I have more questions about rocket building...

[clovis]

Thank you for your help on my previous post about rockets.

If I get the replacement tubes, and give my nephew the kits to build:

What type of glue should we use to glue the wood fins onto the body?

How exactly is the best way to get the fins on straight, and keep them in place while they dry?

I would suspect that rattle can primer will do the trick as a base coat. Am I correct in that idea?

This is not an overly complex rocket kit. Can we get it done in a total of 8 hours, not counting drying times?

Thanks!!!!!

[ScaleDale]

I used plain old wood glue for this when I was building rockets in the '60s. Anything wood and paper related from the hardware store will do. As for keeping them straight, use a triangle and straight edge of some sort to mark centerlines up the body at the points where the fins will go. Quarter points for four fins or thirds for three, depending. Stand it on end and put a bit of glue on each surface and press them together. Place a block of something square on either side of the fin for around ten minutes to let it set up and do the next. Let it set overnight. Some rockets are designed to spin for stability and the fins are angled to the centerline, but the Estes rockets launch off a metal rod and everything needs to be straight.

The Estes kits I built were very easy and I put them together in an hour not including paint. Oddly, Estes kits were the last rockets I built, not the first. I scratch built everything up to then.

Have fun.

EDIT: Go find a movie called October Sky based on a true story of the life of Homer Hickem. He was a West Virginia coal town kid who built rockets and became a NASA engineer. The original book title is Rocket Boys.

Dale (Retired Pyro)

Edited January 26, 2014 by ScaleDale

[clovis]

Dale,

Thank you!!!!

I have read the book, and also watched the movie umpteen times. I've read most of Homer Hickam's books, but not all.

October Sky is definitely on my top ten favorite movie lists of all times, after Band of Brothers and Saving Private Ryan, of course.

Again, thank you for the help!!!!

What about the primer? Can you advise?

[ScaleDale]

Thanks. Glad you liked the movie, and especially pleased you read the book. I had the original title (couldn't refuse Rocket Boys on the bookshelf) before the movie.

I can't really help with paint as I don't remember painting mine. That's something that doesn't stick in my memory for some reason. I have no trouble getting any rattle can paint to stick to paper when I paint a model, so just pick your color. Duplicolor auto paints from the parts store are a good deal compared to hobby paint.

I've purchased screwdrivers with warning labels that they are made with chemicals "determined by the State of California to increase the risk of cancer" so I'm surprised Estes ROCKETS are even on the market these days.

Dale (Retired Pyro)

[clovis]

Thank you, Dale!! I appreciate your time and helpfulness!!!

I've read Rocket Boys more than once. When i saw the movie, I was awestruck with the cinematography, the acting, the story line, etc. I fell in love with the movie for many reasons.

After watching the movie, I went on a reading binge of Hickam's books, and own several, including an autographed copy found at a flea market. Hickam is a wonderful writer, and I would encourage you to read some of his other books, should that be of interest to you.

Again, thank you for the help on the rocket kit.

[LittleDrummerBoy Aka LDB]

Wood glue is pretty standard. I like to spot glue with ca to hold the fins in place then a few layers of wood glue for strength and flexability. Estes also makes a fin alignment tool i use if you get into rockets very serious. it works with 3 fin rockets and 4 fin rockets. Another tip, i like to score the body tube with an exacto knife directly where the fin attaches, this allows the glue to soak into the body tube a little better and get a good strong bond.