kzimmerman
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2013
- Messages
- 183
- Reaction score
- 10
First, a few disclaimers. I cannot build stock kits. Nope, it just won't happen. So, I've made some modifications to this kit to produce a more robust rocket. My plan here is to fly this on CTI reloads, in the 3 grain F size, and maybe the 6 grain G size (I'm eyeing up that green......). So, some things that came with the kit were not used, some things were just beefed up. Also, I'm in the middle of moving. If this thing runs past the 19th (I don't think it will) then the conclusion might be delayed. Theres also a very good chance I will wind up giving it to the Little Newton Burner, I mean, my son.
On to the show!
First on the instruction sheet was the MMT. This is an area that is most typically modified, and this build holds to this. First thing I did was to take the stock motor hook and cut off the forward tab. I then bent the tab up where it goes through the ring, giving me motor retention with no casing size limitations. Did the same on my black star. I then inserted the ring over the hook, gluing it down with titebond.
I put one of the finlets on there for reference.
Next came all of those little finlets. They are all stock (gasp!) But the rest of the MMT.......
I disposed of those crappy cardstock centering rings and the tube coupler. I used .25" plywood instead. I cut a notch in the forward centering ring, ran some kevlar under it, and tied the kevlar off behind the CR. I then epoxied the CRs to the motor mount, and imbedded the kevlar into epoxy. No week little estes shock cord mount for me. I also glued that little ring tail on.
Then, I glued up the main fins. No big mods (until later). I glued them up against a 2' level to make a nice straight edge for attachment purposes. The fit of these fins left a little to be desired, I had to spend some time jockying the bits to make it work.
I built a jig to attach these fins, so after I marked the body tube, off we went.
I modified the finlets on the tip of the fin to angle in 45 degrees. I don't have a picture of that, so I'm gonna stop here and get one or two!
Kurt
On to the show!
First on the instruction sheet was the MMT. This is an area that is most typically modified, and this build holds to this. First thing I did was to take the stock motor hook and cut off the forward tab. I then bent the tab up where it goes through the ring, giving me motor retention with no casing size limitations. Did the same on my black star. I then inserted the ring over the hook, gluing it down with titebond.
I put one of the finlets on there for reference.
Next came all of those little finlets. They are all stock (gasp!) But the rest of the MMT.......
I disposed of those crappy cardstock centering rings and the tube coupler. I used .25" plywood instead. I cut a notch in the forward centering ring, ran some kevlar under it, and tied the kevlar off behind the CR. I then epoxied the CRs to the motor mount, and imbedded the kevlar into epoxy. No week little estes shock cord mount for me. I also glued that little ring tail on.
Then, I glued up the main fins. No big mods (until later). I glued them up against a 2' level to make a nice straight edge for attachment purposes. The fit of these fins left a little to be desired, I had to spend some time jockying the bits to make it work.
I built a jig to attach these fins, so after I marked the body tube, off we went.
I modified the finlets on the tip of the fin to angle in 45 degrees. I don't have a picture of that, so I'm gonna stop here and get one or two!
Kurt