I use YouTube videos quite often. I've learned how to patch drywall, replace a faucet and even strum a Ukulele.
I have to give credit to anyone who takes the time to film, edit and post a good video.
Problem is, everybody has a phone or camera that shoots video. Too many instructional videos have mistakes! You've got to go through 10 videos to find someone who knows what they are talking about.
If you want to waste a few frustrating minutes, go to YouTube and do a search for: How To Build A Model Rocket. You'll find yourself wincing and saying "NO!" out loud.
After you watch a few videos you realize why first timers have problems with a successful first flight and recovery at a club launch. Chances are, these kids have built a rocket after watching a YouTube video! Wrong information can lead to frustration and too many giving up on the hobby.
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The first line of copy is something seen or said on the how-to video.
The statements in Italic are my snarky responses.
One video used Gorilla Glue in assembly.
Oh yeah! That'll make it stronger! Don’t use an expanding glue (like Gorilla Glue) to build a model rocket. Use white or yellow glue for LPR model rocket assembly.
Another video showed using Elmer's white glue to attach the plastic nose cone shoulder base. (See above picture)
That might explain separations and lost nose cones at club launches.
Videos show the use a pen to mark fin and launch lug locations.
Ink will bleed through any sprayed finish. Use a pencil, pencil lines are covered by paint.
Like the video shows, use your teeth to tear open the small parts bag.
Like the video shows, use your teeth to tear open the small parts bag.
That's how a rocket scientist would do it.
“Just punch the wings out from the sheet.”
Trust me, use a knife so the card stock won’t tear and the balsa won’t chip.
“Tie the rubber band to the nose cone with a double knot.”
Unless it is a square knot (or other type of locking or cinching knot) double knot ties will slip. Connection to the nose cone can be a square knot, not a “Granny”.
“They have it (nose cone base) detached in shipping because they want you to tie the rubber band to it first.”
Whaaat? Not in any instructions I've seen. The NC base is glued in first, then the shock cord is tied on.
Put the glue on the body tube instead of the root edge of the fin.
Sure, that'll give you more control over glue runs.
Some quotes:
"Blow on the glue, that’ll make it dry faster."
"Use a hot glue gun to attach the fins."
“You gotta’ use hot glue.(from a glue gun) If you use any other kind of glue it’s just not gonna’ work.”
“Be generous with the glue”. (More glue, the better the rocket!)
“Be generous with the glue”. (More glue, the better the rocket!)
More coming in the next post -
Whenever I'm feeling too relaxed, or just generally at-ease with the world, I like to visit Youtube to watch an Estes Alpha being assembled solely with a Hot Glue Gun. It helps me to maintain the state of generalized panic that my friends and acquaintances have grown accustomed to!
ReplyDeleteHi Overeasy,
DeleteLater in the video the builder says: If there is any extra glue or drips, they can be rubbed and picked off with a fingernail."
If you can pop the glue blobs off the body tube - the hot glue isn't adhering the pieces together!
I appreciate the Brazen Nonsense of the Youtube Hero and his Hot Glue Gun. I enjoy the the dissonance created by a gentleman that never bothered reading the given Instructions, offering instruction.
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIXdx_uUhqA
ReplyDelete(at around 2:30 "... and use plenty of glue ...")
Hi Naoto,
DeleteAnd they used plenty of white School Glue on that Alpha!
note around 5:22 how fins are being glued (don't know if that's a Big Bertha -- if so, the fins are being put on the wrong way).
Deleteat least at 5:14 you see pencil being used to mark fin position on body tube...
at around 11:27 note the Gyroc with the fin flaps already deployed during launch.
DeleteAt around 8:53 we see igniter being inserted. The leads are being bent prior to being inserted into nozzle -- if I'm not mistaken, you're supposed to insert the igniter into nozzle until it makes contact with the propellant *then* bend the leads.
DeleteThe igniter seems to be the "Solar igniter" type (not the older type that was the length of Nicrhome that you needed to snip apart into three pieces) -- If I'm not mistaken, you're supposed to leave the tape in place. This is to prevent problem where you could "pinch" the leads together, resulting in short near the tip.
Hi Naoto,
DeletePretty surprising to find that many questionable images in an Estes produced video. I've watched it in the past and noticed some things that should have been re-shot.
I watch a lot of build videos, but half of them make me scream.
ReplyDeleteIf you read the instructions for the original Gorilla Glue, you find that both items to be joined must be wet, a really bad plan for paper and balsa assembly!
ReplyDeleteHi Paul,
DeleteThat's part of the problem, too many don't read the directions! I've only used original formula Gorilla Glue for lead shot nose weight in a plastic nose cone. Drop in the weight, add Gorilla Glue and a few drops of water. It expands and locks in the weight pretty well!