Just So You Know . . .

I'm aware that the blog page format is screwed up again.

Thanks for letting me know by email - 

I have written and complained. 

Let's hope it is a quick fix.

New Blog Edit Format

The older I get, the more I think: 

"Why couldn't they leave it the way it was. It worked pretty well before!"

I just spent an hour trying to get one blog post into draft form. 

Just when you think you've figured out a work-around, you end up deleting everything. 

If this keeps up, the blog will go away! I'm that pissed. It's not worth the frustration.

In a September 15 comment, Ed Mitton wrote:

"Also, photos are difficult to move around between lines of text. This is inconvenient if you put a photo in the wrong place and need to correct it. You pretty much have to delete it, place your cursor where the photo is supposed to go, and re-insert it.

There is definitely a learning curve.

I much prefer the old format that featured much more flexibility."

Before . . . 

You could drop in four or more pictures. Size the pictures, 

then set them left, right or center. Click your cursor to the side of each picture and type to your hearts content!

Not now!

I've sent my third letter of complaint. 

Blog readers can't add comments or do a search for previous builds.

Annual Blog Letter

About once a year I have to post some ground rules for the blog. As it continues to grow, some things can get out of hand.
These suggestions aren't meant to discourage any blog readers.

I don't want this blog to turn into a forum.
When a builder posts a question on a hobby forum, the original post gets too many answers. Many could be wrong, suggested by builders with very little rocketry experience.
So please don't offer advice to a question posed in a comment.

I do read and respond to blog comments. I will also delete anything that is out of line, including spam. You'd be amazed how many spam comments include sneaky website links.

Everybody has their own way to do things. Don't tell me I've done it wrong! I make errors and will post them. Hopefully, my mistake could save you some frustration on your next build.
If you think your methods are better, please start your own blog. I follow four other rocketry blogs.

I pick out model builds I feel would be interesting. I have built rockets that were requested in the comments, a suggested build is coming up! I can't always do this, especially if a model is out of production. OOP kits are expensive and not interesting if nobody else can find the same kit for a reasonable price.
If an out of production kit is featured, I might offer decals and templates so you can build one yourself from currently available parts. There are exceptions, once in a while I'll find something different on Ebay and share it here.

I realize some posts may have repeat information. How many different ways can you assemble a 20/50 engine mount? There are always new readers who may not know. I learn best through repetition, especially when things are drilled in.

I can (and do) answer build questions by email, if I've had experience with the kit in question. But, please understand, I can't be a "pen pal". In the past a few have wanted me to walk them through an entire build through multiple emails. 

Please do not post vendor links and sources in the comment section. It's better to email me with a product I may not be aware of. If it turns out to be of interest, I always give name credit to the person who suggested it. The blog is not here to sell products for anybody else. Vendors occasionally send me kits to build. I'll feature new products if they are interesting to the LPR builder. I will occasionally mention my own line of kits. Unless I am contracted to do a build or draw up kit instructions, the only money I receive from the blog is from advertisements and Patreon donations.

EDIT: If you copy a picture of a finished model from this blog, please give photo credit! In the past a few vendors have copied a finished build picture, then pasted it on their website to sell kits. That's the reason I have to put the blog name on a finished picture. I don't build models to make money for somebody else.

The blog was started as a record of my builds. The goal was to share techniques for better built, better performing model rockets. I don't claim to have all the answers, I'm still learning! If someone picks up an idea or tip, it's all worthwhile.

Thanks for reading the blog!

Mosquito Problems?

I check the blog comments everyday and respond if there is a question.
Sometimes spam ads come up in the comments. They are usually sneaky, they give you a generic compliment like: "Thanks for sharing this information, very informative!" This is followed by a link in blue: "Air Conditioning Filters" 
The spam ads sometimes have some indirect relation to the blog post.

Today I found a comment after a post on the Estes Mini Mosquito.

"Work so well. Drives away all the mosquitoes in seconds. Mosquito Repellant India"

Delete, delete, delete . . .

What Decides?

I've been asked this before - who decides what model gets built on the blog?

There's a LOT of factors here.
1. I check the build pile. Usually I'll build two at the same time, one to keep and one I might sell on Ebay.
2. Sometimes I receive a build kit from a client. If it is interesting to the readers I'll do the build on the blog after getting permission from the customer.
3. The build might have some historical significance. It could be a re-issued kit. I try to build things that are still available for sale. Building a Centuri/Estes 1/100 scale Saturn 1B would be more valuable to the readers if they could still buy the kit for a reasonable price and build along with the blog.
4. Kit bashes are great when made from all those Estes clearance kits.
5. Sometimes a build might be one of my Odd'l Rockets kits.
6. I have done posts about launchers, controllers and older accessories. You never know what might show up on Ebay or a garage sale.
7. If I go to a club launch, I'll do a post highlighting interesting models. I've had club members ask if I'll post a picture of their RTF or ARTF rockets. The blog is about model rocket building. There isn't much interest in a Ready To Fly rocket for a builder.
8. Someday I'll win an auction for a Vashon Valkyrie 2, the first rocket I ever owned in 1969. Ebay prices go higher than I'll ever pay. It'll be built on the blog and shared with readers. (You gotta' have dreams!)

How many posts per day?
I would like to do two posts per day, with an average of four pictures per post. Picture in picture are actually two pictures. If a post has the equivalent of six pictures there may only be one post that day. All photographs are cropped and edited for brightness and contrast. New blog headers take an hour or so to put together.

Time is a big factor. Right now Model rocketry is my full time job. I take time each day for blog posts, email correspondence, model building, kit design and production.

That 1090 Tubing?

The "Coming Soon" kit, the Airwaker, has that interesting, thick walled 1090 body tube.

In the comments section, Anonymous said:
"About the tubing....that's likely HBT-1090, which Estes used in the early/mid 90's in a buttload of E2Xish rockets."
BAR Geezer added:
"After further research it appears that Anonymous is right re: the HBT-1090 tube. Used in the Dragonite. Specs are 1.1 in. (28 mm) also. Probably of Chinese manufacture."

The only experience I've had with the 1090 tube was on the MK-109 Stingray build: CLICK HERE
This tubing has been used in the MK-109 Stingray, Dragonite, AGM 58X Heatseeker and others.
The TTW fin and launch lug attachment slots are punched, not laser cut.
Maybe the standard thickness walled tube couldn't be used in the punch process?

Comments on Over Building

Over-building can be overkill in L.P.R.

On a Facebook post I saw a video of a builder using a steel fishing leader being slid through a replaceable (rear centering ring / straw feed) Kevlar mount. This was in a Low Power Rocket.

Why is a steel line in a replaceable mount? You might be better off slipping the steel end loop under the upper bend of the engine hook. A steel leader will never have to be checked or replaced for that matter - it won't degrade or melt.
The purpose of the replaceable Kevlar mount is to check the line after 10 flights or so and replace it if needed. You can't replace a Kevlar line that is tied inside, under the forward centering ring.

In his photo example, the top of the steel line extended a few inches beyond the top end of the body tube. That's a zipper waiting to happen.

To see how a replaceable Kevlar line works, check out the article I wrote in the Apogee Peak Of Flight. https://www.apogeerockets.com/education/downloads/Newsletter338.pdf
As far as I know, I came up with the idea back in 2013. I'd hate to see the technique used incorrectly.

Steel leaders have been used for years, Centuri pre-installed them in the engine mounts of the old Mini-Max line of kits. At the time, a Mini-Max F was considered high power. Currently, North Coast Rocketry uses a steel leader in their MPR kits.

Bulletproof rockets?
Forum posts have shown some people fiber glassing LPR body tubes and fins. There is no reason for this, unless you are practicing for a much larger, faster model.
"Papering" is one way to strengthen fins. Just don't add too much weight to the back end of your model, it might end up unstable.
Years back when a C engine was the limit everybody was more concerned with weight and a higher altitude. Now weight isn't as critical, most people fly for sport.
Estes kits now use a very stiff wood for their fins. Papering isn't really necessary for strength. Many builders paper their fins rather than fill the wood grain.

Don't misunderstand - I build my LPR models strong enough to last many flights, but I don't over build. I use epoxy when needed, I paper fins on occasion. But, that's about it.

Spam Comments

Occasionally I get Spam in the comments.
These rarely have anything to do with a rocket build. They try to sneak in by saying: " I really enjoy your posts!"
Then they follow with a web address link that has nothing to do with rocketry.
Here's one I deleted from yesterday:

Roman lesnarMay 11, 2016 at 4:00 AM

This was a really great contest and hopefully I can attend the next one. It was alot of fun and I really enjoyed myself......Rhinoplasty Malaysianose job menrevision rhinoplasty

ReplyDelete

What contest? Could it have been a recent club launch? Then I read the links.

The web links (in blue) all relate to plastic surgery, specifically nose jobs.
Maybe I've done too many posts on NOSE cones?
Don't click on anything - Delete, delete, delete!

The links copied above aren't linked to anything, I just made them blue.

A Comment About Starter Igniters

A comment from the blog post "Question About "Starter" Igniters" from June 9, 2014

To see the original post: CLICK HERE

ScottSeptember 12, 2015 at 9:46 PM

We had some problems with the new igniters, but it appeared that the real issue was not the igniter, but the amount of current being supplied. When we switched from using the 9 V Estes get to a 12 V car battery, no problem at all. Igniters fired every time.

My response:
Hi Scott,
I agree, more power will give faster ignition with any igniter.
How many existing older 6 volt controllers are out there and now being used with the new clear Starter igniters? I wonder if a BAR gets out their old rockets and controllers, buy new engines (with Starters) and can't get ignition. The once-in-a-while flyer shouldn't have to lug a 12 volt battery to the field.
I am currently testing Estes Starter and Quest MMX (bare wire) Igniters with Quick Dip pyrogen with good results. A nail polish coat helps but it's not as effective as a pyrogen dip.

Wrong! Rant

Sometimes I cringe when watching rocket construction videos on YouTube. There's a LOT of interesting information out there.

I rarely post on the forums anymore. My posts were sometimes followed by somebody saying I'm doing it wrong. That's one reason I started the blog.
On rocket forums I usually only post now complimenting a great build or some rocket trivia or history.
After 45 years of rocket building and flying I'm still trying to figure it all out. These blog builds are just how I build rockets. Do what works best for you.

Some forum and video posts are produced by inexperienced modelers.
I've got to give the video builders credit though. They have taken a lot of time to shoot, edit and post their work.
But that's part of the problem - too much information and too many cooks.
On the other hand, I wish this much information was available to me when I was first starting out building rockets. We only had "The Idea Box" in the Estes MRN or the occasional TIP on a catalog page.

How do you know what's right or wrong?
On a forum, check the number of how many posts the writer has. If there are only four posts, chances are the builder is just starting out and may not know what he is doing - yet. But, new hobbyists can bring new ideas and techniques from outside the normal rocketry sources.
What's the NAR membership number?
If the NAR number is low they've probably been around for a while
Just take it all in and come to your own conclusions on building technique.

Odd'l Rockets BLOG!

Oh no! Not another blog! - Why not?
It's cheaper and a whole lot easier to post information than a HTML website.
It's a work in progress, so don't expect much - yet!

This blog - modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com will concentrate on model building.
The new Odd'l Rockets blog (oddlrockets.com) will show product development, kit descriptions and where to find Odd'l kits and accessories.
Right now I'm focusing on the development of the NEW Little Green Man kit.

Stop by and check it out! 
www.oddlrockets.com or CLICK HERE

Four Year Blog Anniversary

July 4th is the Four Year Anniversary of the blog!
Nearly 3,000 posts and 1,000 readers a day.

Here's the copy from the first post from July 4, 2010:

"While I've been active posting on The Rocketry Forum and EMRR, I wanted a place to archive my construction methods and builds. 
Everyone has their own "proven" ways of building rockets. This blog is not written to say I have all the right techniques. I just know what works for me and am always open for a better way to get it done.
Who knows? Someone might just pick up a new technique or be inspired to improve on what is written here."
_________________________________________________________________________

Some annual ground rules . . . 

You are always welcome to comment on a build or post. 

A comment doesn't mean: "You're wrong! That's not the way I'd do it!"

Agreed. Keep doing it your way. The blog started as just a record of my rocket builds.
I know you can't please everybody.

There have been negative comments.

My response: "Feel free to start your own blog and give your perspective."

Those new blogs lasted a week.

Regarding requests for MPR or HPR builds - 
My models and flights rarely go beyond an black powder E engine.
I don't have the budget or the storage space for larger models.
I have tremendous respect for the mid and high power flyers. 
I always watch and am impressed by the flights.

LPR models are still a challenge for me
No matter how large the rocket, out of sight is still out of sight.
Many of the LPR techniques can be applied to larger MPR models.

Occasionally I might post about something off topic, like getting electrocuted.

It's my blog, I can write about whatever I want. 

Rest assured, the next day will be back on rockets.

Thanks for following! More stuff to come . . . 

If you want to see the blog continue, join Patreon or purchase an Odd'l Rocket kit. 

A Letter Worth Posting

A letter from Andy that sizes up what we've all been through building rockets:

Hi,

I am a long-time follower of your blog and really enjoy it.  I have been in and out of the rocketry hobby since the mid 1970's.  I jump back and forth between rocketry and plastic model building. 

Anyway, here is my question:  

Have you ever gone through periods where you seem to screw up every model you try to build?  Even the simple ones!  It is like my skills just disappear!  

I look and the rockets on the shelf that built and they look pretty good (no ego intended), then I look at my latest skill level 1 or 2 that I just can't get a handle on!  

Am I the only one to go through this? 

All the best,

Andy 

Memphis, TN
_________________________________________________________________________

Hi Andy,

Thanks for writing.

Oh yeah - we all have streaks where things don't go well.

I can equate this with playing the violin. I sold mine!

After playing violin for years my ear got better, almost to the point where I couldn't play double stops (two note chords) without cringing.

Same thing with rockets. 
The more builds you do, the better (and pickier) you get judging your own work.

And there are new challenges - 

I had a bad batch of Gloss White Rustoleum 2X where every can I bought shot out cottage cheese. Luckily it sanded off pretty easily and the newer cans are better.

Estes changes their "balsa" to Tung wood, that changes things.

Body tubes are not the quality they once were. Some weaker tubes now have wide inside spirals.

I try for clean builds and paint. But, you have to draw the line somewhere.

The "perfect" finish won't be perfect after a few flights.

On the other hand, a well built and finished model will last through many more flights. 
The repairs on a better build are easier to fix.

I like to think I'm making forward progress on each new finished and flown model.

Sometimes it feels like a step back. The next build could be a step forward. 

Good luck on that next build,

Chris Michielssen

Odd'l Rockets

Anybody recognize the "Mailman Art" at the top right?

Design Inspiration? Maybe Not

Here's one from EBAY: CLICK HERE

Nobody seems to be biting on the $35.00 start price or $45.50 Buy-It-Now price.

Moon Rocket "4" - Why 4?





Ever wonder where manufacturers get design inspiration?
Estes didn't develop the Hunter's Choice Starter Set models from this Ebay listing. New design ideas can come from anywhere.

A least favorite Estes kit name . . . FUSE!
Over the years we've tried to distance Model Rocketry from fireworks.
But to name and sell a rocket named Fuse?

What - Only One Post Today? Vent

The blog has evolved over the past few years.
When I first started I'd post a single picture and a paragraph of copy. Two smaller posts per day.
A single blog posts now has as many as nine pictures and twice the copy as before.

In all honesty, I'm not making any money from the blog.
The ads don't bring in enough to justify the amount of time spent.
Lately I find myself spending too much time preparing posts!
It's a great diversion away from music and when I'm not doing shows.

So if there is only one post per day - don't complain.
There have been complaints:
"Why don't you do more MPR and less LPR?"
"You repeat yourself too much."
"Why do twenty posts on a simple 3FNC model?"
"You took my picture at the club launch, why wasn't it in the blog?"
"Your grammar sucks!"
"How do I do this? How do I do that?"
I can't build your model by email. I can help, but that's about it.
It's simple, do a search. All the information is out there, much more information than I had building rockets in my teens.

My favorite comment:
"That's not the way I do it!"
Fine - then do it your way! 
No two people build the same. I never claimed to be an authority. 
The blog started as a record of my builds. 
Hopefully I've saved a few readers frustration or steered them away from a marginal product.

To some who complained, I've suggested they start a blog to present their methods. Those new blogs only last a few posts.

If you've learned something here or a post got you through a rough spot - GREAT!

It's simple to support the blog and keep it running:
Join Patreon or buy an Odd'l Rockets product.
The bottom line, the blog is free - It doesn't have to be perfect!

Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane on RocketReviews.com

I did a stop at rocketreviews.com to read the daily build review.
A few years back, Mark Fisher did a review of the Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane. HERE
Here's a excerpt:
"Don't believe the placement dimension given in the instructions for the stern (i.e., larger) bulkhead; fit it up last, after you make sure the bow bulkhead is even with the edge of the body wrap. Even with careful work, my X-30 looks like a golf shoe."

Well, it does look a bit like a golf shoe. That did make me laugh. It always gets attention at a launch. 

You can rig it to hang horizontal after ejection. It's all covered in the blog build HERE.
Scroll down a few posts to see how I did it. 
The instructions mention it can be done but don't give any real directions.
Take extra time packing the two parachutes. I've had only one eject on the first flight. The second flight I used just one chute. The model is heavy and does need both parachutes.

The X-30 is a Level 4 build but sometimes a change in materials and techniques is a good thing.
JonRocket.com has them available! HERE

Gyroc Part 7 Post Corrections!

There was reasons I had trouble with the Gyroc flaps!
My Gyroc flaps needed trimming to clear the body tube when flipped.

I'm the type that follows instructions.
Didn't G. Harry Stine say: "When all else fails, try following the instructions!"
I had built a Gyroc years ago, maybe I thought I was past following the directions.

I try to keep up on the comments from blog readers and respond to questions.
"Anonymous" made comments on the Gyroc, Part 7 post from December 23 -
He was right in his observations. This one deserved answers and a blog post.
"Anonymous'" comments are in Italic

Actually, instructions call it "fin-flap" assembly, not "flip-flap".
You are right! That's what a tired dyslexic gets for trying to read directions at 2 a.m.!


"Noticed that you matched up the flap root edge with the fin and left that portion of the edge square. If I'm not mistaken, there was supposed to be a slight gap between the flap root edge and the body tube (if you take the parts templates from the pattern sheet and lay them out, you'll find out that the flap is slightly shorter than the fin. Also the instructions show the root edge of the flap portion to be rounded rather than left square). Although having the flap root edge seating tightly against the body tube might give a cleaner appearance, you'll probably run the risk of the flap binding against the body tube - especially after primer and paint."

That's what happened!

Putting the two pattern sides together I saw the slight gap at the root edge. If I didn't sand the root and outside edges even with each other, the fin flaps would have worked without trimming later on.

This didn't help much!

I cut the the pattern with the outside edge of the flap (on left) a hair wide. 

When I stacked the two fin pieces I gang sanded them to match up the root and outside edges.

Step 5 illustration shows the upper fin half slightly wider than the lower half. It's subtle, but it is there. I didn't notice it. 

"As far as the positioning of the fin-flap assembly -- I'd interpreted the general layout illustration to indicate that the hold-down tabs should be attached to the flap near the "corner" at the root edge of the flap (where it flares out), and that the forward edge of these hold-down tabs would need to be set back far enough to clear the rear edge of the body tube, but not so far back that the hold-down tabs would protrude below the rear edge of the engine when it is inserted. This pretty much ends up determining the location of the fin-flap assemblies."

That's where they ended up. I wish the instructions went into more detail. The drawings were smaller and confusing. You'd think I would know how to do this by now!

Anonymous - thanks for the comments, I appreciate the feedback. 
Let me know if anything I write raises questions.