(I NEED YOUR OPINION!) looking in to Starting a rocket kit business...

Onebadhawk
SilicdyneTRF
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rockets said:
Is there ANY way I can get out of having to do that? Getting to Downtown isn't always convenient. I really want to start this "business" but, it is NOT convenient for me to try to get to the Records building. And since I'm 13, that means my parents to would have to drive me there. And we have a decently busy schedule. This is a small little thing, with very little income, and I won't be making very many of these. I do not buy in bulk either.
Thanks,
Click to expand...

Call and ask.

https://www.tax.ohio.gov/TaxEducation/starting_a_business_step_2.aspx
 
rockets said:
Don: I can't seem to upload my Microsoft File of the instructions.

___________________
And also, for everyone here is the pictures of the components. They are all from Estes Rockets, except for the fins. The fins are 1/8 inch balsa fins I cut out on a Scroll Saw. They may look a little rough, but some sanding with soft sandpaper like 240 grit; and it'll be just fine! It's a REALLY tight fit in the box, it's something I got from a order from eRockets. I think it cost a little over $4 for him to ship a kit in that box. Priority Mail seems a little expensive; if you want Priority Mail, whatever. It's your money!! :)
Thanks,
Click to expand...

I will too look at your instructions if you find out how to post them and suggest edits.

You might want to consider including a sheet of balsa hand having the user cut out fins. I'm more concerned with how the balsa looks crushed on the fin surface. And the grain direction.

Put it in the box so the tube is diagonal.
 
rockets said:
Hmm, the people I know in my local rocket club like flying HPR, I don't know if they want to fly this on a small, small!! motor. I guess I can ask, but I don't think I would see them wanting to do that.
Click to expand...

Guilt them into it. Say things like "pay it forward." Tell them you may lose interest in the hobby. Ask them what Vern Estes would do. If that fails, take a lesson from Roger.

[YOUTUBE]vzUCbCIFhPo[/YOUTUBE]
 
Andrew,

I'll build and test if for you and give you the feedback you need. I'll PM you an email and we can work out arrangements.

also, the kit looks much better! Good job sourcing a proper nosecone and good job packaging things. The fins look a little rough. I can clean them up but that is something you may want to work on.
 
I would not worry about setting up a "proper" business until you cross the 600-1000.00 profit line.

BUT i would worry about cutting fins with the proper grain orientation.

View attachment 320002

Surprised no one caught that. You have it running parallel to body tube. They can easily break. Grain SHOULD run with the leading edge angle.

PS I have shipped 30-35 small kits. Have not found a cheaper solution than the triangle shaped free boxes from the Post Office. Just cut them down to size you need.
 
blackjack2564 said:
I would not worry about setting up a "proper" business until you cross the 600-1000.00 profit line.

BUT i would worry about cutting fins with the proper grain orientation.

View attachment 320002

Surprised no one caught that. You have it running parallel to body tube. They can easily break. Grain SHOULD run with the leading edge angle.

PS I have shipped 30-35 small kits. Have not found a cheaper solution than the triangle shaped free boxes from the Post Office. Just cut them down to size you need.
Click to expand...

How much did it cost to ship those small kits??
Yeah, I NEED to figure out what to do with those fins. They're 1/8 inch thick and the rocket will only be flying on A-C motors. It took me an hour to cut out those fins. :(
Thanks,
 
blackjack2564 said:
BUT i would worry about cutting fins with the proper grain orientation.

Surprised no one caught that. You have it running parallel to body tube. They can easily break. Grain SHOULD run with the leading edge angle.
Click to expand...


I did:
I will too look at your instructions if you find out how to post them and suggest edits.

You might want to consider including a sheet of balsa hand having the user cut out fins. I'm more concerned with how the balsa looks crushed on the fin surface. And the grain direction.


Put it in the box so the tube is diagonal.
Click to expand...
:)
 
rockets said:
How much did it cost to ship those small kits??
Yeah, I NEED to figure out what to do with those fins. They're 1/8 inch thick and the rocket will only be flying on A-C motors. It took me an hour to cut out those fins. :(
Thanks,
Click to expand...

Supply a piece of balsa and a printed template instead.
 
SecretSquirrel said:
Just for clarification, it took an hour to cut out 4 fins or an hour to cut out all the fins for your first run of kits?
Click to expand...

It took me an hour to figure out what size fins I needed, made them smooth and modified them so, in other words, I used that hour to experiment with different sizes and such. I did about 2 or 3 sets in that 1 hour, but from now on it will take me not even 5 minutes to cut them out, because I know what size to use, what sander I need to use, & what balsa wood width I need. So, the hard stuff is out of the way! :)
_______________________________________
Don, Do you like my newest version of of the instructions? BTW, Thank you for the tips via email, they REALLY helped!! :)
Thanks,
 
TRFfan said:
In the instuctions
Click to expand...

I only put two in there because those two steps seemed a little complicated. The others... I thought were simple enough, that I thought I didn't need to put pictures in there.
They take a while to make.
Thanks,
 
I wonder: does anybody here have their fins done by a laser cutting company, or does anyone do it on here?? That could make the fins look better!
Thanks,
 
rockets said:
I wonder: does anybody here have their fins done by a laser cutting company, or does anyone do it on here?? That could make the fins look better!
Thanks,
Click to expand...

Yep, we laser cut our fins.

DSCF0895.jpg
 
Last edited:
blackjack2564 said:
I would not worry about setting up a "proper" business until you cross the 600-1000.00 profit line.

BUT i would worry about cutting fins with the proper grain orientation.

View attachment 320002

Surprised no one caught that. You have it running parallel to body tube. They can easily break. Grain SHOULD run with the leading edge angle.

PS I have shipped 30-35 small kits. Have not found a cheaper solution than the triangle shaped free boxes from the Post Office. Just cut them down to size you need.
Click to expand...

I wasn't sure if the were cut correct or not. If the angled cut was the root edge, they'd be fine.
 
rockets said:
I wonder: does anybody here have their fins done by a laser cutting company, or does anyone do it on here?? That could make the fins look better!
Thanks,
Click to expand...

I know that the owner of Red River Rocketry used the laser cutter at the local maker space. They also used the lathes and more recently the 3D printers. (a step in how they made resin cast cones)

For that maker space there's an age limit, so if you want to go on that route, you might need an adult to cut the fins and stuff for you.

I remember the owner telling the club of how he can cut rings for 3¢ (or something) each including material and cutting time cost compared to the equal or lesser quality 25¢ rings from a vendor. So if you can access one, a maker space, particularly the laser cutter, within might be a great resource and favorable to outsourcing.
 
rockets said:
View attachment 320004
There we go!! There is the new & revised instructions.
Let me know what you all think of them.

Thanks,
Click to expand...

I think you should add more details to the steps and revise the grammar to appear more professional. Additional pictures would be nice as well.
Have you built a Semroc kit before? If so, you can look at the instructions and use them as a sort of gold standard for yours.
 
rockets said:
How much do you charge?
If you can do those fins that I cut, but you do it, how much would you charge??
Thanks,
Click to expand...

There are some variables involved which we can discuss privately, through email. I don't do price quotes on a public forum.
 
Make a list with the materials the builder will have to supply.

If the instructions will be printed and included with the kits, add a QR code to go with links.

I personally feel that the font size is too large.

Some of the "LET DRY"s should be "LET CURE."

Part 9: What paint scheme above?

Part 5: I would have the user poke a hole with a hobby knife and superglue isn't the best way to attach.

You don't mention how to use the clay. If this was someone's first kit that requires it, would they know what to do?

Plastic cement works for the nose cone as well. I would even say it to be favorable against the other options.

You need a LOT more detail. For instance, in motor mount assembly you have hardly any detail and some of the units are off. 4" is longer than a standard 18mm motor. Include mm conversions for the units and more measurements or blueprint quality drawings. The LL line is not centered in the drawing, it should be [root(2)]/2 units from the center assuming the rectangle representing the BT is 2 units tall. Is there a glassine ring for the motor hook?
 
Last edited:
Incongruent said:
Make a list with the materials the builder will have to supply.

If the instructions will be printed and included with the kits, add a QR code to go with links.

I personally feel that the font size is too large.

Some of the "LET DRY"s should be "LET CURE."

Part 9: What paint scheme above?

Part 5: I would have the user poke a hole with a hobby knife and superglue isn't the best way to attach.

You don't mention how to use the clay. If this was someone's first kit that requires it, would they know what to do?

Plastic cement works for the nose cone as well. I would even say it to be favorable against the other options.

You need a LOT more detail. For instance, in motor mount assembly you have hardly any detail and some of the units are off. 4" is longer than a standard 18mm motor. Include mm conversions for the units and more measurements or blueprint quality drawings. The LL line is not centered in the drawing, it should be [root(2)]/2 units from the center assuming the rectangle representing the BT is 2 units tall. Is there a glassine ring for the motor hook?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I didn't quite design this for beginning beginners. It was more of a intermediate kit, for someone who has built rockets kits before.
Thanks,
 
Being for intermediate builders doesn't excuse lack of quality instructions. Yes, I could build the kit without any instructions at all, but then it's essentially a bag of parts I might as well scratch build for less and add more detail.

The simplicity makes it a beginner difficulty kit. (assuming thorough instructions are included) If I were to build it close to stock, I would want well designed instructions so I don't have to go through the head scratching of scratch building. In other words, kits are supposed to be smooth builds if the directions are followed regardless of builder quality.
 

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