scratch build

Inspiration In the days of yore, when reading G. Harry Stine's Handbook of Model Rocketry, an image toward the end of the chapter on staging struck me: The wheels in my head started spinning and couldn't be stopped. Pitchfork I built an Estes BT-50-based tractor parallel-staged model...

I started a scratch build Crossfire ISX. I scaled it using open rocket to a 2.6” airframe tube and I am going to be using a 38mm motor tube. I spent yesterday drawing up vectors and cutting out my centering rings and fins using 1/4” birch. I found a motor retainer on thingverse im going to try...

My next HPR project is ambitious, to say the least. There are a few aspects to the project: A) send a scratch built rocket over mach 2 on an L1 motor B) use a completely homegrown avionics + tracking system (I’m working on the necessary FCC stuff) C) get it all back in one piece. Current...

I'm a member of a rocketry team at Purdue University, and our team's rocket broke apart right before burnout, probably supersonic. I thought we broke a fin, but the fincan was recovered with all 4 fins still solidly attached. Any ideas on the cause of failure? Video footage, wreckage, and .ork...

A few months back I put in an order for a bunch of LOC tubes and nose cones. I've had a Polecat goblin on my wishlist for quite a while now, and with the goblin drag race at ROCstock next weekend, I decided it was time to build one. I cut the body tube to 14.25 inches and used a laser cutter to...

Hello All, Anyone here know of a source for transparent or clear 3" OD diameter, blunted ogive or pointed ogive nose cones (perhaps, even a parabolic shaped)? I've searched online for them but have not come up with any. I also searched the Forum here to no avail. I will keep trying...

Hey guys, as part of my year 12 (senior year) research project i'm conducting a survey aimed at people who have built a model rocket before. It only takes a few minutes and I would really appreciate it if you could do it. I would also really appreciate it if you could share the survey link to...

Does anyone else make simple rockets with your own fuel that consume the body as they fly?

Hi everyone, After designing and building Comoran I, I decided to move on and create version 2.0. I wanted a few things for this build: Needs a payload area Fins must be strongly attached to the frame (I had a problem with this on my previous build) Compatible with 24mm motors, both 70mm and...

Hi! I have been doing low-power rocketry for years, but I recently got interested in doing high-power rocketry, so after reading a book and talking to very helpful people on the forum I think I have a pretty good and detailed idea of what I need to do to build my level 1 rocket. It will be my...

Here are three other designs. Which do you like best? The red, white, and blue is a rear ejection system. These all fly super-straight, no corkscrewing or other weird phenomena. The gold one was originally two-stages, but i ended up filling the vent holes and making it one. Flies better. All...

NX Grand America Alpha

NX Rear Guard Patriot 1b with Loadstar II booster

NX Philoctetes B Archer

Hi! I’m new to the forum and would love any input, comments, and/or suggestions for improving my Rocket (my first scratch build). It has multiple configurations, including lifting/launching a glider at apogee. I would love to make it cooler! It is a two stage Rocket with an optional third...

Hi All, As I’m working through my L3 planning, I’m also scratch-building a 3” DD rocket with a 38mm motor tube that will be a “frequent flyer” for everything from G-J. I’m trying to make it light enough to fly under a Class 1 waiver with a G or small H, but robust enough to handle high...