Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Estes Reflector Lil' Hustler Version Finished













I actually like this version better than the stock Estes Reflector! It reminds me more of the Centuri designs.
The payload section on the Reflector wasn't practical with the long shoulders. This payload section is a little long but will better fit an altimeter.

8 comments:

  1. Chris, Did you make a second decal for the Lil' Hustler? Do you have that available for download? ;-)

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  2. No, I didn't draw up a new decal. It was the same one that came with kit.
    The Lil' Hustler was made from the second Reflector kit with a longer payload tube.

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  3. One more question if you don't mind...

    Do you prep the balsa wood nosecone and transitions with CWA or is just spray sand-able primer enough?

    Thanks for replying so quickly, I'm just finishing up what you did in part 5 of the reflector build. Slow and steady...

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  4. Hi Scott,
    My balsa filling process is really three steps.
    I brush on CWF and sand almost to surface with 400 grit.
    I spray on a single fairly heavy coat Duplicolor Primer/Filler and sand that almost down to the CWF.
    A White undercoat follows with some wet sanding with 400 grit.
    Then the color coats follow.

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  5. I feel like the kid who alwasy asks,"why?", but,

    Do you have a process for cleaning out your Easy Touch Hand Sander when replacing the sanding paper. I find it leaves some stickum behind and it's tricky to remove all of it, even with a razor scrapper. The gunk gets on the blade quickly then it just dosent work well.

    Thanks again,

    Scott.

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  6. I'm thinking nail polish remover, but not sure if over time it would react with aluminum.

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  7. I'd recommend using some Goo-Gone. It's a citrus based cleaner.

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  8. We'll I couldn't wait to go shopping or a delivery, so looking around the house I found easy off oven cleaner. Since ovens are metal I thought it would be safe. I sprayed a bit on waited 20 minutes and wiped off with paper towel. The stickum came off like butter. And no discoloration on the towel that would tell me it was reacting.

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