The black fish paper couplers are the older Estes and Centuri style.
The new brown coupler wouldn't even slide into a BT-60 tube!
When stacked you can see how much larger the brown coupler is.
From the top you can see the difference in the wall thickness.
A simple peel is started with the tip of my knife.
Don't take off too much, you can always go back and peel off more if it is still too thick.
Sand with 220 and check the fit.
Sand and check some more.
TIP: Most all the newer Estes RED COUPLERS need sanding for a slip fit.
If using the new Elmer's "Stronger Formula" white glue be ready.
Too many tight couplers have locked up before they are slid into their final position.
You are probably better off using epoxy for engine mount and coupler gluing.
On booster stages with red Estes couplers ...I take fine sandpaper and put a slice between the substainer BT and the red coupler ...coax them together and give em a spin and chew off some red paper that way ,while holding the paper still against the substainer BT with the grit facing the red coupler ,.....then i use powdered graphite to lube the joint for a free sliding fit...it burnishes into the BT and coupler and prevents any stray paint or glue from binding the stages ....kadee (trains) makes powdered graphite in a puffer tube for model train couplers.....(one of my other hobbies).....
ReplyDeleteI've done that before (slipping in a piece of sandpaper) but this brown coupler was so thick it would never fit between the two parts!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to try some powdered graphite. I've also applied CA then sanded it smooth for a sliding joint between coupler and body tube.