Wildman Punisher Build

[UPscaler]

I have been eying these for a long time, and couldn't pass up on the Black Saturday price. My roommate and I plan on traveling to several launches this year to shoot videos for my youtube channel. This is the perfect travel rocket!



I started by assembling the motor tube, leaving half an inch free on the rear end for an Aeropack. I wrapped some mylar around the epoxied Kevlar strap and used some painter's tape to fully impregnate the kevlar and allowed the epoxy to dry.



Braden

 

[UPscaler]

I'm using the classic carbon/west systems injection method, because I have had a gallon of WS for like 6 years and it still sets up just fine! I gotta use it one way or another.

I also may get relentless and chuck an L1000 in there at some point, so let's build it right!



Braden

 

[UPscaler]

Fins sanded and tacked in, first full mock-up!

That's all for the time being, fillets to come, then I'll be thinking up a paint job!


I know there's a couple big kits I've left open ended, so it feels good to get a kit almost done this rapidly!


Braden

 

[sandeja1]

Will be watching this one. Want one of these myself!

 

[farsidius]

The Punisher is a great kit that offers some good flexibility on the field. It's light enough that you can fly it with small motors when conditions warrant, and it's robust enough to take the largest motor you can shove up the tailpipe. I've had a 4" Punisher for a few years that I fly the crap out of using everything from 2gr to 6gr 75mm motors, and I've just started building the 3" version to add to my fleet. Good luck and enjoy flying it!

 

[NateB]

Following this build as well. My 3" Punisher is still in the box. I am planning on trying out fin pockets on this build when I assemble the motor mount. I am also trying to decide to use this or my Darkstar Jr for Level 1 cert flight.

 

[tjsnakez]

Favorite rocket in my fleet by far, with the 4" Punisher as a close second. Fits fully assembled in the backseat of a WRX and tough as nails! K1100T's and K2050ST's are lovely in these.

 

[UPscaler]

I never can quite get the chopped CF mixed in enough to settle fashionably, but they'll be secure. I'm not sweatin!


Braden

 

[UPscaler]

My first experience with Rocketpoxy. Thick stuff! I like it!



Braden

 

[WILDMANRS]

I never can quite get the chopped CF mixed in enough to settle fashionably, but they'll be secure. I'm not sweatin!


BradenView attachment 371204

You don’t have enough holes you should have at least 3

 

[aerostadt]

I have the 4" Punisher sitting in the box, too, from the last Wildman sale and I also bought Rockketpoxy. For pouring epoxy through the drilled holes in the Punisher walls would it be best to use something like West Systems rather than Rocketpoxy? If so, which West Systems epoxy should I use?

 

[Wayco]

Rocketpoxy would be very hard to inject. West systems 105/205 is what I use and is recommended by CJ and Tim. Anybody doing a build like this should be using CJ's thread at the top of the HPR section:
https://www.rocketryforum.com/threa...ass-kit-build-starts.45666/page-7#post-446439

 

[aerostadt]

Thanks, Wayco!

 

[Jmhepworth]

Bob, I use Aeropoxy 6209, with a pinch of chopped carbon, for injecting internal fillets. It’s a gooey mess trying to get it into the syringe, but it works. Wayne is right. There is no chance you could get Rocketpoxy to go through the syringe.

 

[aerostadt]

Thanks, Joe. I still got those syringes that you gave me.

 

[KenRico]

Favorite rocket in my fleet by far, with the 4" Punisher as a close second. Fits fully assembled in the backseat of a WRX and tough as nails! K1100T's and K2050ST's are lovely in these.

AT 54/1706 is a favorite size for me - my go to motor is a K1103X ..chock full of N's

Kenny

 

[UPscaler]

There's two types if people in this world. Those who make their fillets look nice WHEN they do them, and those who make them look nice AFTER they do them.

I tend to lean towards the second one. Bondo spot putty is a million times easier to sand then epoxy, and holds up very well over time. Most of what's pictured will be sanded away.

If you choose this method, though. For the love of god invest in a respirator.


Braden

 

[Theory]

Liking this one. I’m really thinking that there will be a punisher or drago in my future

What do you think the final weight will be?

 

[UPscaler]

Liking this one. I’m really thinking that there will be a punisher or drago in my future

What do you think the final weight will be?

I kinda tend to build heavy, so I can't say for sure but I will weigh it when it's done!


Here is the sanded fillet vs the filler as laid in.



Braden

 

[UPscaler]

Sanding all done! My brother made a 3D printed coupler for some 3" cardboard tubes I had around, so I wrapped that in tape because it was easier than masking the motor tube.

Nothing quite reveals all like a good coat of primer.


Braden

 

[Theory]

Sanding all done!

Nothing quite reveals all like a good coat of primer.
]

TRUTH!!!!!!

 

[UPscaler]

Round 2!



Braden

 

[UPscaler]

Fine shaping the leading and trailing edges, then we'll hit with another coat of primer and see if we still have things to fill.


Braden

 

[UPscaler]

With the fin section looking like an overpriced mosaic, it's time to hit it with another coat of primer.
Fillets are about where I want them shape wise, just another fill and sand for the little cracks and divots and we'll be on to real paint.


Braden

 

[blackjack2564]

Hey...whoever you are, what did you do with Braden?

I mean come on, this build is showing some real skill and we all know the REAL Braden would be using toothpaste or CoolWhip for fillets!!



This is gonna look real good when ya finish. [maybe even 'mo betta ]
Looking like you went from a mo' fessional to a pro fessional.

 

[blackjack2564]

Next time you use Rocketpoxy spread it out on some cardboard and let it sit for 20-50 minutes [temp dependent] this will allow for all the air bubbles to surface from the mix.
I recognize them in the fillets, as the same thing happened to me first time.

 

[crossfire]

Next time you use Rocketpoxy spread it out on some cardboard and let it sit for 20-50 minutes [temp dependent] this will allow for all the air bubbles to surface from the mix.
I recognize them in the fillets, as the same thing happened to me first time.

Jim
I was thinking the same thing. I go with the 20 minute time frame.

 

[Flyfalcons]

AT 54/1706 is a favorite size for me - my go to motor is a K1103X ..chock full of N's

Kenny

I flew a K1103X in a 5.5", 16.5 lb rocket - could not believe how well that rocket flew on that motor.

 

[UPscaler]

Hey...whoever you are, what did you do with Braden?

I mean come on, this build is showing some real skill and we all know the REAL Braden would be using toothpaste or CoolWhip for fillets!!



This is gonna look real good when ya finish. [maybe even 'mo betta ]
Looking like you went from a mo' fessional to a pro fessional.

I just went from having no patience to a little bit of patience

I was telling my dad 15 year old me wouldn't have even spent as much time building the rocket as I have on the fillets, haha.

Hope to see you at LDRS!

Braden

 

[UPscaler]

Alright, here's a trick for vent bands for ya. Get it where you need it and wrap masking tape around one end.

Sand it with some real abrasive stuff, and lather with expoxy, slide the ring on up to the masking tape.

Apply masking tape to the other side of the band, flip over, remove the other side with the epoxy on it for a nice, clean line with no epoxy to sand off the coupler!


Braden