Model Forum / General / Rockets / August 2006

Scratch build it.  So many things begin to look like rocket parts if you
squint at them the right way... <grin>.

The only "kits" I buy is to give to friends to entice them to the hobby, or
bulk packs for Scout Merit Badges.

Everything I build lately is from spent Christmas wrapping paper rolls,
"En-Motion" paper-towel dispenser rolls, 3 color printer plate stock rolls,
various woods and parts and thick card stocks that I come across.  Nose
cones are a little more problematic, as these tubes are often "non-standard"
diameter, so you have to "roll your own" nose cones.  If you don't like
rolling nose cones, then mount the nearest fit size, transitioning to a
section of the intended tube size with a coupler as the separation point...
this works well.

I don't have anything against kits... I am just not rich, so I make do with
what I can find.  My largest rocket (currently under construction) is a 5
inch diameter 101.5 inch tall model made of joined oatmeal cans and will
cost less than $50 USD to construct (not counting motor or altimeters or
other optional payloads).  A mid range I motor it should top over 2000 feet
in perfect conditions... we'll see.

Each section is fiber glassed together, and when all are joined, I will
layer the entire tube externally with course and fine glass and then hose
sock.  Parachute(s) are made out of scraps of rip-stop nylon and yards and
yards of 1 inch tubular nylon (found on discount close-out racks of a local
fabric store).  I plan to have a 12 inch drogue drag out the laundry; a
triumvirate of red, white, and blue 45 inch classic round chutes (chute
diameters may change depending on final rocket weight).

http://www.aharrt.com/rockets/JollyGreen/jg.htm

It is not really an extra-ordinary project excepting of course the oatmeal
can construction... but therein lies the beauty, they come with built-in
bulkheads... <grin>.  I will foam fill the fin-can area for motor stress
translation.  I have several other rockets I have scratch-built, but only a
few up on my site.

We have a person or two in our club who specialize in building rocket-like
objects out of cereal boxes and other various implements. It is pretty
amazing what they have come up with.

Cheers!