Speedy Gonzales Build

[REK]

This thread covers the Speedy Gonzales rocket. I've recently made the airframe with four wraps of style 7781 9oz. 8-Harness fiberglass cloth. Weighing in at 120.2 grams. I feel like I did a good job.


Rocksim design:


Going to make vac bagged carbon fins later on, instead of going with the G-10 fins.


Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

 

[REK]

The carbon cloth from Soller Composites came in after patiently waiting. It is 50"x37", that should be plenty enough for me to make the panel.

This was the best picture I could take. I did not want to unravel the cloth, until I am ready to use it.



Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

 

[REK]

I didn't make the carbon fins by vacuum bagging, but I got a really good panel. Compressed by using two tiles 8"x 8" and C-clamps. Six layers were used, which provided the right thickness. Other materials used were mylar and teflon peel ply.

The results, a really good looking carbon fiber panel.



Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

 

[Aksrockets]

Very nice work on the sheet!

Alex

 

[REK]

Very nice work on the sheet!

Alex

Thank you,

I want to do more, carbon fiber is just very great material to work with.


Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

 

[REK]

Had my tube slotted. Once I get the carbide perma grit hacksaw blade, I'll cut the carbon fins and bond them to the tube.




Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

 

[BLKKROW]

Slots on a MD?

 

[REK]

Slots on a MD?

Yup, I don't see why not. Makes it easier for me to tack the fins on straight.


Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

 

[REK]

More progress, after receiving the tungsten carbide hacksaw blade I ordered. I did not hesitate to cut the carbon fins. Along side that I also cut me an e-bay sled with the G-10 fiberglass that I had lying around.




Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

 

[REK]

Fins glued into slots with 15 minute epoxy. Black fillets later to follow.




Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

 

[CarVac]

Fins glued into slots with 15 minute epoxy. Black fillets later to follow.

View attachment 170402


Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

I like the black on white look!

Find some clear epoxy for the fillets...

 

[REK]

Black fillets turned out really good. I really wasn't going to paint the rocket, but I've changed my mind. Don't worry I wont end up painting the carbon fins.




Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

 

[REK]

I like the black on white look!

Find some clear epoxy for the fillets...

Sorry Carlo no clear epoxy for me. You gave me an idea, however. I have a paint scheme in mind thats even better than the black on white look. The paint will be applied near the end of the build, which will be a long time from now. I'm positive you will like it.


Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

 

[REK]

I need some help. Please provide me with links to the best deals for a 1.5" aluminum tube to use as a mandrel.

I made a carbon tube not too long ago and it turned out great, but with a slight problem that it was bent very slightly, but noticable looking down the tube.

I want to make straight tubes, hence why I am asking for the aluminum mandrel.

Most appreciate it.


Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

 

[flynfrog]

https://www.texastowers.com/

www.onlinemetals.com

https://metalsupermarkets.com/

 

[CarVac]

I need some help. Please provide me with links to the best deals for a 1.5" aluminum tube to use as a mandrel.

By the way I am making carbon tubes as my means of making money. I made a carbon tube not too long ago and it turned out great, but with a slight problem that it was bent very slightly, but noticable looking down the tube.

I want to make straight tubes, hence why I am asking for the aluminum mandrel.

Most appreciate it.


Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

How long?

A Loki 38/1200 case is going to be straight.

Any reasonably-priced bar you get e.g. from Online Metals would need machining to be round.

 

[REK]

How long?

A Loki 38/1200 case is going to be straight.

Any reasonably-priced bar you get e.g. from Online Metals would need machining to be round.

Thats one hell of a 38mm motor. Almost four feet in length. That isnt bad at all since I am looking at making 3 feet carbon tubes for the moment.

Thank you


Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

 

[REK]

https://www.texastowers.com/

www.onlinemetals.com

www.metalsupermarket.com

Thank you flynfrog. For some reason the last link aint working. Maybe its, because I am using a phone.


Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

 

[REK]

Has anyone ever got an aluminum tube from texas towers?


Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

 

[tfish]

How long are you looking for?

Tony

 

[REK]

How long are you looking for?

Tony

I might as well just say 5 feet since eventually I will have to step it up. I've been ording the 50" wide carbon.


Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

 

[CarVac]

Thats one hell of a 38mm motor. Almost four feet in length. That isnt bad at all since I am looking at making 3 feet carbon tubes for the moment.

Thank you


Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

No, alas but the 38/1200 is only 24 inches.

 

[patelldp]

Has anyone ever got an aluminum tube from texas towers?

Yes. I make my 29mm EX cases out of their 1.125" stock.

 

[REK]

No, alas but the 38/1200 is only 24 inches.

I consfused the 1200 for the length in mm just like aerotech does.


Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

 

[REK]

Yes. I make my 29mm EX cases out of their 1.125" stock.

When you get the tubing is it already round and smooth?


Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

 

[patelldp]

When you get the tubing is it already round and smooth?

Yes and yes.

 

[CarVac]

I consfused the 1200 for the length in mm just like aerotech does.


Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

Aerotech doesn't do this, so far as I know. Perhaps it is true coincidentally in a smaller size (29mm?) but their motor cases are named by approximate impulse. Very approximate, and usually optimistic...

 

[flynfrog]

I fixed the link

https://metalsupermarkets.com/

 

[A5tr0 An0n]

I didn't make the carbon fins by vacuum bagging, but I got a really good panel. Compressed by using two tiles 8"x 8" and C-clamps. Six layers were used, which provided the right thickness. Other materials used were mylar and teflon peel ply.

The results, a really good looking carbon fiber panel.
View attachment 167533


Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

What is the thickness of the plate?

 

[REK]

What is the thickness of the plate?

The thickness varied to be honest. Mostly at 0.05", I should have used seven layers. The compression really does a good job of reducing the thickness and of course getting rid of the excess resin.


Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet