Looking good. Did you ever resolve the canopy question?
Celestial Jet
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I have it narrowed down to a few good canopy candidates. I'm trying to get specific dimensions, which don't seem to be available however, so I may need to just make my best guess and order one or two. I'm still inclined to try vacuum forming one, for a winter project, and as a skill to learn.
I know this dates me but I had a vacuum form toy as a kid.
My cousin had one. We used to make speed boat hulls and race them on a little creek near his house.I know this dates me but I had a vacuum form toy as a kid.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1962-Matte...a=1&pg=2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109
Clear plastic for the unit is here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/233397672149
You would have to make your own master mold for the canopy.
Cool. This brings back good memories. Thanks!
Amsterdam
__________
Ive made a vacuum former in a shamefully quick and dirty way, I’ll see if I can dig it out.
it’s a shoebox with pegboard glued to the lid, a hole in the side for the vac attachment and a screw in the center of the pegboard to secure masters. I made a frame from 1/2” square dowel that fits snug enough over the lid. I staple styrene to the frame and toss it in a toaster oven (sheet up) set on broil till the sheet bubbles then smooths. Immediately after it smooths I lower and fit the frame over the pegboard.
i tried to use a heat gun at first but it had too much airflow. I’ve only used 0.5mm white styrene from evergreen thicker or thinner would probably work. Same with clear.
it’s a shoebox with pegboard glued to the lid, a hole in the side for the vac attachment and a screw in the center of the pegboard to secure masters. I made a frame from 1/2” square dowel that fits snug enough over the lid. I staple styrene to the frame and toss it in a toaster oven (sheet up) set on broil till the sheet bubbles then smooths. Immediately after it smooths I lower and fit the frame over the pegboard.
i tried to use a heat gun at first but it had too much airflow. I’ve only used 0.5mm white styrene from evergreen thicker or thinner would probably work. Same with clear.
Interesting, I'd be curious to see it. I had something like that in mind, made with 1/4" plywood. It seems like something pretty simple ought to work. The real trick is getting the mold really good.
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Very nice lines!
The second coat of primer is on and wet sanded. It is far from perfect, but good enough. I also have the nose cone sled ready (pre-decorated by my son), just waiting for the Eggtimer sale to order another Proton.
That nose cone sled is lovely. Almost time to unveil the paint scheme?
Yes, and I if I get some input or suggestions, it may help improve my design. It's usually more difficult for me to come up with creative and interesting paint schemes that look good. I'll see if I can draw up something to post.
Oooooh boy, I apologize for all the sensibilities I'm sure to offend with this. I bet neil_w is twitching.
Anyway, the two basic design elements I have in mind are a broad sun that spreads across the two wings, visible from the top, and a color burst pattern on the top fin. I have no idea how to do those fancy graphics, I normally just do all this visualization in my head, or with pen and paper.
I want to add some color to the bottom fins. Maybe the central dorsal is orange, and the side dorsals are blue and green. Perhaps the rest of the rocket is just plain white with some jet related detail, like panel lines, access hatches, warning labels, arrows, numbers, stuff like that.
Anyway, the two basic design elements I have in mind are a broad sun that spreads across the two wings, visible from the top, and a color burst pattern on the top fin. I have no idea how to do those fancy graphics, I normally just do all this visualization in my head, or with pen and paper.
I want to add some color to the bottom fins. Maybe the central dorsal is orange, and the side dorsals are blue and green. Perhaps the rest of the rocket is just plain white with some jet related detail, like panel lines, access hatches, warning labels, arrows, numbers, stuff like that.
How about something like this?
Oh man, that is really cool, I love it. That really fits the vision I had for this.
I was thinking of that picture when you described your vision. I love it, seems like a good painting challenge though.
Yes, that would be very challenging to duplicate, I don't have the painting skills for that. I'd like to somewhat duplicate the essence of that theme, in a simpler form. The stars are a nice touch, I wonder if I could do those.
I’d actually like to know how they do a paint job like that on the real plane...
Nytrunner
Pop lugs, not drugs
Carefully
I jest. Probably a wrap likewith autos, but that's just spit balling on my part
Probably some sort of air brush system. I've seen some mighty fine airbrush murals on the sides of pickups.
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Very nice work, both in design and execution!
We're nearing the time when the weather makes paintable days few and far between. I set aside a few minutes between replacing garage doors and weatherproofing my porch to get at least one coat of paint on. It may need a second, but so far I'm very happy with Rustoleum 2x, I seem to be getting better and more consistent results with it. I still haven't decided exactly what I want to do for a paint scheme, however.
Next up is finding a canopy, building the Eggtimer Proton, wiring for airstart motors, parachute cannon, and all that.
Next up is finding a canopy, building the Eggtimer Proton, wiring for airstart motors, parachute cannon, and all that.
As much as I'd like to try vacuum forming my own canopy, I have too many other things going on to tackle that particular project. So I ordered a 5" and 7" canopy from Sig. Neither is quite perfect, but I think with some trimming, the 7" will do.
If you would put the canopy more forward you could easily form whatever shape or size you want using simple JB weld plastic epoxy. Easy to work and a smoothing with some water and your finger as it sets makes it so smooth you barely have to sand it. Extremely strong and you can get a tight bond to the nose cone with roughing and even rivet holes. You can easily fill in any gaps with bonds or squadron putty.
But epoxy clay is heavy! Isn't that a bad thing in model rocketry? Not when the weight is up front and you have lots of powerful motors on the hind end of a silly airplane oddroc. Power and nose weight RULE!
Farther back you go on the canopy you can use shaped balsa on the body tube if the canopy is split on the nose and body. I did this on a B 58 and it worked great. You could later glue on clear vacuform parts that you could recess in the clay when molding it and before it fully sets up.
But epoxy clay is heavy! Isn't that a bad thing in model rocketry? Not when the weight is up front and you have lots of powerful motors on the hind end of a silly airplane oddroc. Power and nose weight RULE!
Farther back you go on the canopy you can use shaped balsa on the body tube if the canopy is split on the nose and body. I did this on a B 58 and it worked great. You could later glue on clear vacuform parts that you could recess in the clay when molding it and before it fully sets up.
I haven't used JB weld plastic epoxy, but I like the sound of it. I'm not yet exactly sure how the canopy will sit, but I'll check out this JB weld plastic, thanks.
Nytrunner
Pop lugs, not drugs
Word: it stinks to high heaven. Be advised
I would say it smells like their Expoxy but not overpowering. Not as bad as Old Yeller's breath. Definitely wear Nitrile gloves and make sure your hand muscles are warmed up for some strong and fast needing to get a good quick mix. I guess the real test would be if you were good with playdough as a kid you might be a natural at shaping epoxy clay canopies. You have 20 to 25 minutes working time which was enough for me to shape the complex front ends of an Avro Lancaster and Dornier 217.
Nytrunner
Pop lugs, not drugs
We may be thinking of different products. Im referring tonthe stinky 2-part liquid plastic weld, not the clay-like stuff
I used to use R/C 56 (formula 560?) for R/C airplane canopies, but I'm not sure if it would hold up to rocket flights. Whatever glue I use, I may supplement it with some small nylon screws. It will take a bit of creativity yet to give the canopy a firm attachment.
It took some tedious cutting, scraping, and sanding, but it is close now. I think I'll add some contoured hard points at the front and rear for secure attachment and to help blend the canopy in and hide the seams.
It took some tedious cutting, scraping, and sanding, but it is close now. I think I'll add some contoured hard points at the front and rear for secure attachment and to help blend the canopy in and hide the seams.
I just read your sig Beels...
I'm still laughing, and that song is now stuck firmly in my brain...
Que bass soloist, legato (hands clasped appropriately):
"I have to prime and sandalot..."
Canopy looks great, by the way!
I'm still laughing, and that song is now stuck firmly in my brain...
Que bass soloist, legato (hands clasped appropriately):
"I have to prime and sandalot..."
Canopy looks great, by the way!
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Full lyrics in my profile. Hey Marten, you gotta get rid of "only just" in the fourth line.
Aaaaaaand back to rockets.
Aaaaaaand back to rockets.
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