The template PDFs from Jim Z's printed up full size when when checked against the printed ruler.
The larger ring was printed onto 115 lb. stock, cut out and traced onto framing mat stock. The center hole wasn't cut out.
Small thick rings are hard to cut out with a hobby knife. I used some heavy scissors. Just make them as round as you can.
Sand down the high spots using 220 grit on a block.
On the right is after sanding and rounding with the sanding block.
Six are needed, I had to throw out one.
They're not kit perfect, but will be fine on the clone build.
I stare in horror at the thought of hand-cutting all those rings. That is some true dedication and/or masochism.
ReplyDeleteHi Neil,
DeleteMasochism? No, just a retired guy with time on my hands.
This is one of the reasons I looked into buying a laser cutter. Trying to cut out centering rings and other items like that by hand never worked out really well for me. They always seemed a bit off. The laser makes it a lot easier and a lot more accurate.
ReplyDeleteHi Bob,
DeleteHand cut rings aren't perfect. I like a challenge and don't have the room for a laser cutter.
The one I got isn't very big, or expensive. It is an ACMER S1 with a 6W laser. Work area is 130 x 130mm. Overall size is 250 x 250mm (about 10-inches square). I got mine for about $130 six months ago, they went up about $30 since then. Here's a link to the laser on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/ACMER-S1-Engraver-Engraving-130x130mm/dp/B0FLQF1MDF.
DeleteAttach it to a dremel cut off wheel stem, then use a blade to cut it like a lathe?
ReplyDeleteI use a Cricut Maker 3 to cut centering rings out of mat board. Does nicely on vinyl decals as well.
ReplyDeleteFantastic step-by-step update on the Estes Strikefighter (Kit #2015) build! Precision-cutting cardstock centring rings and coupler reinforcements makes such a huge difference in structural integrity, ensuring those sleek futuristic forward-swept wings and intake pods hold up to high-impulse engine launches. When streaming high-bitrate model rocket build tutorials, scale aerospace modeling guides, or launch day vlogs on mobile devices, unexpected video buffering can interrupt your workshop assembly. Updating your setup with the xuper tv online helps keep video streams playing smoothly without random app crashes. Excellent modeling progress!
ReplyDeleteAwesome Part 2 installment on the classic Estes Strikefighter! Scratch-building custom cardstock rings or trimming down stock tube couplers requires a steady hand and a sharp hobby knife, but it’s what turns a basic kit build into a rock-solid flyer. Finding high-definition rocketry channels, live high-power launch streams, or scale model construction guides online can get frustrating when dealing with messy directories and broken links. Utilizing structured options like the ixuper tv gratis makes discovering organized video content and live media feeds so much easier for rocketry hobbyists. Loved reading this build log!
ReplyDeleteSolid rocket craftwork on Kit #2015! The Strikefighter is one of Estes' cool vintage military-style designs, and taking the extra time to double-butter your cardstock ring joints with wood glue creates clean fillets that absorb motor ejection charges. When watching detailed airbrushing tutorials or streaming rocket assembly guides on larger laptop displays or workbench screens while gluing components, maintaining proper video scaling is key. Setting up a reliable media environment via xuper tv for pc ensures the video player UI scales accurately across different display sizes without formatting glitches.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed reading your detailed guide on making cardstock rings for the Strikefighter! Crafting clean internal rings ensures proper motor tube alignment and keeps the recovery system deploying smoothly flight after flight. Whether rewatching classic model rocketry retrospectives or tuning into live broadcast aerospace news channels on the go, having a solid aggregated connection via xuper tv apk gives viewers a clean feed during peak hours without sudden buffering drops. Thank you for sharing Part 2 of this awesome build series!
ReplyDelete