Reference / Paper · 2016
Peak of Flight #425: Clearing Super Glue Nozzles
Apogee Components' Peak of Flight newsletter, issue 425 (2016-09-06).
- peak-of-flight
- apogee-components
- model-rocketry
Reference / Paper · 2016
Apogee Components' Peak of Flight newsletter, issue 425 (2016-09-06).
Apogee Components' Peak of Flight newsletter, issue 425 (2016-09-06).
ISSUE 425 September 6th 2016 IN THIS ISSUE Model Rocket Tips: Part 2 www.ApogeeRockets.com/Rocket-Kits/Skill-Level-3-Model-Rocket-Kits/AeroDactyl-TS Model Rocket Tips: Part 2 By Chris Michielssen In the first tips article I mentioned The Idea Box Page in the old Estes Model Rocket News. You would think these ideas were more current. The aluminum angle fin marking tip shown here (Figure 1) dates back to 1965! DOWEL CUTTING Don’t just roll your knife blade over a dowel to cut it in two. You’ll end up with a spiral cut runFigure 2: Methods for cleaning out your ning down the super glue nozzle dowel (Figure 3). Instead, try rolling ½ turn forward, then one full turn back (Figure 4A, Page 3). The first part of the back roll has the blade in the first half cut notch you made. Go slow with the blade at a ninety degree angle to the dowel. After you’ve cut 2/3rds the way through, the dowel can be broken Figure 1: Aluminum angle marking tip by wiggling it back and forth down the cut line And on the rocketry forums it seems everybody (Figure 4B, Page 3). Smooth out and square off is papering fins. Estes introduced that in The Idea the cut with a few passes of a sanding block. Box 47 years ago! Here’s more tips reprinted from my model rocket building blog: CLEARING SUPER GLUE NOZZLES Super Glue (CA Glue) nozzle tips often get clogged when the trapped glue dries. After using the glue, hold the bottle upright, surrounded and covered with a paper towel. Squeeze the bottle to blow the glue out of the tip.If glue is dried in the nozzle you can sometimes knock it out with an unwound guitar “B” string (Figure 2). Additional tip - For longer usable life, keep your super glue bottle in the refrigerator. Be sure you stand or wedge the glue bottle securely so it can’t fall over and leak as the door is opened and closed. 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 3: What to avoid when cutting your dowel STRAIGHTER DECAL APPLICATION It’s hard to visually align a decal on a fin with angled trailing fins. I stack up CD boxes until I reach the area of the decal baseline.Vertical decals can be aligned by setting a CD case on its side or by using a ruler that can stand on its edge (Figure 5, Page 3). Check some of your older, finished models. You might be surprised to find the decals aren’t quite straight. Newsletter Staff Continued on page 3 Writer: Chris Michielssen Layout/Cover Artist: Chris Duran Proofreader: Michelle Mason Issue 425 | September 6th, 2016 Model Rocket Tips: Part 2 Continued from page 2 Roll 1/2 forward Then roll all the way back A Break clean after you’re 2/3 the way through Figure 5: Using a ruler or stacked up CD cases to check if your fin decals are level Continued on page 4 Need Rail Buttons And Stand-Offs? B Figure 4 (A&B): How to cut a clean edge on your dowel www.apogeerockets.com/Building_Supplies/Launch_Lugs_Rail_Buttons/Rail_Buttons https://www.apogeerockets.com/TARC_Supplies Page 3 Issue 425 | September 6th, 2016 Model Rocket Tips: Part 2 Continued from page 3 ENGINE DESIGNATION MARKING Here’s one I picked up at a NEFAR launch from Bill Gibson. I’m surprised I never did this years ago. Sometimes models are prepped a few days before a club launch. By the time launch day rolls around weather conditions could change and different engines may have to be switched out. By marking the igniter retaining paper I know what engine is in the rocket without removing it. This is especially valuable if the engine is friction fitted. In the first picture, the engine is obviously a B6-4 (Figure 6A). The “E” lets me know it is an Estes engine. The “X” means wadding has been installed. In the second picture I was using an older style Quest igniter. The 1/4” of exposed engine casing was marked with the engine designation (Figure 6B). At your next club launch the RSO (Range Safety Officer) will appreciate the few seconds it takes to mark and identify the engine used. A Figure 7: Swap the nozzle on your wood glue bottle MORE CONTROL GLUE NOZZLE TIPS The nozzle tips that come on Titebond glue bottles are wide and dispense too much glue for most rocket building. Save your smaller, orange Elmer’s glue nozzle tips and replace the Titebond bottle toppers (Figure 7). The screw on shoulder threads are the same on both bottles. Continued on page 5 B Figure 6 (A&B): Labeling your igniters/engines for quick reference www.apogeerockets.com/RockSim/RockSim_Information www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket-Kits/Skill-Level-2-Model-Rocket-Kits/SkyMetra Page 4 Issue 425 | September 6th, 2016 Model Rocket Tips: Part 2 Continued from page 4 Minimum Diameter Motor Retainers! Apogee is your one stop shop for your minimum diameter rockets projects! • Fly High • Fly Fast • Impress Your We Have: • Minimum Diameter Retainers • Motor Extenders • Threaded Forward Closures • Adapters for Cesaroni Cases Friends! www.ApogeeRockets.com/Building_Supplies/Motor_Retainers_Hooks You get: (4) AT 29/13 (4) AT 41/18 (2) AT 56/18 (2) AT 66/18 (1) AC-56 (1) AC-66 Figure 8: Gluing an internal fillet INTERNAL FILLETS When gluing together a Centuri style baffle, there’s not much gluing surface on the thin edge of a coupler. First, sand the coupler edge flat. When the coupler tubes are cut they are actually at an angle. Lay your glue bead with most of the glue to the inside of the coupler. Set the flat baffle disk on the coupler and turn the disk (Figure 8). This smooths out the glue bead making a more even internal fillet. Continued on page 6 You get: (6) AT 13/18 (6) AT 18/18 (6) AT 24/18 (6) AT 33/18 www.ApogeeRockets.com/Building_Supplies/Body_Tubes www.ApogeeRockets.com/Building_Supplies/Parachutes_Recovery_Equipment/Parachutes Page 5 Issue 425 | September 6th, 2016 Model Rocket Tips: Part 2 Continued from page 5 TYING SHROUD LINES ON SEMROC PARACHUTES Face it, most people hate assembling parachutes. The Semroc chute disks are especially difficult. You’ll find it easier to hold and tie the shroud lines using pliers or long tweezers. If you use your fingers, the oils on your skin will diminish the adhesive on the disk. You can hold the sticky disk on the tip of your knife. It’s also easier to place the disk on the parachute corner while it is still on the tip of the knife blade (Figure 9). Continued on page 7 Dollar for dollar, you’ll see the most results by advertising in the Peak-of-Flight Newsletter. In fact, I guarantee it. If you don’t see more results from your advertisement in the Peakof-Flight Newsletter, I’ll run your advertisement for two more issues at NO COST! Call us at: (719) 535-9335 Figure 9: Use pliers and a hobby knife to aid in the assembly Gyro Chaser Helicopter Rocket • Unique ‘transforming’ rocket - looks like a normal rocket, but then rotor blades pop out at ejection • Competition efficiency: high flights and long descent time • Features curved rotor blades and free-spinning hub, just like those used in international competitions • Versatile: can use any 18mm diameter motor • Comes with video instructions for error-free assembly www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket_Kits/Skill_Level_4_Kits/Gyro_Chaser Page 6 Issue 425 | September 6th, 2016 Model Rocket Tips: Part 2 Continued from page 6 SPRAY PAINT DECALS Sometimes you have a very small area to mask and paint. On my Tomahawk rocket there was a very thin band of tan paint going around the nose cone. Instead of intricate masking, its easier to make a spray paint decal. The decal ends up being about the same thickness as masked spray paint would normally be. Take a new sheet of white decal paper. The white base paper will act as a white undercoat to the color you’ll be spraying over it. I usually mask off an area wider than the final piece I’ll need. Spray on the color using light coats. Let the paint totally dry. You won’t have to use a clear coat on this, since the spray paint won’t run like the ink on a home printed decal. Cut the pieces to the size you’ll need before soaking. Just like a water slide decal, soak, slide and transfer onto your model. The last picture shows the thin, tan wrap around spray paint decal right above the brown band on the nose cone (Figure 10). 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. Figure 10: Use spray paint on decal paper and place it on the finished rocket Electronics Hardware Installation Kit Think of the convenience of getting everything to professionally install your dual-deployment or other electronic payload into a e-bay of your rocket! Includes: nylon standoffs, screws & nuts, wire, push-switch, drill & tap, ejection charge cannisters, barrier strips, wire ties, and step-bystep DVD instructions. https://www.apogeerockets.com/Electronics_Payloads/Electronics_Accessories/Electronics_Mounting_Kit Page 7 Issue 425 | September 6th, 2016