Estes Plasma Probe Build Part 6 Adapting the Adapter

The plastic adapter shoulder extends 1 1/2" into the lower BT-55 tube. The engine mount extends 1" out the back.
Enlarge the picture to see the pencil lines showing the empty space available inside. 
This lower BT-55 tube is only 6" long. With the engine mount and adapter in place, there is only 2 3/4" of open space for the wadding and parachute. I'd prefer a little more room.

I decided to cut off the eyelet end off the wide BT-55 end of the adapter. There is already a recessed line for cutting on the adapter.
This opens up the adapter for shock cord and even some parachute storage.

The shock cord (I'm substituting 36" of elastic for the rubber band supplied in the kit) will be tied at the shoulder of the smaller BT-50 end.


Three holes were drilled with a small rat tail diamond file.
These holes were just large enough for the elastic to pass through.

Be sure there are no sharp edges on the holes that might wear on the elastic.

The elastic was fed through from the bottom (the wide end) and through on side hole.
It was looped through the eyelet and tied with three overhand knots.

The loose end was fed into the remaining open hole on the right side.