rbeckey
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- Jul 18, 2012
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I found a way to mount shock cords in Estes type rockets that have been flown and need a new cord. I have several that were built prior to discovering this forum and kevlar mounts. I had remembered from the old days to put in lots of extra elastic, and generally thicker than Estes includes in a kit, but eventually they get scortched. Luckily I caught a couple that were almost fried BEFORE the last launch. I recall comments in previous threads about difficulty mounting new cords in used tubes due to smoky ejection residue in the tube.
What I did was use alcohol on a rag to scrub the loose stuff off the side of the tube, then wrap 220 grit sandpaper around a dowel rod and lightly sand the inside of the tube to roughen it.
I cut a piece of kevlar cord approx. 1/8 inch in diameter and layed it down the length of the tube where I had sanded, then ran polyurethane glue down the length of the cord, starting BELOW WHERE THE NOSE CONE SHOULDER will sit. Make sure the cord is wet all over with glue. Let the tube sit level as the glue cures and the cord will be secure.
I now mount cord in new kits this way also. I put in enough cord to extend past the end of the body tube, and at least two body tube lenghts of elastic. No Estes dent, and no sign of cord failure after many flights.
What I did was use alcohol on a rag to scrub the loose stuff off the side of the tube, then wrap 220 grit sandpaper around a dowel rod and lightly sand the inside of the tube to roughen it.
I cut a piece of kevlar cord approx. 1/8 inch in diameter and layed it down the length of the tube where I had sanded, then ran polyurethane glue down the length of the cord, starting BELOW WHERE THE NOSE CONE SHOULDER will sit. Make sure the cord is wet all over with glue. Let the tube sit level as the glue cures and the cord will be secure.
I now mount cord in new kits this way also. I put in enough cord to extend past the end of the body tube, and at least two body tube lenghts of elastic. No Estes dent, and no sign of cord failure after many flights.