Interstage friction

[Videolester]

Just completing my Estes Loadstar II . A quick question re tension between the booster stage and the 2nd stage elements. How tight should the coupler be when the 2 stages are assembled? The "fit" of the coupler is VERY snug. How tight - or loose - should it be? Thanks for any help!

 

[JStarStar]

I'd say, just snug enough you can lift the whole thing (Gently) by the second stage and the booster won't fall off, but give it any kind of a shake and it's off.

You don't want it to be snug enough to delay separation when Stage 2 lights or your whole coupling area will be toast.

If it's "very tight," I'd give the stage coupler a couple passes with extra fine sandpaper.

 

[Videolester]

I'd say, just snug enough you can lift the whole thing (Gently) by the second stage and the booster won't fall off, but give it any kind of a shake and it's off.

You don't want it to be snug enough to delay separation when Stage 2 lights or your whole coupling area will be toast.

If it's "very tight," I'd give the stage coupler a couple passes with extra fine sandpaper.

If you sand the part, can you sand and then "treat" it with something so as not to end up with a somewhat "fuzzy" coupler?

 

[Charles_McG]

If you sand the part, can you sand and then "treat" it with something so as not to end up with a somewhat "fuzzy" coupler?

I'd do the other order - seal with CA, then sand to be better fit. I've done that on BT55 and BT70 size rockets.

 

[kuririn]

Just completing my Estes Loadstar II . A quick question re tension between the booster stage and the 2nd stage elements. How tight should the coupler be when the 2 stages are assembled? The "fit" of the coupler is VERY snug. How tight - or loose - should it be? Thanks for any help!

See post #15 on this thread by JumpJet, aka John Boren, chief designer at Estes.
https://www.rocketryforum.com/threa...and-dirty-staging-design.136856/#post-1630500

If you sand the part, can you sand and then "treat" it with something so as not to end up with a somewhat "fuzzy" coupler?

I've known people who have used thin CA on a coupler after sanding to get a smooth fit. In fact, that's what this master modeler just did yesterday:
https://modelrocketbuilding.blogspo...eedle-build-part-5-coupling.html#comment-form

 

[Videolester]

See post #15 on this thread by JumpJet, aka John Boren, chief designer at Estes.

I've known people who have used thin CA on a coupler after sanding to get a smooth fit. In fact, that what this master modeler just did yesterday:
https://modelrocketbuilding.blogspo...eedle-build-part-5-coupling.html#comment-form

GREAT TIP !! Thanks for this !

 

[kuririn]

I forgot to post the link to JumpJet's post. Edited my post to include it. Cheers.