Reference / Paper · 2016
Peak of Flight #424: How to Adapt a 3-16in Down to Fit a 1-8in rod
Apogee Components' Peak of Flight newsletter, issue 424 (2016-08-23).
- peak-of-flight
- apogee-components
- model-rocketry
Reference / Paper · 2016
Apogee Components' Peak of Flight newsletter, issue 424 (2016-08-23).
Apogee Components' Peak of Flight newsletter, issue 424 (2016-08-23).
ISSUE 424 AUGUST 23rd 2016 IN THIS ISSUE Model Rocket Tips: Part 1 https://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket_Kits/Skill_Level_4_Kits/Rotary_Revolution Model Rocket Tips: Part 1 By Chris Michielssen Tim asked me to put together two articles made up of Tips from my Model Rocket Building Blog. If you follow the blog, some of these tips might look familiar. Who knows, you might pick up something new or be reminded of an idea you haven’t thought of for a while. Years ago Estes sent out the Model Rocket News to its active customers. I always looked forward to seeing “The Idea Box” page (Figure 1). Rocketeers from around the country sent in their building and launching tips. I still use some of those ideas today. Here’s a few new updated ideas that never quite made it to the pages of the out of proFigure 1: The Idea Box newsletter duction Model Rocket News. 3/16” to 1/8” LAUNCH ROD ADAPTER I have a few BT-60 rockets outfitted with 24mm engine mounts and 3/16” launch lugs. For schoolyard launches I could fly these models with 18mm B and C engines off my smaller 1/8” launch rod. About this Newsletter You can subscribe to receive this e-zine FREE at the Apogee Components website www.ApogeeComponents.com, or by clicking the link here Newsletter Sign-Up Page 2 Figure 2: 3/16” to 1/8” launch rod adapter You can make a simple 1/8” launch rod adapter by simply friction fitting a 1/8” launch lug into the 3/16” lug with a few wraps of masking tape (Figure 2). The 1/8” lug doesn’t have to fit in too tightly, use just enough tape so it is pressed in place with moderate resistance. After flight you can remove the smaller lug with a 3/16” dowel. Figure 3: Extra wadding protection EXTRA WADDING PROTECTION Parachute wadding has always been a gamble. Everybody gets melted spots now and then. For a little more insurance against a melted chute, wrap a smaller wadding square around the lower end of your rolled parachute. Note this is a smaller square of wadding, cut down from a standard 4 1/2” square. You’ll Newsletter Staff Continued on page 3 Writer: Chris Michielssen Layout/Cover Artist: Chris Duran Proofreader: Michelle Mason Issue 424 | August 23rd, 2016 Model Rocket Tips: Part 1 Continued from page 2 want a piece about 3 1/4” square so it’ll peel away from the parachute at ejection. A full size wadding square might stay wrapped around the chute and prevent it from opening (Figure 3, Page 2). patterns on a scale model like a Mercury Redstone. TRI-FOLD MOUNT TIP A finished Estes Tri-Fold shock cord mount is bulky, especially in BT-5, 20 or 50 sized tubes. HIDING STICKER The tri-fold can block WRAP OVERLAP a smooth ejection of When your sport your parachute or model has peel and streamer. stick wraps, plan Years ago Estes ahead. recommended gluStart and finish ing the shock cord at your wraps in line Figure 6: Flatten a tri-fold shock an angle down the with the launch lug cord mount by gluing the shock cardstock mount. (Figures 4 & 5). cord at an angle Gluing the shock Figure 4: Using the launch lug to Sometimes the ends cord as shown will result in a flatter mount (Figstart your sticker wrap of printed patterns ure 6). By the last fold, the shock cord ends up won’t match up. When your rocket is sitting on side by side and spread out over the inside body the launcher, the launch rod will hide any misstube wall. matched wrap. The pre-flight pictures you take won’t show the seam or the bad wrap! LINING UP DECALS DOWN A BODY TUBE The same thing goes for water slide decals. You can line Start the roll patterns on the back side (launch lug up a vertical side) of the rocket. This wouldn’t apply to the roll decal straight down the body tube using the same aluminum angle used to draw Figure 7: Use an aluminum angle to align fin gluing your decals lines. Apply a wet decal then, lightly set the angle over the decal’s printed baseline (Figure 7). Set the angle down gently; water-slide decals are delicate and can be scratched or torn. Continued on page 4 Figure 5: Another example of using the launch lug to align your wrap and hide potential overlap Page 3 Issue 424 | August 23rd, 2016 Model Rocket Tips: Part 1 Continued from page 3 PULLING UP MASKING TAPE After spraying the second color coat, lift masking tape by slowly pulling it off at an angle as shown (Figure 8). The Figure 8: Peel tape at an angle tape is lifted by pulling it back, folded over itself and away from the mask line. I use clear Scotch Tape for masking, a tip picked up in an earlier issue of the Peak Of Flight (https://www.apogeerockets. com/education/downloads/Newsletter281.pdf). Clean, sharp mask lines are possible only over well filled, smooth surfaces. A BETTER SHOCK CORD KNOT I’ve been looking for a better Kevlar to elastic knot for some time. Simply joining the two lines with an tight overhand knot (Quest style) can put tight bends and more stress on the cords. The step by step images (Figure 9) show how to join two overhand loop knots. The interlocking loops spread out the stress at ejection and make for easier replacement if needed. Many instructions recommend using glue to “set” a knot. However, a well tied and correct knot shouldn’t come undone or loosen by itself. Never, ever use CA or Super Glues on a knot. The capillary action of thin CA glue will run up the line which will harden it and make the cords brittle. 1 2 3 5 4 6 Figure 9: Step by step directions showing how to join two overhand loop knots CLEANING UP PAINT OVERSPRAY Even with careful masking, you can still end up with some over-spray. Before the paint has fully dried and set, you can remove the unwanted paint with the new Mr. Clean style Magic Erasers (Figure 10, Page 5). Wet the eraser and squeeze out the excess water. Lightly rub the over-spray paint to remove it. Take it slow, the eraser might also remove some of the first color underneath. The second picture shows the before and after results. I’ve also used Goo Gone to remove paint overContinued on page 5 https://www.apogeerockets.com/TARC_Supplies Page 4 Issue 424 | August 23rd, 2016 Model Rocket Tips: Part 1 Continued from page 4 spray. The Goo Gone is a stronger solvent than the Magic Eraser so use caution. About The Author: Chris Michielssen is an avid builder and flyer of low power model rockets. He produces Odd’l Rockets and accessories, available from Apogee Rockets. His building blog: www.modelrocketbuilding. blogspot.com is followed by 700 people each day worldwide. You get: (4) AT 29/13 (4) AT 41/18 (2) AT 56/18 (2) AT 66/18 (1) AC-56 (1) AC-66 You get: (6) AT 13/18 (6) AT 18/18 (6) AT 24/18 (6) AT 33/18 Figure 10: Use a Magic Eraser to clean up overspray www.ApogeeRockets.com/Building_Supplies/Body_Tubes Star Lift Mega Lander Build It - Launch It - Stick The Landing The Excitement Builds All The Way To Touchdown • Large Size Rocket Flies on the Impressive Mid-Power Motors. • Articulating Lander Legs Fold Up During Launch. • Laser Cut Plywood Parts for a Strong Rocket. • Pre-Slotted Tube Makes Construction Easier. • Vinyl Decal for Visual Appeal. https://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket_Kits/Skill_Level_5_Kits/Star_Lift_Mega_Lander Page 5 Issue 424 | August 23rd, 2016