Building The Beast
There really isn't a lot of effort involved for the starter kits. They
are designed to help you get to the launching stage as quickly as possible.
Some kits go together in as little as half an hour. Read the box, but
you'll likely need some wood glue and plastic model cement, a pair of
scissors and maybe some #240 sandpaper.
Take your time and do a good job. Test fit the pieces before getting glue-happy.
Watch the launch lugs if the bodytube has a full length decal.
Extra Touches
None of the following ideas are necessary, but using them may help you
avoid losing or damaging your rocket.
- Fin (non-plastic) Attachment
- Your choice of glue makes a big difference. The best glue for balsa or
fibre fins is the yellow wood glue, not the white variety. The strongest
method of gluing is to put a thin layer of glue on the bodytube and the
base of the fins (fin root) where each is to be joined and let them all dry.
Now apply another thin layer of glue to each fin and place it on the bodytube.
Check your fin spacing and alignment carefully before letting the joint dry.
Some people do all the fins at once, using a jig to hold them while they set.
I do one at a time and let each one set firmly before doing the next.
- If your fins do not fit into a slot in the bodytube and are to be glued to its
surface, sand the tube lightly and scuff up that waxy finish. Otherwise the
glue will not bond to the tube properly and your fins will pop off too easily.
Some advise painting the bodytube with primer first before gluing on the fins.
This would make it much easier to fill the spirals that wind around and up
the sides of the bodytube if you want a really slick looking rocket. But be
warned that if the primer isn't of good quality, it will just peel off the
bodytube, letting your fins go with it. If in doubt, glue first and smooth
later.
- Parachute Lines
- If your kit has a parachute, use duct tape squares instead of the stick-on
disks for fastening the lines to the parachute. I don't punch a hole through
the plastic either. Just tie a simple loop on the end of the line and put the
duct tape square (or circle) over it, then press firmly.
- Shock Cord
- Another gem of info is to also ditch the elastic cord that comes with Estes kits.
It's too short and too weak. Go get some light sewing elastic from a department
store and use a piece two to three times as long as the rocket.
Lastly - I seriously advise writing at least your phone number on the inside of
the nosecone and the bodytube, along with "Reward" if there's room. The career
of most rockets most likely comes to an end in parts unknown.
