J350W is a good choice, if you have a little more cash, a J275 is a great motor (I believe they are $65 now). It burns a little longer and is gentler than the 350, so your rocket will really cruise. It also has a little more total newton seconds, so that'll help with altitude.
I think as long as you don't fly with any of the higher thrust 54s (eg J800T, K1100T, K550W, K700W, K1275R), you should be all right without tip to tip glassing. If the tubes aren't glassed, I'd stay away from those motors anyways. (Ask Kermie about the punch of a K motor )
Glasswise, if you can get it, a tighter weave or a satin weave makes finish really easy. They usually sell this stuff at the hobby shop. Loose weave stuff is cheaper, and you can find it at the hardware store, but is a pain in the butt to finish without the proper materials. You can glass with 15 minute stuff (thin it with alcohol to allow it to work into the cloth), but I'd recommend going with 20 minute finishing resin, or if you have the money, West System or Aeropoxy. The latter are professional laminating resins with superior strength to hobby shop epoxy, and are very thin and easy to work with in fiberglass, Kevlar, and carbon fiber situations.
Hope this helps! Post more pics!
I think as long as you don't fly with any of the higher thrust 54s (eg J800T, K1100T, K550W, K700W, K1275R), you should be all right without tip to tip glassing. If the tubes aren't glassed, I'd stay away from those motors anyways. (Ask Kermie about the punch of a K motor )
Glasswise, if you can get it, a tighter weave or a satin weave makes finish really easy. They usually sell this stuff at the hobby shop. Loose weave stuff is cheaper, and you can find it at the hardware store, but is a pain in the butt to finish without the proper materials. You can glass with 15 minute stuff (thin it with alcohol to allow it to work into the cloth), but I'd recommend going with 20 minute finishing resin, or if you have the money, West System or Aeropoxy. The latter are professional laminating resins with superior strength to hobby shop epoxy, and are very thin and easy to work with in fiberglass, Kevlar, and carbon fiber situations.
Hope this helps! Post more pics!