While deciding whether and how to finish the rotors I had an epiphany: there appears to be what could be a fatal flaw with the rotor blades--the catch for the rubber band. The balsa is VERY soft and I believe the rubber band could break through the 3/32" balsa during operation, so I cut (3) .75" x .090" pieces from my ancient sheet of Midwest 1/32" plywood. Using good-old Titebond Red I glue the pieces to the underside of each rotor blade as shown. The added weight is nearly immeasurable. Will it affect the rotary action? I'm guessing--not much if at all.

TBC

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__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

Now to add some color without adding a lot of weight.

After shaping the leading and trailing edges of each rotor blade I gave each rotor blade ONE coat of sanding sealer--and only on the top surface--and then sanded it smooth. I then covered ONLY the top surface of each blade with Monokote colored adhesive film and edged each blade with an enamel paint marker of the corresponding color. The weight increase was so miniscule I had to use my gunpowder scale to discern any increase at all.

The BNC nose cone and fin can each got ONE coat of sanding sealer and then painted gloss black.

This is all the color the model will be getting.

I'll let everything dry tonight.

Time for a drink and a movie. "The Vixen" chose Enemy Mine (again.) Cripe! I saw that movie so many times on the sub I can probably reenact it with sock puppets. It's not Wolfgang Petersen's best work, but it does have a few good one-liners, i.e.:

(Jeri to Davich) "Your-r-r-r-r-r Mickey Mouse is one big stupid dope!"

(Davich to Jeri) "Jeri! Where would you be without me?!" (Jeri to Davich) "Back home."

Good night. TBC

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__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

These forums need updating ... I'm now so used to having a "LIKE" button ...

__________________
Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

Great build JeffyJeep.

Can't say this enough, Randy has done a terrific job keeping the Semroc name alive. Hopefully, keeping Carl's memory alive.

Sheryl

I couldn't have said it better.

Thank you, Sheryl.

Thank you, Carl.

Thank you, Randy.

__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

Now to mount the first (2) rotor blades onto the CRBM.

I first temporarily tape the CRBM onto the Corian slab and then lay the slab across my Herculean thighs. Are you panting yet? I then put a dot of thick CA onto the first and last alignment squares of the CRBM and lay the hinges of the red and the blue rotor blade. While holding the hinges in place I give them a shot of CA accelerator.

Once the accelerator dries and the cat stops throwing up from the room-filling funk of the accelerator, I'll do the "epoxy rivet treatment" to the hinges on the CRBM.

TBC

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__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

Sheryl,
As you well know, there are so many of us that sorely miss doing business with you and Carl, and your family. But we also are very happy that you were able to keep the Semroc tradition alive courtesy of Randy.

I have enjoyed seeing the "build nights" videos at eRockets and have mentioned to Randy that I hope to do a road trip some day to participate. I'd also love to see the manufacturing side, too.

I know you mentioned that your family worked so hard on the business, that sometimes you did not have much time for things like vacation, or travel. I'm hoping you've remedied that!

__________________
Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

Now to join the ends of the CRBM.

Since I backed the CRBM with .010" styrere, I first give the backing some "tooth" with 220 sandpaper. I then use epoxy on the gluing tab, join the overlap, align the assembly, and recure it with a clothespin until the epoxy hardens.

TBC

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__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

and.......voila!

(2) blades are on the CRBM, (1) to go!

(I'm glad it's not a Chinook!)

TBC

__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

PREPARE FOR AN ABBREVIATION OVERLOAD!

Now to mount the CRBM onto the main BT-5.

Even with the inside of the CRBM backed with .010" styrene, the CRBM is still a BCH loose on the main BT-5--which could effect the alignment.

To solve this I first mark the BT-5 for the location of the CRBM, and then wrap the BT-5 with a 4.25" x 1" strip of label stock that I slit from an Avery half sheet shipping label. This genuine Avery stock has a TIG weld-like grip on a kraft paper BT.

I then mark the enrobed BT-5 for the adhesive, apply (3) lines of epoxy, slip the the rotor blade/CRBM assembly onto the BT-5, and rotate the CRBM into the lines of epoxy.

L.S.M.F.T.

TBC

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__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078