Estes QCC Explorer Build Part 14, DIY Payload Section Coupler

The upper 8" of the rocket are a second, coupled tube. This makes for an easier color separation, don't glue the two tube sections together until after painting.
Anytime I see a model with a second body tube section I look for a way to make it into a payload section.
The red coupler will glue into the 8" section of tubing. The lower half of the coupler will slide into the longer, lower body tube.

Trace around a BT-60 tube onto some heavy cardstock.
Draw two circles.

Even though the card stock is thick I can still make a rough cut with scissors. Cut just inside the pencil lines, the circles will have to slide into the BT-60.
Glue the two disks together and let dry in a heavy book.

For a reinforcement ring I cut a 3/4' length of scrap BT-60 coupler.
Make a straight split cut through it and slip into the red coupler from the kit.

Mark the overlap and cut off the strip.

The reinforcement ring is glued flush inside the end of the red coupler.
The inset picture shows a dry fit (no glue yet) of the laminated disks after sanding the sides until it fits.