Macme shrew nose cone problem

[gravityzap]

I bought a Fliskits Macme Shrew a few months ago, and recently the nose cone has been degrading. I believe the issue is being caused by the oils of clay in the nose breaking down the paper.

The clay is visible in this image as red spots amid the silver paint job.

I also get silver paint on my hands whenever I touch the nose.

To anyone reading this, how should I go about fixing the problem?

 

[ep29030]

Is the nosecone paper? I’d be tempted to put a drop or two of thin CA on the nosecone to harden it. My second thought is to cut a piece of typing paper to shape, over the top of existing nosecone, then harden it with thin CA. You need something on your nosecone that will seal the paper against the clay’s oils. Either thin CA, or Minwax Wood Hardener, or Sanding sealer.

 

[gravityzap]

Is the nosecone paper? I’d be tempted to put a drop or two of thin CA on the nosecone to harden it. My second thought is to cut a piece of typing paper to shape, over the top of existing nosecone, then harden it with thin CA. You need something on your nosecone that will seal the paper against the clay’s oils. Either thin CA, or Minwax Wood Hardener, or Sanding sealer.

It's 24LB paper.

 

[gravityzap]

One idea I had was printing out the nose pattern and incorporating the nose weight differently, such as a slug of epoxy and lead shot.

Is it possible to print the nose pattern?

 

[ep29030]

Yes, it can be printed if you have the pattern. Otherwise, you will need to tinker with a small piece of paper to develop your own pattern. Thin paper is easier to use to make the pattern, then transfer it to 24# paper. It is not a “normal” nosecone shape, but you might use Open Rocket or RocSim to print a conical nosecone pattern to start the tinkering process.

 

[ep29030]

And epoxy+ weight is a better idea than more clay. At least the epoxy will set and you won’t get seepage into the paper.

 

[gravityzap]

Yes, it can be printed if you have the pattern. Otherwise, you will need to tinker with a small piece of paper to develop your own pattern. Thin paper is easier to use to make the pattern, then transfer it to 24# paper. It is not a “normal” nosecone shape, but you might use Open Rocket or RocSim to print a conical nosecone pattern to start the tinkering process.

Is the pattern available?

 

[ep29030]

I mean the decals or fin scans on Jim Z website for each rocket. Those are scans of originals. Use those to make scale models.

 

[jflis]

Gravity, drop me a note and I can get the pattern to you…