easiest way for me to use these is to dry fit and align the fins with the jigs first. Then I spot tacked both sides of each fins with a drop of medium CA using a toothpick. After drying I removed the jigs and filleted the fins with CA. The capillary action of the CA and the porosity of the wood and paper lends to a strong bond. Glued the launch lug on also.
Using the supplied toothpick, pushed it in and marked it. Removed and cut it off at the mark. This will be used later to lock in the Kevlar shock cord to the nose cone.
Instructions say to attach the streamer to the Kevlar with masking tape. I have had streamers detach from the shock cord at ejection when I use this method. So this is how I attach all my streamers now:
First, fold one corner of the streamer down.
Then fold the other corner down forming a triangle.
Punch a hole and attach a small grommet with a grommet tool. I don't have a rotary punch so I used an ice pick.
Then tie it to a loop on the shock cord. This streamer isn't coming off any time soon.
Glue the cut off toothpick and the shock cord into the nose cone.
And assembly is complete.
Comments: The streamer seems quite large for a MX model. My other MMX kits use a shorter, narrower streamer. The large streamer can result in difficulty in getting your wadding and laundry into the body tube. Parts seem to be of good quality. Did I mention that I love the fin jigs?
EDIT: I missed an important instruction. You are supposed to cut the streamer in half lengthwise, and use just one of the halves. Trimmed down the streamer in my model.
Will be finishing all models offline using standard CWF, primer, and paint. I prefer doing this all at once rather than piecemeal. Will post a picture of all models in their finest livery at the end.
Next post: Semroc MX Blue Bird Zero
Since Andrew (Rockets) did such a fine job in his build of the MX Goblin, I'll start with the MX Fat Boy.
These will be quick, one or two post builds.
The obligatory parts photo:
Assembled the motor mount. Instructions have you tie a knot at the end of the Kevlar shock cord and lock it in place between the thrust ring and motor tube. It dawned on me after assembly that it might be better to tie a loop around the thrust ring. That way the motor will be pushing against the thrust ring and one thickness of the shock cord rather than against a knot. Also the loop knot will be further away from the direct blast of the ejection charge. Will incorporate that into the subsequent builds. Left motor mount to dry in a vertical position. Install in main body tube after drying. (Dry fit first, you may have to sand the centering rings to get a snug fit).
Cut out the fins and attached using the fin jigs. I love these! Makes spacing and alignment so easy. I found that the easiest way for me to use these is to dry fit and align the fins with the jigs first. Then I spot tacked both sides of each fins with a drop of medium CA using a toothpick. After drying I removed the jigs and filleted the fins with CA. The capillary action of the CA and the porosity of the wood and paper lends to a strong bond. Glued the launch lug on also.
Using the supplied toothpick, pushed it in and marked it. Removed and cut it off at the mark. This will be used later to lock in the Kevlar shock cord to the nose cone.
Instructions say to attach the streamer to the Kevlar with masking tape. I have had streamers detach from the shock cord at ejection when I use this method. So this is how I attach all my streamers now:
First, fold one corner of the streamer down.
Then fold the other corner down forming a triangle.
Punch a hole and attach a small grommet with a grommet tool. I don't have a rotary punch so I used an ice pick.
Then tie it to a loop on the shock cord. This streamer isn't coming off any time soon.
Glue the cut off toothpick and the shock cord into the nose cone.
And assembly is complete.
Comments: The streamer seems quite large for a MX model. My other MMX kits use a shorter, narrower streamer. The large streamer can result in difficulty in getting your wadding and laundry into the body tube. Parts seem to be of good quality. Did I mention that I love the fin jigs?
EDIT: I missed an important instruction. You are supposed to cut the streamer in half lengthwise, and use just one of the halves. Trimmed down the streamer in my model.
Will be finishing all models offline using standard CWF, primer, and paint. I prefer doing this all at once rather than piecemeal. Will post a picture of all models in their finest livery at the end.
Next post: Semroc MX Blue Bird Zero
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