Magnum Build

berlinetta said:

All internal fillets are complete. Now to get the rail button mounts cut. I am thinking about putting one of them on the very top centering ring, but I fear that the recovery system will either snag on it or even tear it away from the centering ring. I will be using epoxy to mount them to the centering rings.

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Here is the rail button mount on my magnum. Shouldn't have any problems with any snagging - either way, it's just the drogue, so I don't have to worry about the main chute.

It's finally cooling down here in Florida so I am getting back to work on several projects I've had in work since the early summer. Had to take a break for a few months and avoid the heat!!

Thank you for the picture. Now I have a good visual as to how it will look. I am hoping to get this build done by the spring. I will probably cut the wood on Sunday and get the t-nuts epoxied in them. Before I epoxy them onto the centering rings, I have have to get the tip-to-tip 'glassing done first.

I finally started the tip to tip fiberglassing. I have the first piece drying as I type this at 4:30 AM. Once it is fully cured, I will move on to the second piece of fiberglass.

berlinetta said:

I finally started the tip to tip fiberglassing. I have the first piece drying as I type this at 4:30 AM. Once it is fully cured, I will move on to the second piece of fiberglass.

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Can't wait to see some pics! Weather permitting, my Magnum may be making its first flight next Saturday on a K540M.

When you said "second piece of fiberglass", did you mean a second layer on the same fin, or the next set of fins?

The next set of fins. I trimmed off the excess 'glass around 10 this morning. I will post a picture once they are all done.

I would love to see pictures of your Magnum. Is yours the 3E version?

berlinetta said:

The next set of fins. I trimmed off the excess 'glass around 10 this morning. I will post a picture once they are all done.

I would love to see pictures of your Magnum. Is yours the 3E version?

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Yes, it's a 3E but with a 54mm MMT. I wasn't going to be launching "M" motors in it, so I went with the smaller MMT. After a few successful launches, I'll be willing to risk it with an "L" impulse.

Here is the build thread for it: https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?55931-LOC-MAGNUM-3E-BUILD-THREAD&highlight=magnum+build

I believe CTI has a 54mm L motor. I have the 75-54mm adapter where, if heavy enough, I'll fly it on a K at Berwick, ME for its first flight.

How did you keep the body tube opened enough to get the fin unit back in? I can get to the second centering ring and the end of the body tube kinda closes up if I am making any sense.

Second set of fins done.

berlinetta said:

I believe CTI has a 54mm L motor. I have the 75-54mm adapter where, if heavy enough, I'll fly it on a K at Berwick, ME for its first flight. How did you keep the body tube opened enough to get the fin unit back in? I can get to the second centering ring and the end of the body tube kinda closes up if I am making any sense.

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Yes, CTI has several L motors for the 54mm 6xl case, I picked one up at the Wildman sale last year. I'll fly it in my stretched dual deploy LOC Doorknob soon.

I know exactly what you mean about the body tube closing back up when inserting the fin assembly. It takes some careful prying as it slides in that last bit. Popsicle sticks help if you don't have an extra set of hands helping you......

I once saw an L1000 54mm single use motor built by a fellow that shall remain nameless. It was 4 feet long and one of the most violent motors I had ever seen. Really impressive. The guy's initials were J.I.

I never thought of that. I will definitely use popsicle sticks.

Last night I decided to finally secure the fin unit into the body tube. Well, once again, I managed to do something stupid. I should have covered the top of the motor tube somehow. Epoxy dripped into the motor tube. I can get my 75mm motor in and out of it OK. My question for everyone is will the little amount of epoxy that dripped in there affect me removing the motor after the flight?

OK, update time. I have the gaps along the fins and body tube filled with 5 minute epoxy gel. I then did normal epoxy fillets with my 30 minute epoxy. When I mounted my rail buttonmounts, I only mounted them on the two lower centering rings so they are about 10 inches apart. The electrontics bay is done for the most part. I just have to drill out the two switch holes and it will be done. I am going to be using the bulkheads and insides from the bay on my Big Nuke 3E for the Magnum's flights. I also drilled out the pressure holes in both body tubes.

Ahem... You have posted 3 times with no pictures whatsoever. I am disappointed. Very disappointed.

berlinetta said:

Last night I decided to finally secure the fin unit into the body tube. Well, once again, I managed to do something stupid. I should have covered the top of the motor tube somehow. Epoxy dripped into the motor tube. I can get my 75mm motor in and out of it OK. My question for everyone is will the little amount of epoxy that dripped in there affect me removing the motor after the flight?

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you should be fine. it happens every once in a while. as long as it is not too tight of a fit.

blackbrandt said:

Ahem... You have posted 3 times with no pictures whatsoever. I am disappointed. Very disappointed.

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I know. I have been pretty bad as far as taking pictures. I am just excited that I am making headway with this project.

conman13 said:

you should be fine. it happens every once in a while. as long as it is not too tight of a fit.

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No tight fit at all. Thanks for the help.

I'll FINALLY be flying my LOC Magnum (Hello Pirate Kitty) up in Bunnell tomorrow on a K540M. The weather God's are smiling, predicted to be a beautiful Florida day!!!!!