Stiletto Upscale Build Thread

[OKTurbo]

I've started my next project. It's going to be an 4x upscale of the Estes Stiletto kit from the late 70's, early 80's.

I've gathered up most of the parts. At least enough to get started. I'll still need to decide what to do on the recovery system.

I started with pdf files of the original Estes kit. I'm sure these came from JimZ's website. The original size was BT50...I'm going with LOC 4" tubes for the upscale. Work out the scaling factor and draw things up in AutoCAD. This will have a 54mm motor mount. Print out the dimensioned plans and get the parts ordered.

 

[OKTurbo]

Here are the parts. The nose cone is a FW Fiberglass one from Madcow. I bought it during the holiday sales last year. Tubes etc are LOC precision. Vinyl from Stickershock. Dual Deploy using RRC2 from MissileWorks.

 

[OKTurbo]

Printed out the full scale fin outlines. Cut out of 1/4" lite ply using my pull saw. I've posted a video of how I use the pull saw. Just sharing the technique I use. I'm kinda old school...use mostly hand tools when I build. The Japanese style pull saw works excellent.

 

[OKTurbo]

Video on how I use the pull saw to cut out fins.

 

[OKTurbo]

Now for your next episode of ‘Building Stuff with OKTurbo’! This one is on Rocket Fins....

 

[OKTurbo]

If you’re reading this and you didn’t watch the last video, I’ve laminated carbon fiber onto the 1/4 ply fins. The edges cleaned up nicely with my sanding block. I have quite a few dry spots / pits on the surface. I think I’ll mix up some epoxy, add a little filler to thicken it and try to smooth out the rough spots. Not tonight....too dang hot in the shop.

 

[neil_w]

Video on how I use the pull saw to cut out fins.

Nice straightforward video. I enjoy the no-power-tools building process LPR, glad to see others work that way too, even for larger stuff.

 

[OKTurbo]

Fixing the dry spots. Thin layer of epoxy, lay on the Mylar and roll it smooth. See how it looks tomorrow.

 

[OKTurbo]

Repair turned out good.

 

[OKTurbo]

Current state...tubes cut and ends soaked in CA. Coupler and switch band cut too. Conical nosecones are cool....just sayin’

 

[Nytrunner]

Whats this? Those fins aren't as long as your body tube this time! Thats a little off brand for you isnt it?

Lol, its coming along well, looking forward to seeing the end result

 

[OKTurbo]

I’ve been busy getting my 1/3rd scale Iris ready to maiden, so this got moved off the table....but this did come in the mail today. 1x5”-6”tall aluminum transition cone. Need to figure out how to make this into a tailcone....

 

[OKTurbo]

Instead of trimming down this aluminum cone, I may actually polish it up and use it to mold a fiberglass tail cone. Hmmm. What should I do?

 

[OKTurbo]

Trying my hand at making a fiberglass tailcone.

 

[OKTurbo]

Still needs some trimming, but it looks like a nozzle. Now how to attach it?

 

[OKTurbo]

I got out in the shop and worked on the Stiletto before the weather got too hot. Here’s the progress.

Fin slots cut. Detail rings cut. And everything dry fit...with pics of course.

The old balsa stripper works great at cutting bands of tube.

 

[OKTurbo]

Dry fit.



Still need to figure out what to do with motor retention and nozzle mounting.

 

[neil_w]

The old balsa stripper works great at cutting bands of tube.

Wait, am I the only one who’s never heard of those before?

 

[OKTurbo]

Handy tool. I’ve had it for decades. Nice for making strips of balsa from sheets for my free flight airplanes.

 

[OKTurbo]

MMT and main fins are epoxied in and curing. I had to do a little notching on the small forward fins. With the motor tube pulled aft for the tail cone/nozzle, the fwd end of tube with centering ring is right in the middle of the fins.

 

[Mugs914]

Wait, am I the only one who’s never heard of those before?

Worse than that...

I've had two of those things in my box of tricks for at least 15 years and it never ONCE occurred to me to cut tubes with them.

Feeling a little stupid at this point...

 

[Greg Furtman]

Worse than that...

I've had two of those things in my box of tricks for at least 15 years and it never ONCE occurred to me to cut tubes with them.

Feeling a little stupid at this point...

@Mugs914 Don't feel bad. I didn't know that they even exist.

 

[jqavins]

Wait, am I the only one who’s never heard of those before?

No you're not. And now I want one. There are similar wood and leather working tools I have seen; I should have thought of changing out the scribe in a marking gauge (I have two) for a razor or X-Acto blade.

 

[OKTurbo]

Video update. How I use the balsa stripper tool...

 

[OKTurbo]

Current state...adding details. I’ll glue the little thrusters on after the conduit piece dries.

 

[OKTurbo]

Fillet time. I’ve never tried RocketPoxy, but West Six10 has worked good for me.

 

[OKTurbo]

It’s in the ‘gonna look worse before it looks better’ stage.

My new hobby is ‘sanding’.

 

[OKTurbo]

1st coat of primer is on.

 

[K'Tesh]

Looks Good!!! How is it that I missed this thread? Oh, yeah... Summer classes.

 

[OKTurbo]

Doesn’t look like it, but I’m making progress.