pjbatglen
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2003
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Hello,
After reading past threads about cloning old kit, I decided to try it for myself. I have decided to build the Estes Andromeda kit. I remember building and flying this rocket when I was a youngen back in the late 70s.
The fist thing I did was download the instructions from JimZ site (great site). After ordering a supply of tubes from Totally Tubular, I cut them all down to size. I also cut out the fins and the dowel standoffs. See attachment.
I was progressing rather nicely when I made a rookie mistake. I was supposed to use a split ring in the back to accommodate the engine hook so I cut a complete ring but when I assembled the rear unit it collapsed the back tub and the engine would not fit. So I decided to use a complete ring and assembled and glued the rear unit.
Big mistake. I had the ring to the very rear and then I realized that could not pull the hook back far enough to insert the hook. So I decided to cut off the back four inches and reassemble the unit correctly and attach it with a coupler to the front section.
Well it did not work. When I put the slightest toque on the hook it flexes at the coupler where I joined the two sections together.
I guess that I will have to cut the rear section off at the original length of 18 inches and use one solid tube. I can do this with no problem, I have plenty of tube. But is there any thing that I could do that is not so drastic?
After reading past threads about cloning old kit, I decided to try it for myself. I have decided to build the Estes Andromeda kit. I remember building and flying this rocket when I was a youngen back in the late 70s.
The fist thing I did was download the instructions from JimZ site (great site). After ordering a supply of tubes from Totally Tubular, I cut them all down to size. I also cut out the fins and the dowel standoffs. See attachment.
I was progressing rather nicely when I made a rookie mistake. I was supposed to use a split ring in the back to accommodate the engine hook so I cut a complete ring but when I assembled the rear unit it collapsed the back tub and the engine would not fit. So I decided to use a complete ring and assembled and glued the rear unit.
Big mistake. I had the ring to the very rear and then I realized that could not pull the hook back far enough to insert the hook. So I decided to cut off the back four inches and reassemble the unit correctly and attach it with a coupler to the front section.
Well it did not work. When I put the slightest toque on the hook it flexes at the coupler where I joined the two sections together.
I guess that I will have to cut the rear section off at the original length of 18 inches and use one solid tube. I can do this with no problem, I have plenty of tube. But is there any thing that I could do that is not so drastic?