problems with rocket tube crushing

hi all. i am new to rocketry and i have a small problem. i just purchased an estes 1406 alpha III rocket kit. i flew it with the stock engines. launch was perfect but when i recovered the rocket i noticed the top of the tube where the nose cone goes was slightly crimped inward. i pulled the tube back into shape and launched again. on the second launch the same thing happened. the nose cone still fits but i think in a few more launches the rocket will be damaged too much to use. any ideas what could be causing this?
remember the tube is crimped inward not outward.

puzzled in ct....................... thanks greg.......

Greg,

It sounds like during ejection, your nosecone is snapping back on the elastic shockcord and hitting your bodytube, bending it inward. You may want to try a longer shockcord.

Carl

The problem you're having is called the "Estes dent". It happens because the shock chord is too short and the nose cone smacks back into the body tube after the ejection charge.

First, just get another length of elastic strap and tie it to the end of your existing shock chord. The total length should be at least twice the length of the body tube.

You can push the end of the body tube back into shape and soak it from the inside with a little cya or superglue. This will help strengthen the weakened section.

Yea...what Squirrel said!!! I knew someone else could explain it better...good job man. I wasn't sure of the details on lengths and such...I usually go by HPR rules, which would give him a 5 foot long elastic cord for a 12" rocket...

Thanks again Squirrel,

Carl

Just don't forget to let the CA, or Super Glue dry before you put the nose cone back in Also, be careful not to get any glue on the shock cord. It will weaken it quite a bit. A great supplier of shock cord material is Wal Mart, in the fabric section. I don't even use Estes supplied cords any more. Depending on the diameter of the body tube, I frequently use a wider elastic. And, as others have said, general rule of thumb, is double the length of the rocket.

EVERYTHING from the replies above is true.

bdhiii taught me all the basics, with my alpha iii starter kit.
since then, I've gone on to scratching and bashing.

Hobby lobby has 1/4" elastic, like 6 ft for 89 cents. Buy a bunch of it and use it in excess, it can save your tubes.
spacecowboy.

Welcome to the forum, Greg!

I too, am relatively new here. The people here are extremely helpful and very kind. The only time they stop playing nice is when you don't post pictures. That's when Tony and Vinnie stop by for a little visit

BTW, the Alpha III was my first rocket. Now I am working on my level three project.

wow!
you guy's are great.
thanks for all of your fast replys and tips. i have a feeling i'll be using this forum alot.
once again thanks for all your help.

greg......................