That's a cool rocket for a great price! Just the filament wound nose cone alone costs more than the entire kit on sale. I just built a rocket with the standard conical fiberglass nose cone. Because of the seams it took a lot of work to get it looking perfect. The FWNC is a big plus!Well thx a lot Bat-Mite!
While reading your thread this morning I finally realized "Composite Warehouse" was a separate entity from "Rocketry Warehouse" ala Madcow Rocketry, although they both share some of the same kits. (I am sure there is a convoluted story surrounding that relationship, but that is none of my bee's wax). Anyhoot while perusing the CW site, I discovered their Lotus 3 kit. And low and behold, it is on sale for 50% off. Well... I just had to buy it!!!
So when my better half sees the new box in the build pile and scowls, I'ma gonna blame you for starting this thread that led me to the CW site!
See, it's not fault. I am completely innocent of my actions....
Oh my my. This may be the beginning of an epidemic!Dammit Tobor! See what you made me do? I had to order one after reading your post.
Are the allthread and nuts just to hold all the centering rings in place while you epoxy them? I assume they come out after the epoxy dries, right?A few more teasers. Man, with working evening shift and my wife's broken foot, I just can't find much time to work on this.
Rocketman chute and D-bag
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D-bag closed up (this is the Rocketman D-bag with the sewn on pilot chute)
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MMT (not epoxied yet)
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I imagine so. That's certainly been the case with Bat-mite's other excellent build threads (check out 'My Quest for an O motor' thread if you haven't seen it already)Are the allthread and nuts just to hold all the centering rings in place while you epoxy them? I assume they come out after the epoxy dries, right?
No, I leave them in to attach the thrust plate. They are super light aluminum and don't affect stability.Are the allthread and nuts just to hold all the centering rings in place while you epoxy them? I assume they come out after the epoxy dries, right?
My apologies - I misunderstood.No, I leave them in to attach the thrust plate. They are super light aluminum and don't affect stability.
No, I leave them in to attach the thrust plate. They are super light aluminum and don't affect stability.
It's John, but no worries. I might be able to do it with heat, but I'm not sure. I will try that if I get desperate.Hey Rich, how bad of a booger is it? Can heat soften up the glue and could you remove it a start again?
My apologies if I am asking really obvious questions, I am still coming up to speed on construction techniques. I know what the purpose of a thrust ring is on a minimum diameter rocket. But you already have a motor mount and centering rings to take that force so why the thrust plate? Is this for added strength? Some sort of retention?
Bingo. I don't need to epoxy the two middle CRs. I just put a fillet on the top one (the one that gets tugged by the drogue harness), and the bottom one to the lower fins. Then the thrust plate takes all the force of the motor. Not a good idea to use one if the extra weight makes the rocket unstable. But the lack of epoxy on the other CRs kind of balances out.I like to use a thrust ring as it transfers power directly to the airframe. If all is positioned correctly thrust is transmitted from thrust ring to the body tube, CRs, and the fins with no gaps in between.
Bingo. I don't need to epoxy the two middle CRs. I just put a fillet on the top one (the one that gets tugged by the drogue harness), and the bottom one to the lower fins. Then the thrust plate takes all the force of the motor. Not a good idea to use one if the extra weight makes the rocket unstable. But the lack of epoxy on the other CRs kind of balances out.
Really nice clean, minimal look. Well done.
That's a beaut!
What about the people that say you should have 3 holes spaced equally apart in the vent bad so that the altimer readings don't get thrown off by wind? Is that bit of advice now outdated?Correct. Wrap applied, switches in place -- the Av/payload/NC are done! Now I just need a new booster and MMT, which I'm guessing I won't get until after Black Friday sales.
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Yeah, what about those people? Actually, you can't see them in the picture, but I do have three equal-size holes in the band, on 120*. Sometimes I use four, especially on bigger rockets where I don't want humongous holes. You could even use five or more, but you have to have room for switches, if you use external switches like I do.What about the people that say you should have 3 holes spaced equally apart in the vent bad so that the altimer readings don't get thrown off by wind? Is that bit of advice now outdated?
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