Long long time ago, instructions never mentioned anything about beveling or air foiling any part of the fins. (Mostly Estes & Centuri, maybe a quest. To long to remember.)
Then came along you could bevel or round over the leading edge if you wanted to, but it wan't neccessary.
After that came, it's best to round over all "But" the Root Edge. Again, but not neccessary.
Along comes "you should always round off all edges but the root edge.
Then came, you need to double bevel all edges except the root edge and trailing edge.
About the same time comes along air foiling fins like airplane wings. Or long double tapers on all but the root edges.
I don't know about anyone one else. I did a few when I was 10 or so, in a hurry didn't give a crap...Just get it ready to fly.
Little bit later on, I started to take more time and started rounding edges.
Somewhere in all this upgrading fin edge upgrades came along the need to offset leading to root edge to get the rocket to spiral to track better. All I seen was a bunch of wobble.
So I was pretty dead set on double beveling all edges but the trailing and root edges. Now I have a developed a new problem I don't know the cure to.
I could never get the bevels on both sides of the fins at the same angle. So sanded this side, then that until they almost matched angles in the middle of the fin. So I ended up with fins, all of a little bit different size. Which didn't work out well like the making the rocket spiral.
For years I have just been beveling "One" side of the fins edges but the trailing and root edges.
For the most part, the fins remain the same size, along with the angles, the rocket ever so gently gets a very slow spiral counter clockwise and flights have been pretty straight. Except the one's like the Berthas that like to weather cock into the wind. Especially staging the SBB!
So I'm curious how many out there only bevel one edge, those that do double bevel, how do you keep the angles and fin size the same with the point in the middle of the fin; or just do a round over and don't worry about it? Or whom goes to the extreme of air foiling fins. Some kits are made for long double bevels, or single bevels. Even air foiling. But I mean on every build.
Now take in consideration all I've done since 1970 is LPR. That is why I am curious because the next few builds in line are going to MPR.
Mostly 29mm MM's. Maybe a 38mm MM. I have to find out what I can fly being a non-certified flyer, or even purchase. (Later questions on that)
Just wondering what everyone else does?
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and techniques.
Then came along you could bevel or round over the leading edge if you wanted to, but it wan't neccessary.
After that came, it's best to round over all "But" the Root Edge. Again, but not neccessary.
Along comes "you should always round off all edges but the root edge.
Then came, you need to double bevel all edges except the root edge and trailing edge.
About the same time comes along air foiling fins like airplane wings. Or long double tapers on all but the root edges.
I don't know about anyone one else. I did a few when I was 10 or so, in a hurry didn't give a crap...Just get it ready to fly.
Little bit later on, I started to take more time and started rounding edges.
Somewhere in all this upgrading fin edge upgrades came along the need to offset leading to root edge to get the rocket to spiral to track better. All I seen was a bunch of wobble.
So I was pretty dead set on double beveling all edges but the trailing and root edges. Now I have a developed a new problem I don't know the cure to.
I could never get the bevels on both sides of the fins at the same angle. So sanded this side, then that until they almost matched angles in the middle of the fin. So I ended up with fins, all of a little bit different size. Which didn't work out well like the making the rocket spiral.
For years I have just been beveling "One" side of the fins edges but the trailing and root edges.
For the most part, the fins remain the same size, along with the angles, the rocket ever so gently gets a very slow spiral counter clockwise and flights have been pretty straight. Except the one's like the Berthas that like to weather cock into the wind. Especially staging the SBB!
So I'm curious how many out there only bevel one edge, those that do double bevel, how do you keep the angles and fin size the same with the point in the middle of the fin; or just do a round over and don't worry about it? Or whom goes to the extreme of air foiling fins. Some kits are made for long double bevels, or single bevels. Even air foiling. But I mean on every build.
Now take in consideration all I've done since 1970 is LPR. That is why I am curious because the next few builds in line are going to MPR.
Mostly 29mm MM's. Maybe a 38mm MM. I have to find out what I can fly being a non-certified flyer, or even purchase. (Later questions on that)
Just wondering what everyone else does?
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and techniques.
Last edited: