CNC machine shop

I own an aerospace and defense CNC machine shop and with my son getting older and becoming more interested in rocketry, I have decided to reach out and see if there are rocket components that are difficult to find and see if there are items that need to be made so I can maybe have a positive impact on the rocketry industry while helping my son.

I would be more than happy to help sponsor a program to some degree as well.

I've sent you a message on 3-4 pieces of aluminum that are not currently made -- let me know if any of it sounds interesting!

Nozzles in bulk

Show me some examples of some items.

I've looked for tail cone retainers for smaller tubes with no luck. Maybe there's a reason though.

https://aeropack.net/motortailcones.asp

Like these??

as9100d said:

https://aeropack.net/motortailcones.asp

Like these??

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Yes. From that site:

• Sizes available:Retainer bodies available for all standard paper, phenolic and fiberglass motor mount tubes.
  • 38mm MMT to 3.00" Airframe
  • 54mm MMT to 3.00" Airframe
  • 54mm MMT to 3.90" Airframe
  • 75mm MMT to 3.90" Airframe

So I've been wondering why they don't have smaller sizes. They would look just as good on smaller rockets, but I suspect it may be a weight or CG issue i.e. C motors might not be be able to lift aluminum tail cones plus the extra nose weight required for balance. Not so sure about E and F though.

Idk they wouldn't weigh much at all really... Probably just hasn't been a big enough demand for them. that said, I'd be interested in making some.

Well, this is the kit I wanted it for (note lack of tail cone): https://locprecision.com/product/pfy-hawk/
And here's a hi-res of the real thing for scale (just look up "hawk missile" for tons of pics from all angles):
If you try it out, I'll be interested in your progress.

Something simple similar to the sanding T that Tin Van uses at Apogee or the sanding block Great Plains that Chris Mic uses on Model Rocket Building Blog?

Great idea. What lengths and widths would be ideal?

Adhesive backed sand paper or non adhesive?

Weighted or lighter weight blocks?

Funkworks said:

I've looked for tail cone retainers for smaller tubes with no luck. Maybe there's a reason though.

Click to expand...

Are you looking for 24 & 29mm? A company in the UK, that is now apparently out of business, made coned retainers for 24mm, 29mm, and up. There are more pics at the links below.



https://www.rocketreviews.com/rowes-retainers-retainer-24mm-cone--by-emrr.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20101031171724/https://www.rowesretainers.co.uk/

sl98 said:

Are you looking for 24 & 29mm? A company in the UK, that is now apparently out of business, made coned retainers for 24mm, 29mm, and up. There are more pics at the links below.

View attachment 398865

https://www.rocketreviews.com/rowes-retainers-retainer-24mm-cone--by-emrr.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20101031171724/https://www.rowesretainers.co.uk/

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I can make these easily. I just need to get some dimensions and draw them up.

Of anyone wants to draw a cruise sketch with some accurate dimensions, I can draw it in cad quickly and post the results here.

Aerotech compatable 38mm tail cone closures.

as9100d said:

I can make these easily. I just need to get some dimensions and draw them up.

Of anyone wants to draw a cruise sketch with some accurate dimensions, I can draw it in cad quickly and post the results here.

Click to expand...

I ended up trying to mash something up with a K-cup coffee pod, screwed it up, decided I had spent enough time on a minor detail, and opted for sanding a plastic Estes retainer. Looks ok now.

Exterior dimensions for an actual Al cone are easy from pics but minimizing interior weight requires thinking. Someone owning one of the larger units would be better suited for the interior design.

Let's get some high quality sanding blocks going.

What widths and lengths would be best? I'll get some drawn up today and in production.

as9100d said:

Great idea. What lengths and widths would be ideal?

Adhesive backed sand paper or non adhesive?

Weighted or lighter weight blocks?

Click to expand...

I hope I'm not stepping on toes by posting images below, but these are the ones I was thinking about.

As for sizes, an idea would be to make them work with a sheet of sandpaper 9x11, 11÷4 11÷5, 9÷3, 9÷4, 1/4 sheets...

5.5x1.5 sounds like a good size ((half of 11)x(1/6 of 9)) I don't know if they make full size sticky sheets. Of figure in the folding for overlapping on the tool. Already making my head hurt.

as for sticky I've seen a lot of 2.75 wide rolls, but I'm sure there are some others.

Aerospace parts are just parts.

KC3KNM said:

Aerospace parts are just parts.

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[emoji23] tell that to my quality managers.

as9100d said:

[emoji23] tell that to my quality managers.

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I saw the thread over on PM and assumed you were the same guy.

KC3KNM said:

I saw the thread over on PM and assumed you were the same guy.

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Same guy.

I wish they were all the same! Aerospace is such a pain in the butt. Eddy current test this, Rockwell that, conductivity test this part, magnaflux this...

Had a bunch of NDT stuff going on in the shop today.

as9100d said:

Same guy.

I wish they were all the same! Aerospace is such a pain in the butt. Eddy current test this, Rockwell that, conductivity test this part, magnaflux this...

Had a bunch of NDT stuff going on in the shop today.

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Yeah, I feel your pain. The radar stuff we did at my Dad's shop was a nightmare at times.

Granted, the "aerospace" stuff I make now stays in house so I have less paperwork to do. I'm thankful for that, but getting a drawing at 6pm and needing the part by 6am can be a little tight at times.

KC3KNM said:

Yeah, I feel your pain. The radar stuff we did at my Dad's shop was a nightmare at times.

Granted, the "aerospace" stuff I make now stays in house so I have less paperwork to do. I'm thankful for that, but getting a drawing at 6pm and needing the part by 6am can be a little tight at times.

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Take it you have a home shop? Primary job?

a precise fin jig would be really cool.

Also, I would buy an ISC transition right now, they're similar in shape to tail cones.

a motor mount setup that doesn't involve epoxy would be nice. Something like a thrust ring with a bulkhead attached to the body tube with something besides an adhesive.
https://www.apogeerockets.com/Building_Supplies/Thrust_Plates

as9100d said:

Take it you have a home shop? Primary job?

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Nope, work at a start up building an eVTOL. We've got a small in house shop for protos and stuff we need yesterday.

I would buy one if they were affordable and reliable. Wife and I have been considering an r22 here lately to travel from our property to the shop to save on travel time. I just don't like the idea of learning to fly a helicopter when I already fly an airplane.

What is the startup your working at?

as9100d said:

I would buy one if they were affordable and reliable. Wife and I have been considering an r22 here lately to travel from our property to the shop to save on travel time. I just don't like the idea of learning to fly a helicopter when I already fly an airplane.

What is the startup your working at?

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Yeah, it'll still be a while out before eVTOLs become common. It'll be pretty neat though.

Beta Technologies.

as9100d said:

I own an aerospace and defense CNC machine shop and with my son getting older and becoming more interested in rocketry, I have decided to reach out and see if there are rocket components that are difficult to find and see if there are items that need to be made so I can maybe have a positive impact on the rocketry industry while helping my son.

I would be more than happy to help sponsor a program to some degree as well.

Click to expand...

Love it! There are literally tons of things you could make. Just realize beforehand that the market is REALLY small. If you're not going into it to make money, I laud you..

Wallace said:

Love it! There are literally tons of things you could make. Just realize beforehand that the market is REALLY small. If you're not going into it to make money, I laud you..

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I'm more interested in making cool stuff all the while learning about rocketry for my son

You'll probably find yourself going down the rabbit hole alongside him. It is really cool stuff with endless possibilities.