Does anyone have this template? I lost it.
Chuck- pm Stealth6-pretty sure he still has one or several iterations.Does anyone have this template? I lost it.
Hopefully it works, courtesy of the Internet Wayback Machine....
This is the spreadsheet that produces the patterns based on rocket weight.
Does anyone have any more information on the type of chute this would be for? I'm picturing a sort of X form with the flats pulled in to points? A picture or drawing of a completed one perhaps? I've been planning on building a couple of larger chutes and can't decide on a style. This older thread caught my eye and after looking at the Excel file I'm finding it intriguing. I do realize it's an old thread and I've searched for hours for more info with nothing but crickets. Thanks in advance for any info...
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LOL I couldn't find it directly on the Wayback Machine, so I googled "vatsaas brothers" and a hit from TRF came up, a post by chuck with the link to the home pageThanks for the link. I tried for hours and came up empty handed...
Any opinions on material choice? I really like working with 1.1oz ripstop but I've never used such large pieces for a single panel. Assuming it would be best to cut them on the bias, would 1.1oz have the necessary strength for a 40lb recovery weight? Seems like most of the manufacturers use 1.9oz for this style of chute. Is that mainly done for strength due to large panels or is it more due to economics? Packing area should not be a concern, mainly mass and the fact that the lighter weight cloth seems to open/fill/pack more easily...
I'm a seasoned pro at losing virtually everything. No need to explain. Have you tried making one yet? I figured I'd give it a shot by making a small (20"?) drogue. Made some scaled graph paper out of dollar store poster board, "sketched" the patterns and cut the pieces out of some scrap ripstop. Very first move I made was to sew 2 of the straight sides together, then I took the time to actually look at the diagram. After scrapping those, I cut 2 more and made a feeble attempt at sewing the (correct, this time) radiused sides together. Turns out it's really F'n hard to sew a doubled up seam with that tight of a curve. Flipped it over and looked at the crazy/crooked/puckered/bunched up lumpy mess and put everything in a bin in the garage. I suspect it'd be much easier with some lighter weight material. One of these days I'll pick up some more 1.1oz. and re-visit it. If anyone has success with one please post pics and pointers....
Does anyone know where the best place is to buy the soft ripstop nylon? I went to JoAnn fabrics the other day and all they had was the heavy stiff kind...not good.
Flymarket kites iirc is fairly priced as well, and they carry the very lightweight thin mill nylons like .75oz which makes for a very small packing chute.I'll post pics of my first attempt tonight when I get home. It's a royal pain in the butt to wrap your head around the pattern, and after a year of staring at it, I'm still not sure that I did it right.
Ripstopbytheroll is the ONLY place to get nice ripstop that's NOT at crazy sport parachute prices. Just be aware that when you look at their website, you're likely to be overwhelmed by choices initially!
Flymarket kites iirc is fairly priced as well, and they carry the very lightweight thin mill nylons like .75oz which makes for a very small packing chute.
https://www.flymarketkites.com/
I drew one up for a 3lb rocket at 250' ASL (forgetting I'm moving to the York, VA area where I'll be, what, 12' above sea level?).
I had to dicker with Excel to get my grids the correct size (2.25"), and when I print from Excel, the grids are correct, but if I convert it to a PDF, the grids are short (by 1/8") in the vertical axis.
Anyway, I'm gonna cut some ripstop to shape and send it all to my cousin, who is a former costume designer/seamstress and have her give it a go.
I'd post the template here, but the forum won't take an Excel file (.xlxs). If anyone want's a copy of my Excel file, drop me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll send it to you.
It wont take the .xlxs but it will iirc take .xls the older format.
That type of ripstop is used a lot in kite building. We never like it for chutes.Stiff & crinkly sounds like maybe Cuben to me?
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