Doug Gerrard

(sorry, I guess I don’t consider asking peoples opinion as research )If you’re looking for a list of considerations, here are a few more.- No tools required for assembly on AT, snap rings on AMW.- More choices of propellants…   Read more»

This reminds me of the childhood argument of which is better Ford or Chevy? or who can forget PC or Mac? It is really a personal choice. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. I use mostly Aerotech but that’s…   Read more»

I would go with the “blow it apart or blow it up” mentality on the remote charges because there will be no damage to the rocket if all is out and if it is not out you better make sure…   Read more»

Yes, I have a few you can buy off of me The device itself is OK. It has the advantage of the on board battery which is very convenient. It works reliably for general recovery.The problems I have with…   Read more»

gotta be faster Conway… But its true what Conway says. On my L3 flight I was signed off by my guy but there was another TAP member there that said he wouldn’t. Go figure… The criteria is largly based on…   Read more»

can it be turned on/off FROM the outside via the vent port… is this acceptable for L3? Yes, that should be acceptable but you must ask your TAP member. His opinion is the only one that matters in getting your…   Read more»

I have used both kinds from Tim Lehr and from Railbuttons.com. Both work on the larger rail (1515 series from 8020 inc). Its your choice which you use, some like the countersink screw and built in standoff. I’m going to…   Read more»

Yes, I have zippered fiberglass G10 tubing with kevlar shock cord. However, it was a very long rocket and I was trying to pop the nose cone off first (at apogee) instead of breaking it in the middle.Doug

I am in the design of my Level 3 also. What is the best way to deploy? Is it better to have the booster on its own recovery, and bring down the front half on its own? Or do you…   Read more»

JW,Why not use an edge sander? I don’t know how precise you have to be but you should be able to get in the range between 0.080 and 0.100. If you send me the rocket, I’ll sand them off for…   Read more»

Correct, you really don’t have to worry about it touching anything. Its mostly the concern about could if it could break the wire by working its way back and forth. If done on the launch field it can just hang…   Read more»

The latest thing I’ve seen is to use 1/4″ diameter surgical tubing. Put your e-match in one end and secure it with a tie wrap, put the amount of powder you need in and secure the other end the same…   Read more»

No, I haven’t seen what you described. The West Systems is clear for both resin and hardner. I was sort of kidding about being surprised because all the stuff I had used was an amber color.Doug

(I kind of found it weird that West Sytems was clear!) I use the 125/229 combo and sometimes the extra long working time 237 hardner, pot life 6 hours! (requires post cure). I use the thin resin and if I…   Read more»

I do vacuum bagging but I prefer Pro-Set epoxies. Its made from the same company as West Systems but it has a variety of different resins with different viscocities as well as the different hardners. Some of the slowest cure…   Read more»

I think that NAR rules says something about live payloads being vertebra…Doug

Sorry John, I won’t be there for the July launch or you could use mine. If you’re willing to wait until Oktoberfest…Doug

Its been a while but the last time I bought it I just want the a local gun store. You can but a 10 pound bag of lead shot used for loading shotgun shells. It pours very easily.Doug

Try using CA where you want to cut it. Let it completely cure then use wire cutters.Doug

pistons work well too…Doug