Building the SBR 3" Thor kit

[OKTurbo]

Episode 1 of OKTurbo builds the SBR 3" Thor.

 

[o1d_dude]

Subscribed.

Have the same kit in my shop so I’m looking forward to your completed project.

Always wondered about the g-flex so I’ll give it a try.

Thanks!

 

[OKTurbo]

Episode 2 is up.

 

[OKTurbo]

It’s time for a new Episode of OKTurbo and the 3” Thor Kit!
This time it’s recovery harness, electronics bay, and fillets.

 

[OKTurbo]

Hold on to your hats rocket fans! It's a bonus episode of OKTurbo Builds a 3" Thor!
This time we see how the fin fillets turn out and we do some coating with finishing resin.

 

[mo2872]

Did you get the Six10 locally, or order online?

 

[OKTurbo]

You should be able to get it at West Marine in Tulsa, but I ordered from good old Amazon.

 

[neil_w]

Just watched the first video... even though I will never build a 3" Thor, I really enjoyed it. Good tip on the Great Planes block; for some reason I never thought to use rubber cement but that seems like an ideal application.

And great eye candy in the background (both the rocket wall and that Stiletto, yowsa).

 

[OKTurbo]

Just watched the first video... even though I will never build a 3" Thor, I really enjoyed it. Good tip on the Great Planes block; for some reason I never thought to use rubber cement but that seems like an ideal application.

And great eye candy in the background (both the rocket wall and that Stiletto, yowsa).

Thanks for the feedback on the videos. Sometimes I wonder if people even are watching them. I'm a visual learner, so I find value in watching how other people do things. It's a good way to pick up valuable tips.

I'm not sure what I'll do when I fill up my shop. Maybe the wife will let me store rockets in the house?

 

[neil_w]

I'm not sure what I'll do when I fill up my shop. Maybe the wife will let me store rockets in the house?

More power to you if that works... would not fly in my house.

That's one big reason I stick to to LPR, already running out of rocket storage space in my basement. I probably have a year or two before I'm in trouble.

 

[OKTurbo]

Video update as construction winds down on the 3” Thor. Next is paint and graphics.

 

[o1d_dude]

Thanks for the feedback on the videos. Sometimes I wonder if people even are watching them. I'm a visual learner, so I find value in watching how other people do things. It's a good way to pick up valuable tips.

I'm not sure what I'll do when I fill up my shop. Maybe the wife will let me store rockets in the house?

I too am a visual learner and appreciate seeing how other rocketeers approach a project.

New techniques are gold.

Thanks for documenting your build.

 

[OKTurbo]

First coat of primer is on. I’m going with the dark Rustoleum automotive primer this time. Final color will be gloss black.

 

[OKTurbo]

Working on the electronics sled while the primer cures. Looks like it’s time to clean up the shop!

 

[firemanup]

Looking good man, enjoyed the videos as well!!!

 

[OKTurbo]

Things slow down as the finishing is happening. Here’s an update video.

 

[OKTurbo]

Gloss black is on. Now to not touch it for a few days!

 

[OKTurbo]

Still working on the finish. OKTurbo does some wet sanding.

 

[Scottydog1]

Looks really good, so far. Glad to see you did it by the book.... only thing I see done differently is the attachment of the upper payload section airframe tube using the plastic rivets, rather than epoxying it in permanently. I've done it that way in the past, too - you just want to make sure you get a good seal on the coupler tube so your ejection charge doesn't lose any energy.... I see you did it that way on your 4" Thor, too. Looks like your level of finish quality on the couplers is great using the West System, so I'm sure they fit perfectly - seal shouldn't be an issue.

On the finishing - you're right - you can do as much or as little as you desire - you've done a really thorough job on the finish - and you'll be amazed at how the decals take your eye off any minor imperfections. You just won't notice 'em.

Again, really nice job - thanks for posting these videos! I'm looking forward to the next!

Scott Binder
SBR Fusion Rocket

 

[neil_w]

you'll be amazed at how the decals take your eye off any minor imperfections. You just won't notice 'em.

I am finding that to be very true indeed, in general.

 

[David_Stack]

your comments regarding the finish, deciding how much more you want to do, etc. reminds me of a phrase used by the C/L stunt community (who still have to build and finish their own models if they want to accrue 'Appearance Points' at the AMA Nationals...)

to the effect that 'a model is never truly finished, at some point it is abandoned'

Impressive collection, especially that Iris!

 

[OKTurbo]

Update: Graphics are on!
Should have video ready tomorrow on the vinyl wrap application. Here are a couple of pics.

 

[mo2872]

Maybe you’ll get a chance to send it next weekend!

 

[OKTurbo]

 

[OKTurbo]

Ready for first flight.

 

[OKTurbo]

She finally gets to fly!