Estes Solar Sailer II, Kit # 2044, Step 9, Tri-Fold Mount TIPS

Sure, I could have tied a Kevlar line, but it would have been very long to reach through the long body! I've brought up tri-fold mounts before - This post is really for those who might not know the inside tips.

   

I cut the mount out of 65 lb. stock, much stronger than the typical 20 lb. instruction sheet print.

Mark a pencil line at an angle down the middle area. The trick to a FLAT Mount is not laying the shock cord directly over itself when folding over the paper.

Set a light line of glue down the pencil line.

Set the shock cord onto the glue and let dry.

Lay a thin skin of glue over just the top section of the mount. Notice the reflection showing how little glue is used. Be sure you have complete coverage over all the first section - from side to side and top to bottom.

Fold, press and burnish over the entire section. If you applied a thin "skin" of glue on the upper section it doesn't take long to dry.

Repeat with the thin film of glue on the middle section. 

Fold over and burnish.

Notice the impression of the shock cord folded over in a "V". The completed mount will end up flatter than if the two thicknesses of elastic were right on top of each other. 

On the right - In the soft heel of my hand, I'm rolling a (inside body tube) curve before the mount sets up.