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No welded aluminum rockets, or in other words no rockets constructed primarily of metals at commercial launches. No reason to do that anyways, composites and other forms of construction are easily strong enough to meet the demands of a rocket,…   Read more»

No welded aluminum rockets, or in other words no rockets constructed primarily of metals at commercial launches. No reason to do that anyways, composites and other forms of construction are easily strong enough to meet the demands of a rocket,…   Read more»

I did learn Fortran using punch cards though back in 75.I used Fortran IV back in 1970! Ever drop your cards? I can get the blue apart, and I just use the red on joints I don’t want coming…   Read more»

When I use locktite, I typically use the green because I generally do want the part to come apart eventually. Otherwise I use CA or epoxy.I sell TONS of loctite (Just about anything they make) There are 2 Main forms…   Read more»

When I use locktite, I typically use the green because I generally do want the part to come apart eventually. Otherwise I use CA or epoxy.I’m a bigger fan of U-bolts than eye-nuts personally. As I said in an earlier…   Read more»

No welded aluminum rockets, or in other words no rockets constructed primarily of metals at commercial launches. No reason to do that anyways, composites and other forms of construction are easily strong enough to meet the demands of a rocket,…   Read more»

Blue is better for most uses. The red is ULTRA high strength and most times it takes the heat of a torch to get the joint apart. Blue has high strength but can still normally use hand tools with no…   Read more»

While I don’t care which I use, U-bolts got me my L3 flight safely and reliably, lifting eyes are actually stronger mechanically. Right ME’s, Warren and Mike? But, when I venture to MD, I’ll definitely use lifting eyes with a…   Read more»

No welded aluminum rockets, or in other words no rockets constructed primarily of metals at commercial launches. No reason to do that anyways, composites and other forms of construction are easily strong enough to meet the demands of a rocket,…   Read more»

No welded aluminum rockets, or in other words no rockets constructed primarily of metals at commercial launches. No reason to do that anyways, composites and other forms of construction are easily strong enough to meet the demands of a rocket,…   Read more»

Damn I’ve been doing it wrong all this time 😯 Actually Mike, I don’t glue in the aluminum bulkplates, they are bolted to the motor/booster etc.DougNo wrong way in this hobby, just personal preference. I’ve got a TIG welder when…   Read more»

This bird is all bolt-together except for tip to tip carbon and glass and some incidental epoxy to aluminum joints that have no structural ramifications. In that case though there are little machined grooves all around the ring designed to…   Read more»

Damn I’ve been doing it wrong all this time 😯 Actually Mike, I don’t glue in the aluminum bulkplates, they are bolted to the motor/booster etc.Doug

… machined aluminum bulkheads and rings seem like the only way to go. …I’m a big believer in not combining dissimiler materials in assemblies wherever possible. Although attractive when 1st machined, Aluminum sheet is not as ideal (or as robust,…   Read more»

I’ll fly the thing naked if it comes down to that.

Art won’t let us fly naked. The rocket either. He considers it to be a “requirement”. It would make the film look better.Doug

I’ve got the very same problem. Looks like construction should be done in another 3 weeks – another week for testing – then 2-3 weeks for paint and finish… of course that’s optional. I’ll fly the thing naked if it…   Read more»

Lets just hope it gets done in time for MHM.Doug

Given that I now have the tools to do the same, machined aluminum bulkheads and rings seem like the only way to go.Doug, saw the parts for the bird you and Art are working on – impressive.Warren

True JW that many times it is unavoidable especially with minimum diameter rockets. You have to use they eyebolts and it sounds like you are taking appropriate precautions. But I have seen them un-thread and since I have the room…   Read more»

Regarding the whole eyebolts “backing off” issue, I’ll say that this concerned me greatly earlier on. Then one day I was flying minimum diameter everything and I had no other choices. I tried it, and it worked great.I’ve never once…   Read more»