This thread is chock full of 'WIN' Keep it up!

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SAM #0354

Using the smallest drill bit I own and a pin vise I drill a hole through the center of the LES skirt. I then make a temporary "bench" for assembling the LES using 1/8" basswood and Dr. Shrink tape. First the nozzles are mounted. After verifying that the length of all legs is equal I attach the side assemblies using Tenax 7. 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

Next, using language so colorful that it frightened the cats, I align and mount the sides of the LES scaffold. I then break the point off a pencil put the "ant's hula hoop" on it and align and mount the ring into the center of the scaffold.

Now for the LES motor. The mounting hole in the top of the skirt is way too tight so I ream it out with a 1/16" drill bit and the pin vise. After inserting the LES motor into the skirt, aligning it rotationally, and then taping it inverted to the edge of my bench, I let go (1) drop of Tenax 7 down the hole I drilled earlier to weld it internally.

...and voila! The little MoFo is ready to be detailed! I'll glue it to the CM after painting. 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

I think I'll apply the 3rd stage wraps before Friday Night Drinky Time begins.

I first fit and slit to size the reducer and tape the ends together with delicate surface tape. After applying a thin bead of Aleene's tacky glue (a little heavier at the seam) I smoosh the wrap down onto the reducer foundation keeping mindful of the alignment line. For the lower wrap, I line up the corregations instead of the alignment line and lay it on with Allene's. 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 for some technique:
For the top wrap, instead of registering to the alignment line I run a pencil line up from the conduit placement detail of the lower wrap. At .375" down from the top of the BT I attach the top wrap by spreading a thin layer of Alleene's about 2" at a time and smoothing down the wrap. Note that I spread the adhesive onto the BT and NOT the wrap. The wrap is too easily damaged. I tried using the spray adhesive on the wraps only once. I don't like it.

...and voila! The wraps are on the 3rd stage.

I have to go now. The cats want me to watch a movie with them (it had better NOT be Stuart Little again.)

I'll include a good weather request for NARAM in my prayers tonight. Good night.

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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

Those stinkin' cats tricked me! It WAS Stuart Little again!

But then, I do find Geena Davis attractive---in an Amazonian sort of way. Plus, 8 foot tall female olympic archers are hot.

Anyway,

I'll do some more work on the SV before I leave for ORD to pick up "The Vixen". I've modified the engine/stuffer tube to accept "E" length casings (and shorter.) I temporarily wrap painter's tape at the CR marks to act as an alignment fence for the rings as the epoxy sets on the side opposite the tape. Then remove the tape to epoxy the other side.

For a bombproof shock cord anchor, I tie #100 Kevlar around 1/8" birch dowels, run the Kevlar through holes drilled 180 deg. apart, and then enrobe the dowels in epoxy under the top ring. 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

Well....

Are ya back yet?

Is she home?

I'M waiting!!!!!!!!

(hehe)

Just kidding.

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If it flies, I can crash it!

The core is now epoxied into the booster BT.

VERY IMPORTANT: after marking the wrap and fin locations on the booster BT, I use the dressmaker's tape to verify that the fin lines all have the same spacing. If the fin spacing isn't perfect on this build, the skirts and bottom wraps won't line up correctly. 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

Because placement of the skirt bases is so very critical, I epoxy them one at a time. First I place the BT on a Corian slab that's covered with wax paper and place a heavy weight on top of the BT. I place the pre-marked skirt base against the BT at the alignment marks and then ensure flatness of the base by laying and taping a steel ruler across it. I then apply the epoxy and immediately LEAVE THE ROOM until it sets.

I do the same thing for the other (3) bases. 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

'WIN'?

Worthless Information.....................something?

__________________
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