thank you for the link..! glad i didn't use the TBII. i'll just go ahead and use the 5 min epoxy.
r-
thank you for the link..! glad i didn't use the TBII. i'll just go ahead and use the 5 min epoxy.
stock.... i attached the couplers together, used wood putty around the coupler where needed, sanded down the nosecone w/400 grit SP, and sprayed with rustoleum sandable primer. for the rocket tube i sanded with 400 grit along with the fins. i still need to do some wood putty work on the coupler, and winds on the tube, but not much now.Looks like we're basically at the same place for our builds. I just came in from the shop. Bonded the upper tube to the coupler and pulled the tape for the outer fillets. Are you going with a stock paint scheme or custom? I'm doing stock (I think it looks pretty as-is)
I’ve had a lot of success with the JL Chute release.For a secondary rocket, go with a LOC Goblin. You won't even need a chute release because it won't break 1000ft on a baby H motor, easy peasy. I honestly find the chute release a waste of money. I've had mine for a few years and have only gotten it to actually release maybe 2 times, the pin can easily get stuck on the release mechanism. I gave up on it.
Also, a LOC Goblin if built with wood glue will easily fly on G motors(I've seen one fly on a F67 although I wouldn't recommend it). It's also under the weight limit that you need a waiver for unlike the Zephyr and if you want to, you can push it for L2, it'll still hold up.
On your next build I would order some BSI 30 minute epoxy with the kit or better yet read though the sticky and choose what meets your build methods. As crazy as it sounds the “right epoxy” is debated heavily in the High Power part of the hobby. Please consider using one of our great vendors from the vendor section. I am purposely being vague because I am biased on which vendors I go to the most.thank you for the link..! glad i didn't use the TBII. i'll just go ahead and use the 5 min epoxy.
r-
I hope to start my Zephyr build in a few weeks so I appreciate your build thread!Early this morning after doing probably waaay to much research over the last couple of weeks for my L1 Cert., i pulled the trigger on the Zephyr, H100 AT DMS, Jolly Logic Alt. 2, Jolly Logic Chute Release.
As for my second rocket, i was thinking of either the mega initiator w/ebay, or the peringuene Thoughts on that?
r-
Nice! I'm about to start sanding the fins out to prep for some filler primer this afternoon.stock.... i attached the couplers together, used wood putty around the coupler where needed, sanded down the nosecone w/400 grit SP, and sprayed with rustoleum sandable primer. for the rocket tube i sanded with 400 grit along with the fins. i still need to do some wood putty work on the coupler, and winds on the tube, but not much now.
in order to get the paint.. i had to go to advanced auto. they had the sandable primer, and gloss white and black rustoleum.
thanks for the input... i'll definitely plan ahead better for my next kit. appreciate this.On your next build I would order some BSI 30 minute epoxy with the kit or better yet read though the sticky and choose what meets your build methods. As crazy as it sounds the “right epoxy” is debated heavily in the High Power part of the hobby. Please consider using one of our great vendors from the vendor section. I am purposely being vague because I am biased on which vendors I go to the most.
Can’t wait to see your successful launch.
well.. next week in Dalzell SC. but i'm looking at the forecast.. and it's looking like rain..Nice! I'm about to start sanding the fins out to prep for some filler primer this afternoon.
Just personal preference, but I don't really get into filling the body tube windings. I know a lot of people like to see that perfectly smooth finish, but I'm weird and sorta like the thin lines in most BTs. That's not to say I didn't fill the windings on my Saturn V tho.....I mean, some models you HAVE to. ;-) But for me I think I'll just fill the coupler joint and then sand down whatever the filler primer fills in for this model. When are you hoping to launch yours?
thanks... looks like a small amount of rain next saturday.. so it'll be fun..!Thanks for the great thread here, and nice work. I have been watching closely, since I am yet another Zephyr builder aiming for certification who started at the same time as you.
The main differences I have taken are 1. filled tube spirals with Elmer's filler and sanded to 400 grit before fin attach (hoping this eases paint prep). 2. substituted a OneBadHawk kevlar harness for the kit's nylon. I had seen a LOC IV L1 cert. flight last fall with a nylon harness very closely scrutinized for heat damage by the certifier; there wasn't any but I wanted to minimize any concerns here. 3. Am considering adding a 3d printed nose cone Ebay . Waiting to hear from Jonathan at Inverted Pursuits if he has a 4" sleeve that fits the Zephyr cone, so this may be a later modification.
Good luck on your flight.
Tim
IMHO, epoxy is unnecessary unless you are planning to go supersonic or working with fiberglass tubes. With most cardboard tubes, the wood glue is stronger than the cardboard underneath plus more flexible (which is a good thing) and lighter than epoxy.
Agree. I have seen several fall apart after launching, especially when the rocket suddenly diverts probably due to a lost fin.not even then is epoxy required for the exact reason you gave! The glue is stronger then the tube you're bonding it to! I've taken tightbond only loc vulconite on a CTI J600 red to 1157 mph. I think that's well above mach by my calculations.
btw, I'm still flying the rocket!
Yes.. it is, and no... this is NOT a glue thread. And thank you for the flight success message..!This is a Level 1 build attempt right? or is it a glue thread in disguise? Looking forward for the OPs success.
Well... the DeLonghi AC/heater thought was good.. LOL but the unit couldn't keep up with all the humidity here in SC. the unit powered down sometime during night with the condenser water tank being full.
I'll check out the 'windy' app... thanks for that and your support for the L1 cert flight. btw: just sayin'... i do have the 2 G80's.. and also the H100W/DMS for the cert flight.That was quick! Thanks for letting us know how it worked out.
If you don't already have it, the Windy app is useful onsite. It defaults to surface wind, but you can select different altitudes to see what's happening around apogee height.
Here's hoping your G80/CR tests work well and you have a great cert flight!
Early this morning after doing probably waaay to much research over the last couple of weeks for my L1 Cert., i pulled the trigger on the Zephyr, H100 AT DMS, Jolly Logic Alt. 2, Jolly Logic Chute Release.
As for my second rocket, i was thinking of either the mega initiator w/ebay, or the peringuene Thoughts on that?
r-
Well plan A failed miserably, Plan B (Lasco bearly warmed out 4')... failed almost as bad as Plan A, so went with Plan C which is a parabolic oscillating fan. This baby cranks!Well... the DeLonghi AC/heater thought was good.. LOL but the unit couldn't keep up with all the humidity here in SC. the unit powered down sometime during night with the condenser water tank being full. when i checked this morning both the BT and NC were dry to the touch... but i know that the underlying paint is still curing. now i'll be looking at a space heater for my next build.
Later today when it heats up to 55, i'll hit the BT for the 2nd coat. the NC has 3 coats.. so thinking the NC is done.
Yesterday, i received my JL Altimeter 2, and Chute Release from Ken @ Performance Hobbies. So.. i'll get to test/play with the CR & Alt 2 somewhat prior to next Saturday.. and looking at the forecast.. i'll definitely need the CR on Saturday if flying... winds are projected at 17 to 19 mph. on sunday winds from 5 to 9 mph.
have a great sunday morning..
r-
2. substituted a OneBadHawk kevlar harness for the kit's nylon. I had seen a LOC IV L1 cert. flight last fall with a nylon harness very closely scrutinized for heat damage by the certifier; there wasn't any but I wanted to minimize any concerns here.
^^^ This, I have used blue painters tape with success, just make it wider and you’re good.I would include some type of anti-zipper method to keep the kevlar from cutting the cardboard tube. I had many launches on my Minnie Magg with the strap with no issues. On the second flight after switching to kevlar I got a zipper on a nominal DD flight. This could be something like a small cloth wrapped around the cord where it would contact the body tube and held in place with several layers of electrical tape.
I would
^^^ This, I have used blue painters tape with success, just make it wider and you’re good.
Heed the warning. Ziplining is a thing. Wish I had remembered to put a bit of blue tape on the Kevlar cord.
View attachment 623502
I have a lot of coupler material now...Kevlar can "Cuts like a Knife"...
I don't recall anyone pooing his FIRST choice which was the Zephyr. He asked for SECONDARY options and was given a few..... please rethink your first statement.I'm not sure why this thread went to other rockets. The OP selected the Zephyr for his L1 cert rocket which I think is an excellent choice. It's a little small for L1, but will work well on small H to large I motors. If it stays low enough on large I motors to fly on the OPs home field is something he will have to decide.
I just don't understand why people want to fly a MPR with a 29mm MMT for an L1 cert or a small L1 rocket with a 38mm MMT for an L2 cert and then not having a rocket to fly I or K motors on.
If you only want the cert and don't want to actually fly any motors in the cert range and want to save money, then those recommendations make some sense. If you do want to fly motors in your new cert range, then I don't understand why you wouldn't build a cert rocket that works well in the full range you are certing in at the field you fly on the most. L2 is a little different because of the large range of power. A 4", 10 lbs. rocket on a small J will be low and slow, but a mid L could put it well over 10,000 ft. so that's a range better handle by two or more rockets if you are east of the Mississippi.
Actually, he said "with this information i can ditch the second rocket" in post #3I don't recall anyone pooing his FIRST choice which was the Zephyr. He asked for SECONDARY options and was given a few..... please rethink your first statement.
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