Christmas Gift Ideas?

[BobCox]

My family can never think of what to get me for Christamas. Anybody have any ideas for rocketry-related gifts that I can put on my list?

I already have over 100 kits in my build queue so I don't need any more of them. I am thinking more along the lines of tools or building supplies, preferably something that could be bought locally. In the $10-$75 price range.

 

[Gillard]

specialist paint, like glow in the dark, or thermochromatic.
or dremel type tools or attachments
i have the same problem as you, familt know that i like rockets but i've got so many in the build pile that they don't know what to get me. usually its just cash for motors.

 

[Slickwilly]

I would love to get a small lathe and a 50 ft. piece of 3X3 balsa.

 

[dragon_rider10]

Howabout an Oddlrockets Blast and 10pak of Raise supports? www.oddlrockets.com

 

[KerryQuinn]

This year I asked Santa for some Rocket Launch wear from the NARTS store (I like the idea of of supporting NAR, and.... you've got to look good when you're at a launch :hohoho

 

[fxrs]

How about an Estes or whomever manufacture you prefer
rocket bulk pack that you could then donate to a local boy scout troop.
Or how about an Estes starter kit you could donate to a needy family.
Each scout in my sons boy scout troop buys a gift for kids in
less fortunate familys every year. I've only been working 32 hours
a week since last March so our money is a little tight. I put off
buying my once a month train magazine for the last few months
so we could buy the scout gift. The troop limit for these gifts is
$10, but the gift my son and I wanted to give cost us $16 + tax.
Can't buy much for $10 especially when you don't know the
recipient. Anyway for the record I'm a conservative and not
someone who believes everyone should have everything
in life for little or not effort. I bust my hump for every thing
I get but it is that time of year to help out our fellow man
as we see fit not as our government sees fit. I also hope that
any fellow rocketeer who does not believe in Christmas or
has another belief is not offended by this thread.

 

[MarkII]

Laser cutter? :santa-smile:

This could work as a rocket locater. Or this. And this looks like it would work well, too.

Actually, you need a green laser pointer. Everyone needs a green laser pointer. And these. resent:

MarkII

 

[dave carver]

...have you seen the filament winding machine on eBay? That and 1000 miles of CF strand and a couple of 55 gallon barrels of epoxy(resin and hardener) and your in the rocket tube/motor caseing business.

...now that I think on it that might be a little outside the budget :impatient:

 

[MarkII]

Here.

MarkII

 

[eugenefl]

My family can never think of what to get me for Christamas. Anybody have any ideas for rocketry-related gifts that I can put on my list?

I already have over 100 kits in my build queue so I don't need any more of them. I am thinking more along the lines of tools or building supplies, preferably something that could be bought locally. In the $10-$75 price range.

Table vise from Sears $39.99

A variety of hobby tools from Harbor Freight: Magnifying lamp, helping hands with LED, magnifying glass tweezers, 12x pirate telescope (LOL!), etc.

Harbor Freight Drill Press ($89.99)

10" Bench Disc Sander @ HF ($79.99)

 

[BobCox]

Okay, now the ball is rolling.

What about airbrushes? How much would I have to spend to get a decent entry-level airbrush set? I don't have a compressor yet, so how much would one of those cost?

Does anybody sell hot-wire foam cutters, or are they pretty much DIY projects?

I've never done any fiberglassing. What would I need to get started in that?

 

[MarkII]

All hail Google: :happydeer:

Airbrushes.

Foam cutters.
Another cutter.

Info on foam cutters.
More info.
And more info.

MarkII

 

[dpower]

This is what I'm buying for my wife to give me this Christmas - an exacto detail file set, great for that detail work, and a 12" steel ruler, doubles as a great straight edge when cutting out fins, wraps, decals, etc.

Motors are always good too.

 

[eugenefl]

Okay, now the ball is rolling.

What about airbrushes? How much would I have to spend to get a decent entry-level airbrush set? I don't have a compressor yet, so how much would one of those cost?

Does anybody sell hot-wire foam cutters, or are they pretty much DIY projects?

I've never done any fiberglassing. What would I need to get started in that?

As for glassing you'd need the actual fiber weave/cloth and 2-part epoxies. Depending on the project size a small assortment of disposable brushes/rollers and mixing pans would round out a starter kit. I started out using thin 30min hobby grade epoxy, but for the larger projects everyone swears by West Systems which would easily exceed the gift budget. I always found fiberglassing on a smaller scale (2.6"-4" tubes) to be an enjoyable part of the build process even if it wasn't always necessary.

I thought of airbrush systems too, but all I could find were systems in the $225+.

I've never used a hot wire cutter, but it seems like a DIY project unless there are commercially available kits.

 

[eugenefl]

How about a mini digital camera w/ a memory card for aerial photography? Portables can easily be found for under $75. Something along the lines of an Aiptek. Maybe you could put together an onboard DIY camera kit (i.e. 2" bulkhead kit w/ rings/tube/coupler, mirror, and nosecone).

Aiptek Camera

You could probably shop the typical retailers like Walmart, Radio Shack, Best Buy, etc. to find something comparable for a mini digicam. The Oregon Scientific ATC2K might be a neat setup.

 

[H_Rocket]

The heck with all these guy-gifts.


Anybody got any idea what my wife wants for XMAS?

 

[eugenefl]

The heck with all these guy-gifts.


Anybody got any idea what my wife wants for XMAS?

That's a rabbit hole man, but diamonds usually seem to do the trick.

 

[Peartree]

The heck with all these guy-gifts.


Anybody got any idea what my wife wants for XMAS?

My wife bought herself a new guitar (with my encouragement). She feels so bad about spending the money that she told me not to buy her anything for Christmas.




I know its a trap.

 

[MrEd]

If you don't have "Rockets of the World", then it should be on your list.

 

[BobCox]

I know its a trap.

Oh yeah, big time!