Friday, April 11, 2014

Quest X-15 Build, Part 5, Loose Nose Cone Fix

The X-15 nose cone was very loose in the 35mm tube.
In a smaller diameter tube I would just add a few wraps of masking tape around the nose cone shoulder.
This larger tube will get a card stock shim in the top end of the body tube. This thin shim won't block the ejection of the parachute.
A piece of 67 lb. card stock was cut to around 1" high X 4 1/8" wide.
I came across the width after a few dry test fits.

A glue stick was used on one side of the card stock piece.
This was pressed into the body tube, rolled flat in place with a dowel.

A little of the card stock extended beyond the top lip of the tube.

After the glue stick dried, some medium CA glue was applied around the top end to harden the card stock for easier sanding.
The extended wrap was sanded even with the tube with 400 grit on a block.

The inset picture shows the fit I was looking for.
The nose cone won't fall out of the tube under its own weight.

EDIT: April 13, 2014 -
I've flown the X-15 twice now. It's the Spring and Florida humidity is really kicking in.
This interior card stock shim seems to swell in the damp air and the nose cone felt tight at yesterdays launch.
Humidity can make body tubes swell a little anyway, but this card stock shim really seemed to draw in the moisture.
I'd recommend a light seal of CA glue then sand and polish the hardened card stock with 400 grit.
The picture above shows just the lip of the card stock getting the CA coat. Extend the glue coat down inside the entire length of the card stock.

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