[BProckets] homemade rocket body material sources and techniques

[Mike Harris]

At 10:03 AM 11/5/2004, Dan Durachko wrote:

>Questions:
>
>
>
>1)       What are good web or book resources for constructing rocket bodies?

ROL and it's companion INFO-Central


>2)       At what point need I be concerned about high g forces on launch 
>shredding my rockets and is this ultimately an empirical determination?

Exceeding .85 mach as the pressures rise rapidly from there; also watch fin 
flutter if you start pushing that limit.


>3)       What techniques are used to prep paper/cardboard tubes for final 
>painting?  (Some of my salvaged tubes have rather unattractive grooves in 
>them due to their spiral wound nature.  I may wish to fill them in and 
>paint over them sometime.)

Use PML QT tubing; you just paint it. www.publicmissiles.com


>4)       What are the currently favored types of wadding to protect the 
>chute, etc.?

Kevlar, Nomex, and the like chute protectors if you don't want to litter; 
otherwise the fireproofed cellulose insulation; a lifetime supply for $10 . 
Go ahead and use kevlar for the shock cord too, or at least for the leader 
out of the rocket body.


>5)       What are some sources of nosecones?  (I'll ultimately make some 
>on my own from balsa and fiberglass and things like those eggs pantyhose 
>come in but assume there are lots of sources I haven't yet thought of.)

 From whomever you bought the BT from; theirs will match their BT


>6)       Is there a quick and dirty way to calculate how much delay I 
>should build into my engines for a particular design so that I don't pop 
>the chute WAY too early or WAY too late?

Buy a MAD kit; they're very cool and there is never any fuss about delay 
charges.


>7)       Feel free to chime in with any other guidelines you may think I 
>should be made aware of.  (Shock cord info, fin geometry, etc.)

Don't use 5 minute epoxy ! Kevlar shock cord, though it must be long / 
longer. Use positive motor retention

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