MRN Idea Box TIP- From December 1966

Mojo 1986 was selling some older Estes Model Rocket News (MRNs) on Ebay.
For me, one of the most valuable pages was "The Idea Box".
I did some screen grabs and will feature some older ideas that still have some value today.

The Original Estes Copy:
"McLean, Va. is heard from as Steffan Parcells suggests a reel for the leads from the Electro-Launch to the Launch Controller.
The wire can either 1/8" welding rod or a piece of clothes hanger wire."

Enlarge the picture for a better view.

This as basically a cord wrap tool.
It is much better than just tightly wrapping the cord around the launch controller.
Launch lead wires are much thinner and more delicate now. This wrap tool makes an effective "strain relief" for the cable.
Most controller failures start when the wire breaks from flexing at the exit point at the top of the controller.

From an Ebay listing, here's an example of cables wrapped too tightly.
On the right side of the top four cases, the thin lead wire is bent sharply right out of the plastic casing. Chances are, some of the copper wire is already over flexed and broken.
I wouldn't bid on these! 


Here's how I wrap the lines.
At the top there is no strain on the lead line. The hole where the lead exits has a sharp enough edge that it could cut the cord.
The line leaves the controller straight up - not bent down at a 90 degree angle.

Take the extra moment to wrap your lead lines loose. Your controller will last much longer than just a few launches.