Nick Hutton
Well-Known Member
After assuring my wife I was going to spend the rest of the year building the rockets currently in my build pile and think about Level 2 next winter (down under), I discovered Havoc in the Paddock in Waikato, NZ [https://www.nzrocketry.org.nz/events/Havoc]. With a 10000 ft limit and the chance to show my new found hobby to my family and friends back home - I changed my mind and decided to make a rocket for Level 2.
Actually I’m probably going to make 3 to cover my bases - but will keep this thread for my first one.
I’m also keen to build a dual deploy rocket. I’d seen a couple of build threads for this rocket and was attracted by the all inclusive nature of the kit. We have a good supplier here in Australia but I have discovered stock levels can vary from time to time. So with only a relative few months to get going I pulled the pin and ordered from the US. Postage was quick and it arrived well packed yesterday.
Spent last night reading the very comprehensive instructions including the part about following them exactly..... but I have a few questions about small mods.
It had a LOT of laser burn. How much should I sand off to ensure centring rings are firmly attached etc.
Second, 18 min Epoxy is recommended, but as I have 15 & 30 min BSI, they’ll be my go to. Except, there is no mention of internal fillets. Given its rated for a K motor, would I be wrong to leave out the rear CR and do some internal fillets on the motor mount and inside the airframe? If I use Titebond III for the fin motor interface and internal fillets, my overall weight would be similar to using epoxy for just the fin attachments. For that matter, for a cardboard/plywood interface is epoxy going to be any stronger than TBIII anyway?
Lastly - for tonight - for those that have built it - has anyone used an aftermarket motor retainer. I’m thinking something along the lines of a 54mm PML or Aeropack retainer.
Actually I’m probably going to make 3 to cover my bases - but will keep this thread for my first one.
I’m also keen to build a dual deploy rocket. I’d seen a couple of build threads for this rocket and was attracted by the all inclusive nature of the kit. We have a good supplier here in Australia but I have discovered stock levels can vary from time to time. So with only a relative few months to get going I pulled the pin and ordered from the US. Postage was quick and it arrived well packed yesterday.
Spent last night reading the very comprehensive instructions including the part about following them exactly..... but I have a few questions about small mods.
It had a LOT of laser burn. How much should I sand off to ensure centring rings are firmly attached etc.
Second, 18 min Epoxy is recommended, but as I have 15 & 30 min BSI, they’ll be my go to. Except, there is no mention of internal fillets. Given its rated for a K motor, would I be wrong to leave out the rear CR and do some internal fillets on the motor mount and inside the airframe? If I use Titebond III for the fin motor interface and internal fillets, my overall weight would be similar to using epoxy for just the fin attachments. For that matter, for a cardboard/plywood interface is epoxy going to be any stronger than TBIII anyway?
Lastly - for tonight - for those that have built it - has anyone used an aftermarket motor retainer. I’m thinking something along the lines of a 54mm PML or Aeropack retainer.
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