Jeremiah, the carbon fiber in PR kits comes in two types - convolute (which is rather mundane looking) and filament wound, which looks something like snakeskin... a very exotic, patchy, sort-of-repeating-but-not-quite-repeating pattern... it looks absolutely awesome. If you have seen a Mongoose or a the rocket that I flew on an M1450 at O'fest, you will know what I mean. I think it looks quite striking. I don't typically use convolute wound carbon, as I really like the "snakeskin" look. (BTW - I much prefer convolute glass over filament, but that is another thread).

When I build with this carbon, I try and leave as much of the carbon exposed as possible. It seems utterly wrong to cover up that nice appearance. The issue is if you do a tip-to-tip layup to strengthen fins, you will have a different weave of carbon fabric vs. what is used on the tube.... sort of like mixing plaid and stripes. That is why I painted the fin area (and only the fin area) of my last rocket. I left 100% of everything else naked.

If/when you scratch -- or even sand -- the carbon, the appearance comes back nicely with regular clearcoat. In the case of my M project, I didn't even do that. Clearcoat does enhance the look a bit, and it does keep it looking like the rocket is wet. That said, it looks pretty nice w/o clearcoat, too...

I can show you the tubing at the next launch if you'd like.

JW

JW, I never did get to see a price list. Curious about, 29mm,38mm, and 54. I have couple rockets on the drawing board.

Heres a link to another carbon tube maker. I have bought nothing from them. Have had many email replies, very helpfull to Our needs. I did think was expensive, but prolly super strong weight ratio. oh yeah, and the look i think your looking for,

http://www.carbonfibertubeshop.com/large%20tubing.html

well theres the address anyways.

David

Hi David -

I sent you a PM... check that, or ping me at 3dogsrocketery@comcast.net

Thanks,

JW3DR

Heres a link to another carbon tube maker. I have bought nothing from them.
http://www.carbonfibertubeshop.com/large%20tubing.html

I have bought from them but not the pretty stuff. I was happy with them and their product.

Doug