Stiletto Upscale Build Thread

The Rocketry Forum

Help Support The Rocketry Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

OKTurbo

Well-Known Member
TRF Supporter
Joined
Feb 19, 2009
Messages
1,769
Reaction score
1,018
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.
IMG_0611.JPGIMG_0612.JPGIMG_0610.JPGIMG_0614.JPG
 
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.
IMG_0613.JPGIMG_0617.JPGIMG_0618.JPG
 
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.
IMG_0615.JPGIMG_0616.JPGIMG_0620.JPGIMG_0621.JPGIMG_0623.JPG
 
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.
D76B758D-D135-4C0E-A6C4-5E34B06A6202.jpegEE10AF20-B077-4B9E-900C-C3FE13BDCBFE.jpeg62069186-36BC-4AC3-A984-22733579B6BF.jpeg
 
Fixing the dry spots. Thin layer of epoxy, lay on the Mylar and roll it smooth. See how it looks tomorrow.

B4DBF3F2-94C6-4844-9DB9-5B4751EA614C.jpeg
 
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
 
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....
4BA7D45B-8620-447C-819E-4EA3DD57DBCF.jpeg15844AAF-E29B-4AEB-BC2D-9EEF0D9C3D79.jpeg
 
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?
 
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.
F5548063-7886-4E94-93F5-12E60886C428.jpeg24BFE275-71B0-4061-A259-579579E1D08B.jpeg
The old balsa stripper works great at cutting bands of tube.
BAD9185E-1E9C-48D9-814E-A5E6BF43903F.jpegDF828127-0A7B-4FD0-ADBA-785FA1720CA3.jpegD985288B-1C64-4CF7-8725-DC29407F7DB8.jpeg
 
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.
CE0DF5C7-625D-4ECF-8A69-2C20DD69C03A.jpeg74CB2590-1C84-4C39-B5C8-ABA7AC6E0ACB.jpeg021E0292-6B00-4A66-9F43-212128DC5495.jpegD6F43BB2-7EC2-4CEC-A5F3-BA61A40AA691.jpeg5A87AB97-9706-426F-B078-E4586CFEC754.jpeg
 
Last edited:
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.
 
Fillet time. I’ve never tried RocketPoxy, but West Six10 has worked good for me.


5CA8D531-C279-4627-BF86-D8D456B6E548.jpeg
1F1E724D-6DB0-48D7-A940-FDF84B411AE8.jpeg
 

Attachments

  • 688A84A9-1EC4-4734-B5B4-0BEF0F17CFC6.jpeg
    688A84A9-1EC4-4734-B5B4-0BEF0F17CFC6.jpeg
    192.7 KB · Views: 18
Last edited:
Back
Top