MAC Performance VTS-6 build

[bobbyg23]

I have been wanting this rocket for a long time now and finally pulled the trigger. If you have never had a mac kit before, you are missing out. The fit and finish on these kits are amazing. Mike builds your kit after you order it. It comes with everything test fit to ensure it is all proper. The avbay comes preassembled also, not just a packet of hardware!! This is my 2nd mac kit and both were equally amazing right out of the box.

 

[bobbyg23]

First step is gluing the centering rings in place. The top one has a hole and pin to hold the shock cord in place. It is very solid and isn't going anywhere. The kit comes with a 6' kevlar shock cord. Enough to clear the booster and attach your shock cord of choice. Rough up the surfaces with 80 grit sand paper and apply epoxy.

 

[bobbyg23]

Once the 2 upper cr are glued in place, I send home the motor mount assy.

 

[bobbyg23]

Next for me was building the "pods" that go over the fins. I sanded the surfaces that were getting glued and used CA for this part. Tack them all together and get glue in every joint.

 

[bobbyg23]

After those dry it is onto the sanding. Lots of sanding.

 

[bobbyg23]

A little more sanding and a test fit.

 

[bobbyg23]

Next is was time to tack on the fins.

 

[bobbyg23]

Back to it after a quick 54mm Thor build. Doing fin fillets tonight. Not concerned about how these look as they will be covered by the pods.

 

[bobbyg23]

Got the pods glued on tonight.

 

[rfjustin]

Mike puts together a high quality kit, no doubt!

Enjoying the build...

 

[bobbyg23]

Fillets done.

 

[bobbyg23]

I was able to get a quick coat of primer on to see how much more work I have with filling and sanding. Not too bad. Couple gaps in the pods but that is to be expected.

 

[Bat-mite]

Looking great. Wish the pictures weren't so small.

 

[bobbyg23]

Looking great. Wish the pictures weren't so small.

Is that better? Made them big.

 

[bobbyg23]

Tried filler primer for the first time today. Works great but took the entire can.

 

[bobbyg23]

White on the fins.

 

[bobbyg23]

Tape the fins and paint.

 

[neil_w]

Is that better? Made them big.

Not sure what @Bat-mite's exact issue was, but *my* comment about image size would be this: the goal is not to embed them larger in each post, to have higher-res images available when you click. The originals of the pictures you've posted are undoubtedly much larger than what's pasted up there. Preferable, in some cases at least, is to paste in the full-res image from the camera, and then just use the thumbnail in your postings or size down the images in each posting as needed to fit and/or look good (your regular two-column grid there looks *very* nice I must say).

All that aside, I've started being choosy about which pictures I post at full-res on my build threads. The world doesn't need a 12-megapixel image of my fin-papering. But for finished rockets I try to post'em large.

Blah blah blah. Nice build, great rocket.

 

[bobbyg23]

Oh yeah baby!

 

[bobbyg23]

Decals on. Just need to add a bit off white paint to the tops of the pods.

My happy little Mac performance family.

 

[mtnmanak]

Did the decals come with the kit or did you have to order them separately? Can't tell from the product description on MAC's site.

 

[bobbyg23]

Did the decals come with the kit or did you have to order them separately? Can't tell from the product description on MAC's site.

Seperate. https://stickershock23.com/product/mac-performance-yaqm-127a/

 

[mtnmanak]

Seperate. https://stickershock23.com/product/mac-performance-yaqm-127a/

Thanks!!

 

[bobbyg23]

New and improved "pods". had a tiny accident with the original ones so I had to do some repairs. Now they are closed off so no air is rammed into them causing them to seperate.

 

[mtnmanak]

Nice job! Looks great!

 

[bobbyg23]

Nice job! Looks great!

Thanks. Probably get another K1275 to shove in it again.

 

[mtnmanak]

Thanks. Probably get another K1275 to shove in it again.

I am building one now - that is why I asked about the decals. For the life of me, I couldn't remember if they came with the kit and I just lost them (which, to be fair, was extremely likely!) or if I needed to order them. Looking forward to launching this rocket in the Spring!

 

[bobbyg23]

I am building one now - that is why I asked about the decals. For the life of me, I couldn't remember if they came with the kit and I just lost them (which, to be fair, was extremely likely!) or if I needed to order them. Looking forward to launching this rocket in the Spring!

I'm ordering another K1275 for this bird right now from Wildman. Nice and "cheap" today for their pre-black friday sale.

 

[mtnmanak]

I'm ordering another K1275 for this bird right now from Wildman. Nice and "cheap" today for their pre-black friday sale.

Very cool! Among the other motors I ordered, I grabbed one of the new and improved O5280X's. Hope to fire that one off at Red Glare

 

[Hobie1dog]

i must have missed it but where did you get the retainer/nozzle?