12" foam NC

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Still pretty new around here but just throwing some ideas out there. I was lucky enough to get some tooling foam which turns great and easy to work to make plugs, to make molds for fiberglass nosecones. Same could be done in wood just a little slower. Granted there is some extra time making the mold from the plug but I can now make at least 5-10 NC from the first mold.

In my mind if I’m going to take the time to design and turn the right nose, I might as well go the last mile and set myself up to make multiples.

Ive not done the math on how much extra material I used making the mold but it’s minimal considering I can replicate it so many times.

I say all this regarding larger parts. If I were doing a small NC it might be easier and quicker turning and reinforcing foam..

From my experience the hardest part is just waiting for things to cure. The cost on my molds are ~15 max. And the upside is I get a near perfect finish on the outside even without the a bladder/bagging process.

Would love to hear pros and cons of both methods. Certainly there are things I haven’t considered.
 
Sebastian, I have never used a bladder, so cannot comment on that. I do know that I read a thread about using a bladder. A search might find it.
I can tell you though, making a mold for this size NC will take a lot of extra material. Glass cloth, resin, mold release, alignment pins, gel coat.
 
Interesting that the Russians had the technical data on it.

They have data on a LOT of things . . . MIM-14B NIKE-HERCULES, for example !

Dave F.
 

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Damn it Dave F, now I want to build one of them :)
But I am doing a X 15, body tube will be here on Wednesday. Got any info for that? Thanks.
 
Working on the fillets today.
Cut them from .007 aluminum
Formed on a 38 mmt
Used 3M 90 spray glue
 

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Work on the V2 at the detail stage. Rivets, bolts, vents, panels.
 

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Rivets. Am I nuts??
 

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I have also started a 11 inch foam rocket inspired by you.
The only thing I have to say is, your NC is WOW! thank you.

Hi Tim, the post you quoted was when I tried using my drill press to turn the foam. Not work to well. Since I built the lathe in the thread in earlier posts. I did indeed run it as slow as I could, I used a belt sander at times. Worked very well.
 
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