Discount Rocketry Crayon Parts Kit Build

[OhioFlyer]

I'm currently building a Crayon rocket using a Discount Rocketry parts kit. It includes basically everything you need besides the actual crayon bank and recovery (a 30" chute is offered as an option on the listing). First impressions are that its a very well thought out kit and I've been building it pretty much as it comes (kit images here: https://www.discountrocketry.com/modelrocketsus-crayon-rocket-parts-p-2337.html).

Changes I have made or plan to make are as follows;

• Replace launch lugs with rail buttons (RBSH 3/8" Anvil 1010 buttons)
• Replace elastic and instead just run a longer kevlar shock cord (15ft)
• Replace the bent wire eyebolt for the nosecone with a 1/4 forged Eyebolt
• Use an Aeropack for motor retention
• Use plastic rivets instead of a friction fit on the plastic bottom

So far I have glued up the motor mount/fincan, trimmed the bottom plastic, cut fin slots, installed one of the rail buttons (bottom), assembled the nosecone. The build has gone very smoothly so far with the only issue being that the way the instructions have you layer the bulkplates to pinch the edge of the nosecone didn't work for me so I had to re-order them (small-medium-large) and put the anchor nut on the top (smallest) bulkplate. The template worked great and all the parts fit well.

I still need to finish the internal fillets, glue in the mmt/fin can, install the shock cord/chute/chute protector, apply external fillets, and pain the fins and I'll be ready to fly it.

One minor miss on my part is that I didn't take the weights of any of the components until after I had glued up the mmt/fincan. Luckily I can at least dissasemble most everything but the aformentioned mmt/fincan and weigh them to create a sim so I can figure out an appropriate chute size and forward rail button location.

Would anyone happen to have a sim for this rocket?

Anyone have tips for how to mask off for external fillets without lifting/damaging the printed paper decoration?

 

[Starz]

I'm currently building a Crayon rocket using a Discount Rocketry parts kit. It includes basically everything you need besides the actual crayon bank and recovery (a 30" chute is offered as an option on the listing). First impressions are that its a very well thought out kit and I've been building it pretty much as it comes (kit images here: https://www.discountrocketry.com/modelrocketsus-crayon-rocket-parts-p-2337.html).

Changes I have made or plan to make are as follows;

• Replace launch lugs with rail buttons (RBSH 3/8" Anvil 1010 buttons)
• Replace elastic and instead just run a longer kevlar shock cord (15ft)
• Replace the bent wire eyebolt for the nosecone with a 1/4 forged Eyebolt
• Use an Aeropack for motor retention
• Use plastic rivets instead of a friction fit on the plastic bottom

So far I have glued up the motor mount/fincan, trimmed the bottom plastic, cut fin slots, installed one of the rail buttons (bottom), assembled the nosecone. The build has gone very smoothly so far with the only issue being that the way the instructions have you layer the bulkplates to pinch the edge of the nosecone didn't work for me so I had to re-order them (small-medium-large) and put the anchor nut on the top (smallest) bulkplate. The template worked great and all the parts fit well.

I still need to finish the internal fillets, glue in the mmt/fin can, install the shock cord/chute/chute protector, apply external fillets, and pain the fins and I'll be ready to fly it.

One minor miss on my part is that I didn't take the weights of any of the components until after I had glued up the mmt/fincan. Luckily I can at least dissasemble most everything but the aformentioned mmt/fincan and weigh them to create a sim so I can figure out an appropriate chute size and forward rail button location.

Would anyone happen to have a sim for this rocket?

Anyone have tips for how to mask off for external fillets without lifting/damaging the printed paper decoration?

Some more printed paper decoration? Like small strips of em

 

[K'Tesh]

Would anyone happen to have a sim for this rocket?

Well, there's this...

 

[mikeyd]

Also, from experience, when completed, Clear coat the rocket, as the paper wrap wont stand up to being dragged on the ground after landing.

 

[Sooner Boomer]

Anyone have tips for how to mask off for external fillets without lifting/damaging the printed paper decoration?

Modeling clay. Test first to make sure it won't stain or discolor the printed paper. Make what's in essence an external fillet with the clay to form a glue dam. Lay down your internal fillets, and when set, pull off the clay.

 

[OhioFlyer]

Also, from experience, when completed, Clear coat the rocket, as the paper wrap wont stand up to being dragged on the ground after landing.

Yeah that's definitely a good idea. I plan to grab some semigloss clear for protection but that might also be the solution for my concerns related to masking for fillets. Some light coats should provide a tough enough surface I can lay down tape without risk of lifting the color from the paper.

My plan is to use rocketpoxy (dyed) so I can sand the binding surfaces back down without issue.

 

[Scott_650]

My L1 rocket was a Discount Rocketry Crayon - I had the full kit before they ran out of crayon banks. The only fillets I bothered with was to fill the gaps with Titebond Molding and Trim glue. L1 flight on an Aerotech H100 DMS went perfect - the altimeter data almost matched the OR sim perfectly. Then a G77 CATOd and blew the body tube apart! I salvaged the fins, centering rings, nose cone hardware and rebuilt it with a new bank from a clearance sale at Menard’s - again, the fillets I did (over my less than laser quality fin slots) was wood glue and launched it again over my replacement motor from Aerotech. I’d happily post my sim file but it’s on a USB drive that hasn’t turned up since our move - IIRC I used James’ generic crayon file modded using the dimensions and weights from the stuff in the kit.

Here’s the CATO at Tripoli Mid Ohio followed by the rocket on the rail at Northern Ohio Tripoli for my L1 flight:

 

[cwbullet]

My L1 rocket was a Discount Rocketry Crayon - I had the full kit before they ran out of crayon banks. The only fillets I bothered with was to fill the gaps with Titebond Molding and Trim glue. L1 flight on an Aerotech H100 DMS went perfect - the altimeter data almost matched the OR sim perfectly. Then a G77 CATOd and blew the body tube apart! I salvaged the fins, centering rings, nose cone hardware and rebuilt it with a new bank from a clearance sale at Menard’s - again, the fillets I did (over my less than laser quality fin slots) was wood glue and launched it again over my replacement motor from Aerotech. I’d happily post my sim file but it’s on a USB drive that hasn’t turned up since our move - IIRC I used James’ generic crayon file modded using the dimensions and weights from the stuff in the kit.

Here’s the CATO at Tripoli Mid Ohio followed by the rocket on the rail at Northern Ohio Tripoli for my L1 flight:

View attachment 494627
View attachment 494628

Tragic ending but great photo!

It looks like a good kit.

 

[Scott_650]

Tragic ending but great photo!

It looks like a good kit.

The whole sequence is on TMO’s FB page

https://www.facebook.com/Tripolimidohio/photos/pcb.4100943846618145/4100940243285172.

Definitely a testament to the toughness of the Discount Rocketry parts - the rebuilt Red Crayon flies every bit as well as the original Blue.

 

[mikeyd]

My L1 was on the 36" Crayon, and L2 on the 54" 5in Dia Crayon. On the L1, I used clear fins, as my kid wanted them to be almost invisible, not to take away from the crayon.

 

[gerbs4me]

You gotta love crayon rockets.

 

[Rocketless]

My L1 was on the 36" Crayon, and L2 on the 54" 5in Dia Crayon. On the L1, I used clear fins, as my kid wanted them to be almost invisible, not to take away from the crayon.

Where did you get a 5 inch diameter crayon bank?

 

[mikeyd]

Where did you get a 5 inch diameter crayon bank?

At the time Direct from Ralphco, before they sold to Fantazia. I also have some smaller ones, about 3in Dia, 24in long or there abouts.

Occasionally you can find the bigger ones on Ebay.

Here they are on the "wayback machine" Wayback Machine (archive.org)

 

[kuririn]

FAO Schwarz had a 5 incher too.
Probably same manufacturer.

Maybe one of these days I'll get to work on this.

 

[cwbullet]

FAO Schwarz had a 5 incher too.
Probably same manufacturer.
View attachment 494849
Maybe one of these days I'll get to work on this.

I have one of these pending a build.

 

[K'Tesh]

I wish I could find one of their old pencils... Ebay's got nothing.

 

[mikeyd]

FAO Schwarz had a 5 incher too.
Probably same manufacturer.
View attachment 494849
Maybe one of these days I'll get to work on this.

Yes, that is a Ralphco, labeled for FAO Schwarz, I have a couple of those as well, There is another manufacturer that is current that makes a 54in tall by 6.5in dia, see a couple on Ebay, Crayon Coin Bank 54" Tall 7" Diameter - Green, Blue - Free Shipping | eBay currently, or their webpage. Crayon – GreatBigStuff.com

 

[Citizen Baslim]

I've built and flown a few of these and still have a few left in the build pile. I always bring mine to launches and fly them if there are kids at the launch. I use colored motors that match the crayon's color so lots of blue and red. I still have to build my pink crayon to match my pink motor

I've never had a tailcone fall off but screwing it in is not a bad idea. I replaced my lugs with rail buttons as you're doing. Wish I had used AT retainers...those plastic ones always get lost. They are a tough kit...I’ve re-built one twice that has had hard landings and I still launch it. If you use the Thrustcurve sim be sure to use the poorest setting for finish...that flat nose and those flat leading edges really slow it down.

There are TRFers out there that may have crayons available...just ask on the forum.

Good luck coloring the skies!

 

[dhbarr]

Yes, that is a Ralphco, labeled for FAO Schwarz, I have a couple of those as well, There is another manufacturer that is current that makes a 54in tall by 6.5in dia, see a couple on Ebay, Crayon Coin Bank 54" Tall 7" Diameter - Green, Blue - Free Shipping | eBay currently, or their webpage. Crayon – GreatBigStuff.com

Haha, that seller is now like "what just happened"

 

[K'Tesh]

I understand Menards started selling the Fantazia coin banks last year or so, and it looks like they still do. However, I haven't seen new Fantazia branded crayons that are white, black, yellow, purple, orange, or green available for sale for some time.. Just red, blue, teal, pink, fuchsia

 

[K'Tesh]

Yes, that is a Ralphco, labeled for FAO Schwarz, I have a couple of those as well, There is another manufacturer that is current that makes a 54in tall by 6.5in dia, see a couple on Ebay, Crayon Coin Bank 54" Tall 7" Diameter - Green, Blue - Free Shipping | eBay currently, or their webpage. Crayon – GreatBigStuff.com

Haha, that seller is now like "what just happened"

If someone wants to send me one of those (I like black, orange, or red)... I'll sim it up for you.

 

[cwbullet]

Haha, that seller is now like "what just happened"

Yup. He sold out quick.

 

[Scott_650]

I understand Menards started selling the Fantazia coin banks last year or so, and it looks like they still do. However, I haven't seen new Fantazia branded crayons that are white, black, yellow, purple, orange, or green available for sale for some time.. Just red, blue, teal, pink, fuchsia

I bought four of the 4” Fantazia versions at Menard’s on clearance for $4 each - one was used to do the rebuild mentioned above and it was identical to the pre-slotted one that came with my original Discount Rocketry kit. Yellow or orange would be nice to have!

 

[cwbullet]

I bought four of the 4” Fantazia versions at Menard’s on clearance for $4 each - one was used to do the rebuild mentioned above and it was identical to the pre-slotted one that came with my original Discount Rocketry kit. Yellow or orange would be nice to have!

Great deal - unfortunately there are no Menards locally.

 

[OhioFlyer]

Yes, that is a Ralphco, labeled for FAO Schwarz, I have a couple of those as well, There is another manufacturer that is current that makes a 54in tall by 6.5in dia, see a couple on Ebay, Crayon Coin Bank 54" Tall 7" Diameter - Green, Blue - Free Shipping | eBay currently, or their webpage. Crayon – GreatBigStuff.com

I had been watching those for a while before I got my fantazia bank. The thing that kept me from pulling the trigger was that the seller said it was all one piece. Anyone know if that's true?
As an update on my build I'll be finishing up my internal fillets tonight and clear coating the bodytube this weekend.

 

[mikeyd]

I had been watching those for a while before I got my fantazia bank. The thing that kept me from pulling the trigger was that the seller said it was all one piece. Anyone know if that's true?
As an update on my build I'll be finishing up my internal fillets tonight and clear coating the bodytube this weekend.

Per the greatBigStuff website, they are cardboard, I assume like the Old Ralphco, and Fantazia

"These giant banks resemble crayons with realism from the wax-like plastic ends to the real paper label. It's great for bedroom and classroom decor or as a thank-you gift for educators or someone special. Available in nine popular colors. 54-inches in length by 7-inches diameter.

Customization fee is $7.00

Height: 54 in.
Diameter: 6.5 in.
Weight: 2 lbs. 4 oz.
Material: Plastic, thick cardboard and paper wrapper"

 

[dhbarr]

Yup. He sold out quick.

Yup.

 

[K'Tesh]

Yup.

Do you have one of the Ralphco or Fantazia ones to compare it to?

 

[cwbullet]

Do you have one of the Ralphco or Fantazia ones to compare it to?

I will compare on over the weekend if he does not. I have one of both.

 

[dhbarr]

Do you have one of the Ralphco or Fantazia ones to compare it to?

I know I have a smaller crayon in the shop, will see who made it this evening.