New here, looking for beginner DIY projects

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Peachey

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Hey everyone, this is my first post on here and I’m hoping to find some help from people more experienced than myself.

I’ll start by getting to the main point. I am currently looking for a project to keep me busy in my spare time. I would really like to build my own model rocket, but something a bit more challenging than the very basic kits, as I’ve already done that over my previous uni holiday. Does anyone have any ideas or projects they did when they were new to rocketry that might be good? Maybe something that includes a bit of electrical equipment?

I am a 2nd year student in an Engineering & Science degree, majoring in Aerospace and Electrical on the engineering side, and I’m fascinated by rockets and anything that can fly really ;). I’ve learnt all the core engineering and physics content, so I know a little bit and I’m not afraid to go a bit further if it means learning new things!

Sorry if this is in the wrong area of the forum, feel free to move it elsewhere if it’s more appropriate :)
 
Well, I went through quite a bit of tech schooling myself (and teaching, and professional R&D), and I figured the best way to have success in this hobby was to learn from what others have done, so all I still do, after a little more than a year, is to build kits having increasing levels of complexity, or having certain differences, such that I learn something new with each one.

A lot of it also depends on how much you want to spend. And if you're really into the theory, you can do quite a bit without spending a dime (>couch< reproduce >cough< https://openrocket.info >cough<).

Once I've done the circuit of what the market can offer, I might scratch-build but at this point, I don't see why I'd do that. To each his own.
 
Beyond my skills, but may match yours.
Take apart a keychain 808 camera and put it together in a nose cone or payload section with the lens sticking out the side, facing aft, a fairing on it to make it aerodynamic, and easily accessible on and off switch and charging port.

Here is a thread on a do it yourself chute release

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/chute-release.154408/

The commercial version from Jolly Logic is supposed to be the bomb (well, that may not be best adjective, but it’s reported to be pretty darn good) but it does cost more than most low and mid power rockets.

I’ve seen some pretty cool night rockets lit up with LEDs.
 
Where are you? There might be a club nearby that can help you.
 
Like others have said, look into nearby NAR or Tripoli clubs for local weekend launches you can attend. You can learn a lot about the hobby by going to one. As for your project, you could get a kit to work on before a lunch and even get your level one certification. I'd recommend a fiberglass kit from madcow rocketry, wildman rocketry, or another online dealer. Only problem is that it may take a while for them to ship it (considering the upcoming Black Friday sales). I think madcow's sale will go live on black Friday at 7:00 am PST and wildman goes live the following Saturday at 6:00 am central. Their more popular items sell out fast though. Most of the kits don't come with shock cords or parachutes unless they say they do. If you want to make your rocket duel deploy capable or want a tracking device, eggtimer has a sale going on right now until December 2. Another brand I like is Perfectflite's stratologger deployment capable altimeters which can be purchased, at the lowest cost, from their website or from one of their dealers for a little more. I'd recommend looking for a fiberglass kit with a 29mm or 38mm motor mount. If you want to build it with dual deploy in mind, look for one that says it has an A-Bay, Altimeter Bay, or dual deploy. You should be able to fly most of their kits without certification as well on a G, and probably even and f unless it weighs a lot.
 
Wow, thanks for the fast responses everyone! I’ll be going over these suggestions when I have my next day off, but they all sound good :D

There is a rocketry club somewhere in my city I think, so I’ll definitely look into that as well!
 
As you know, it is common practice to tape or otherwise attach a video camera to the side of a rocket, and yet I have never seen wind tunnel test results of these configurations. You should have access to wind tunnels and instrumentation. Please do the testing and share the results.
 
sounds to me like you(OP) ought to be looking at payload carriers. while the kits are nice...they are all designed to fly safely w/o a payload. a bit of a challenge is to design your own that requires a minimum payload to be stable. note a 'big bertha' flies quite nicely on a 'D' engine and can carry a 4 ounce payload too :)
Rex
 
Given your background, build your own ground support equipment, particularly a Safety code compliant launch control system. There are lots of schematics online, but your background should allow you to take those to the next level in some way.
 
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