- Joined
- May 9, 2018
- Messages
- 300
- Reaction score
- 181
I remember seeing the Estes Mean Machine in their catalog in the late 70s and thought it looked cool. IIRC the tallest rocket was either the Centuri Arrow 300 or the Estes Andromeda in my fleet. So, my first build thread will be a Mean Machine almost a half-century later. Better late than never (HA!)
Initially, I planned to build as stock, but that would be exciting as watching cement dry. Then, perhaps, convert the kit from 24mm to 29mm with TTW fins. But instead, I decided to use this kit as a sounding rocket for dual deployment, ejection baffle, airbrush techniques, CAD, 3D printing, etc. In addition, it will be a trial run for future build threads.
I bought additional items from Apogee, Balsa Machining, Qualman Rocketry, and Rocketry Works.
The MM Fin Upgrade kit includes CR to fit LOC Precision heavy wall motor tube. Unfortunately, the CR ID is too large for the MMT. I've recently bought several LOC 29mm MMT, and none fit the CR. So I prepped the MMT with only a light sanding to scuff the outer surface. Next, I measured the MMT circumference with a tape measure. Then, I cut two strips of 24 lbs of copy paper and 20 lbs of copy paper to the length measured. Finally, I bonded the strips around the MMT at each CR location with Elmer's Multi-Purpose Glue-All (white glue).
The BT-60 has tight spiral seams that require filling. So, I used 150-grit sandpaper to smooth everything. Then, I thinned the all-purpose wood filler until it had a milky consistency, applied it with a paintbrush, and let it dry after an hour. Finally, I used 220-grit to finish.
Initially, I planned to build as stock, but that would be exciting as watching cement dry. Then, perhaps, convert the kit from 24mm to 29mm with TTW fins. But instead, I decided to use this kit as a sounding rocket for dual deployment, ejection baffle, airbrush techniques, CAD, 3D printing, etc. In addition, it will be a trial run for future build threads.
I bought additional items from Apogee, Balsa Machining, Qualman Rocketry, and Rocketry Works.
The MM Fin Upgrade kit includes CR to fit LOC Precision heavy wall motor tube. Unfortunately, the CR ID is too large for the MMT. I've recently bought several LOC 29mm MMT, and none fit the CR. So I prepped the MMT with only a light sanding to scuff the outer surface. Next, I measured the MMT circumference with a tape measure. Then, I cut two strips of 24 lbs of copy paper and 20 lbs of copy paper to the length measured. Finally, I bonded the strips around the MMT at each CR location with Elmer's Multi-Purpose Glue-All (white glue).
The BT-60 has tight spiral seams that require filling. So, I used 150-grit sandpaper to smooth everything. Then, I thinned the all-purpose wood filler until it had a milky consistency, applied it with a paintbrush, and let it dry after an hour. Finally, I used 220-grit to finish.
