Nose cone

[Adityaram]

guys what are some of your ideas in making a nose cone from scratch?

 

[Funkworks]

I think many will say something along the lines of: "budget for a lathe". In the meantime, one can get wax paper and superglue and roll paper.

But I've built less than 20 rockets, so I'll let others take over the advice-giving.

 

[neil_w]

Lathe, 3D-printing, or a series of stacked transitions using cardstock (see the Cardstock Rocketry subforum for some good examples). Or carve it out of foam and then glass the whole thing.

 

[PhilC]

I use a 3D printer to make mine. It gives lots of options for getting the shape and strength right. For payload carriers it can be useful to pack some objects inside the nosecone, for example batteries, giving them good protection and moving the CG forward.

 

[Hobie1dog]

3D printer

 

[tsmith1315]

What size nose cone and what kind of tools do you have to work with?

 

[cls]

I tried to use a drill press instead of a lathe. The results with styrofoam, balsa, and pine blocks were all disappointing.

 

[Adityaram]

is it ok if we make the nose cone from cardboad?

 

[Handeman]

is it ok if we make the nose cone from cardboad?

Sure. But depending on how big and fast the rocket is, it may need reinforcement, from minor to significant.
A google search will give you lots of ways to make nosecones.

 

[David Schwantz]

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/12-foam-nc.162415/

 

[lakeroadster]

is it ok if we make the nose cone from cardboad?

 

[Ez2cDave]

guys what are some of your ideas in making a nose cone from scratch?

"SORAC" . . . ( attached below )

Dave F.

 

[Greg Furtman]

I fly LPRs and I make my nosecones on a wood lathe that has a NOVA wood chuck. I've made nosecones out of balsa, basswood, cedar, sitka, redwood, etc. If the design calls for weight in the nosecone I'll just use a denser wood.

 

[David Schwantz]

Hi Greg, those are super nice!! I have a small wood lathe also. What is a Nova wood chuck?

 

[lakeroadster]

Hi Greg, those are super nice!! I have a small wood lathe also. What is a Nova wood chuck?

It's a chuck that screws to the headstock of the wood lathe. Amazon Link

It makes securing the material a breeze.

 

[David Schwantz]

I got one of them, just different brand. Thought Greg had something special.

 

[Greg Furtman]

Hi Greg, those are super nice!! I have a small wood lathe also. What is a Nova wood chuck?

Yup, @lakeroadster nailed it. In fact he's the one that turned me on to the NOVA. I wish I had bought one years ago.

 

[lakeroadster]

Yup, @lakeroadster nailed it. In fact he's the one that turned me on to the NOVA. I wish I had bought one years ago.

I just love Nova's..