Scratch-Bash? Well, this project started out as a test bed for sugar motors. As the build progressed using BT-80 tubes and couplers, I liked it so much I morphed it into a missile-like rocket. Being that it was originally designed as a test bed, the motor mount is my own design that allows complete removal of the motor holder leaving only the thrust ring in the body tube. Had a design urge and made a tail cone using a foam block sanded/turned on a mini-lathe I put together using a cordless drill and length of straight rod. I used old dryer sheets as a base over the foam and epoxy coated it. After much sanding I decided it looked good enough. (Keep in mind this is my first scratch build after a 40-year break from the hobby!)
I had some scrap balsa triangles and epoxied them onto the tube because they looked cool. I added rail buttons along the way too. The result was a ~46 inch long, 17 ounce, 24mm motor mount rocket:
After a failed recovery ejection at around 650' it lawn-darted in the tall grass. The upper 3/4 of it were crushed but the rear fin/motor area survived.
Good parts means a rebuild is in order!
I converted to a 29mm motor mount and added an Apogee deployment device from Eggtimer.
A few other mods include adding 5 reinforcing bamboo skewers spaced around the inside of the motor mount area for vertical structural support. The section above that (where I had to cut the middle tube off for replacement) got 4 skewer reinforcements. The section above that (above the separation) got 3 short ones. On top of the short ones is a payload fence to keep the recovery contents at the top. All-up weight w/o motor is 18.9 oz. I plan to use an F32, F52, G53 and if it survives those, a G64. I also use a Jolly Logic and a drogue chute due to the winds down here near the Cape.
It now looks like this:
Some of the mods:
I had some scrap balsa triangles and epoxied them onto the tube because they looked cool. I added rail buttons along the way too. The result was a ~46 inch long, 17 ounce, 24mm motor mount rocket:
After a failed recovery ejection at around 650' it lawn-darted in the tall grass. The upper 3/4 of it were crushed but the rear fin/motor area survived.
Good parts means a rebuild is in order!
I converted to a 29mm motor mount and added an Apogee deployment device from Eggtimer.
A few other mods include adding 5 reinforcing bamboo skewers spaced around the inside of the motor mount area for vertical structural support. The section above that (where I had to cut the middle tube off for replacement) got 4 skewer reinforcements. The section above that (above the separation) got 3 short ones. On top of the short ones is a payload fence to keep the recovery contents at the top. All-up weight w/o motor is 18.9 oz. I plan to use an F32, F52, G53 and if it survives those, a G64. I also use a Jolly Logic and a drogue chute due to the winds down here near the Cape.
It now looks like this:
Some of the mods:
