Sunday, June 26, 2016

Estes Interceptor Build #1250, Part 13, Parachute Fix Tips

After a good tug, the shroud lines on the pre-assembled parachute seemed pretty strong.
The reinforcement disks were peeling off! They also tore easily telling me they were paper.
The disks will be replaced with Avery plastic disks.
I didn't want to replace the shroud lines. There is a way to work around them.



Cut a line through one side of a plastic disk.
The inset picture shows how the disk will sit with the cut facing away from the shroud line.

Fold over the parachute corner and open up the shroud line loop at the tie.
Slip the cut ring through the open loop being careful not to touch the sticky back to the plastic chute. It's a little tricky but can be done.
It may take a few tries to get the disk into position. In the end this takes much less time than tying on new shroud lines.




It's hard to see in the picture but the cut ring line is to the center, opposite any stress of the shroud line pulling on the parachute.

3 comments:

  1. That's brilliant! I could have rescued many a shroud line with that tip :^)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Lonnie,
      This was one of those: "Let it sit for a few days and maybe I'll come up with a fix" things. Simple is usually the best way to go.

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