Hi, I just found this forum. I have launched small rocket kits at various points in my life but I just got back into it with my son. We have been building Estes kits, but we lost our last one on Sunday. When we got home I cobbled together some cardboard tube, etc. and home brewed a rocket. I'm a machinist and I have a lathe in the garage, so I turned and bored a nosecone from a chunk of nylon, and we were back in business. The rocket flew fine and got me to thinking, so I have begun building a rocket from aluminum. I took 7.5 inches of 7/8" diameter aluminum tubing and bored one end to accept the cone and the other for a motor mount. I turned and bored a nosecone from aluminum and some bushings for the motor mount from delryn (plastic). I used a small strip of spring steel for a motor clip. The fins will be aluminum also. I apologize if my terms for things aren't correct.

I realize cardboard is lighter and cheaper, but I thought it would be a fun project and I wondered if anyone else uses aluminum?

I would post pics, but I don't have an image host at this time.
Mark.

Mark,

It's great to experiment with rocketry, but you'll find nearly everone on this list follows the NAR Safety Code religiously.

You might want to check the NAR code, part 1, even if you're not a member of that organization. Note:

MATERIALS: My model rocket will be made of lightweight materials such as paper, wood, rubber, and plastic, suitable for the power used and the performance of my model rocket. I will not use any metal for the nose cone, body, or fins of a rocket.

Basically, DON'T DO IT!!!

These code rules came into existance due to the efforts of people wanting to promote rocketry as a safe hobby, similar to model aircraft. Too many young folks were injured before these rules were adopted, and rocketry was nearly eliminated by law from even happening due to those incidents. We try to promote a safe hobby here, and we really want you to enjoy it. Stick with lightweight paper tubes and balsa components which you can purchase already shaped and cut to size from SEMROC Astronautics, or from Balsa Machining Service. We support these folks because they support this hobby in the spirit of those rules.

Look through the forum in the "Scrounged Up" thread, and through the BARCLONE pages on Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe, to find some ideas on what can be done with balsa and paper. I think you and your young ones can find plenty of new concepts to build and enjoy there.

SAFETY FIRST!!!

__________________
Craig McGraw

BARCLONE Rocketry -- http://barclone.rocketshoppe.com
BARCLONE Blogsite -- http://barclone.wordpress.com
BARCLONE Forum -- BARCLONE Forum

BARs helping BARs

SAM 0044
AMA 352635

I had no idea.

Try building some of SEMROC's great kits first and see why we're all so supportive of our Carl. He's brought back a number of the classic Centuri designs from the late 1960's and early 1970's, and given them some modernizing to make them even better. You'll find them far more satisfying than what you see hanging in the stores these days. These are traditional kits, with real balsa nose cones and other goodies.

Click here:www.semroc.com

__________________
Craig McGraw

BARCLONE Rocketry -- http://barclone.rocketshoppe.com
BARCLONE Blogsite -- http://barclone.wordpress.com
BARCLONE Forum -- BARCLONE Forum

BARs helping BARs

SAM 0044
AMA 352635

I can machine plastic, fiberglass,wood, etc. just as well as metal, so I'll just re-direct my homebrew efforts. I'm bored with using someone elses pre-made components just to assemble a simple rocket.

Mark.

Mark,

Good luck with your efforts. A lot of the designs on the Scrounged up thread is a result of others, like you, bored with contemporary "simple rockets". None are kits however the parts reguired for them can be purchased or manufactured at home, if you have the tools (I wish I did ). But don't give up on some of the kits available on-line. If you surf enough, I'm sure you'll find some kits that will not bore you. Try the Mars Lander from Semroc. Or "clone" an old classic like the Estes Trident. Personally, I'm looking forward to the release of the Saturn 1B kit from Semroc. Again, you'll find many kits or plans that are more than a simple rocket and that will challenge your skill not only at modeling but also at patience. Again, good luck and keep us posted on your progress with your work. As you surf this site, you'll find we're big on pictures. We like to look at other people's work as much as we like to fly our own.

Don
NAR 53455

Note that there is a role for metal parts in larger rockets:

Motor retaining rings

Mounts and fittings for payloads.

Ejection charge housings.

So, don't discount your metalworking skills!

* * *

If you're looking for inspiration, dig this thread detailing a guy's efforts to clone a spaceship pictured on an old design manual:

http://www.rocketryforum.com/showth...20&pagenumber=1

Thanks for the replys, but it sounds like NAR and model rocketry aren't for me. I want to experiment with rockets/propellants and build from scratch, not just assemble and fly them. I've found some like minded folks on some experimental rocketry websites. I guess I want to build rockets, not model rockets.

Thanks,
Mark.

Make sure those insurance premiums are paid up.

__________________
Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Marauder, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc - Starfighter Scorpion Centuri - Mini Dactyl Estes - F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II, Xarconian Cruiser Semroc - Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark

I realized that my last post probably didn't come across well. I just thought there would be more experimentation in model rocketry. Here is a shot of the rocket I cobbled together from cardboard, and the finished aluminum rocket. Don't worry, the aluminum one won't be launched, my son likes it so much for a toy he wouldn't let me launch it if I wanted to :-). I started on another carboard and plastic rocket also. I have the nosecone done and a chunk of cardboard for the body.

Also, if anyone needs anything machined for your projects I would be happy to help if I can.
Mark.