grimlock3000
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- Apr 12, 2004
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Last weekend I picked up a Alpha III Value Pack from Michael's that had the following:
Alpha III rocket (EX2 series)
Bandit rocket (EX2 series)
5x B6-4 engines + recovery wadding
Porta-Pad II + launch controller
The pack retails for $19.99, was on clearance for $12, and I had the 40% off coupon so I got everything for $7.20 Even though I have too many hobbies as it is, flying rockets seems like a pretty cheap way to keep myself busy and my wife seemed somewhat interested in it as well. After buying two kinds of glue and another hobby knife, I had spent just over $10 to build the two rockets. I have over $1000 into a couple RC cars and another $1000 into fish tanks so it is nice to not have a hobby that is not so spendy (yet). I had a good time putting the two rockets together, so I went out and looked for a slightly more challenging rocket to build. I found a hobby store a few towns over that had about 15 different Este's kits in stock.
I got an Este's Wizard (Level 1) which cost more than the other two rockets, five engines, and launch gear, it was $7.69 The package says it can make it up to 1500 feet, so I decided it would be fun. The Wizard was pretty easy to build as well, I realized I should have purchased something more complicated that took longer to build. Then I started looking around online and came across well, everything else that was not Este's. I spent a few hours reading at www.rocketreviews.com and searching around on this forum for general information. It really opened my eyes to how much rocket stuff is out there.
Now that I own three rockets that I had fun building, I suppose at some point I am going to go out and actually fly the things, but I want something else to build as well. All of my potential launch areas are roughly 400x400 feet and my area is usually windy since I live a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Getting the Wizard was a bad choice, I should have been looking into some larger/lower flying rockets instead of worrying about how high a rocket can go. I would bet money that I lose the Wizard the first time I launch it I think something like a FlisKits Praetor would be perfect and I would not have to worry so much about losing it.
Anyway, now the newbie questions...
What is the best type of glue to use? I currently have Elmer's Interior Carpenter's Wood Glue and Testors Red Plastice Model cement.
If there a cheap place to get a fin jig?
Can my current stand launch a Praetor or do I need a larger launch rod?
What are some good slow lift off low altitude rockets that are fun to build?
Anything I should know about the Este's pad and launch controller I have?
Thanks!
Alpha III rocket (EX2 series)
Bandit rocket (EX2 series)
5x B6-4 engines + recovery wadding
Porta-Pad II + launch controller
The pack retails for $19.99, was on clearance for $12, and I had the 40% off coupon so I got everything for $7.20 Even though I have too many hobbies as it is, flying rockets seems like a pretty cheap way to keep myself busy and my wife seemed somewhat interested in it as well. After buying two kinds of glue and another hobby knife, I had spent just over $10 to build the two rockets. I have over $1000 into a couple RC cars and another $1000 into fish tanks so it is nice to not have a hobby that is not so spendy (yet). I had a good time putting the two rockets together, so I went out and looked for a slightly more challenging rocket to build. I found a hobby store a few towns over that had about 15 different Este's kits in stock.
I got an Este's Wizard (Level 1) which cost more than the other two rockets, five engines, and launch gear, it was $7.69 The package says it can make it up to 1500 feet, so I decided it would be fun. The Wizard was pretty easy to build as well, I realized I should have purchased something more complicated that took longer to build. Then I started looking around online and came across well, everything else that was not Este's. I spent a few hours reading at www.rocketreviews.com and searching around on this forum for general information. It really opened my eyes to how much rocket stuff is out there.
Now that I own three rockets that I had fun building, I suppose at some point I am going to go out and actually fly the things, but I want something else to build as well. All of my potential launch areas are roughly 400x400 feet and my area is usually windy since I live a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Getting the Wizard was a bad choice, I should have been looking into some larger/lower flying rockets instead of worrying about how high a rocket can go. I would bet money that I lose the Wizard the first time I launch it I think something like a FlisKits Praetor would be perfect and I would not have to worry so much about losing it.
Anyway, now the newbie questions...
What is the best type of glue to use? I currently have Elmer's Interior Carpenter's Wood Glue and Testors Red Plastice Model cement.
If there a cheap place to get a fin jig?
Can my current stand launch a Praetor or do I need a larger launch rod?
What are some good slow lift off low altitude rockets that are fun to build?
Anything I should know about the Este's pad and launch controller I have?
Thanks!