#1
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Making your parachutes tangle free
With all of the parachutes that I have cut out and tied, this article is my ah ha moment or why didn't I think about this, first. My chutes will now be tangle free. The process of tying and assembling chutes in this article are much better than the instructions that come with the chutes and in the kits.
http://www.apogeerockets.com/Educat...wsletter368.pdf David
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David Manning SAM # 0455 |
#2
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That's a good article--except I disagree with using a square knot. For all parachute lines I use a bowline knot. A bowline NEVER slips and NEVER gets tighter or looser.
It's easyto tie also: "the rabbit comes out of the hole.......blah, blah, blah.................". When in doubt, consult your Bluejacket's Manual.
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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 |
#3
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I've been using quite a few of the tips Chris has in that article, but not all of them. I use a sharpened piece of 3/32 brass tubing as a punch for making shroud line holes (with a self-healing mat underneath). The trick that's new to me are the loops on the ends of the individual line pairs and then the bit of Kevlar to tie those loops to the swivel.
I'd also suggest coast-lock type swivels. Funny - I haven't gotten the email from Apogee telling me of the new newsletter yet....and the ad for AltimeterOne/Two shows the prior versions of them.
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Bernard Cawley NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member SAM 0061 AMA 42160 KG7AIE |
#4
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Another tip that I read in one of the forums a while back is to attach the parachute to the end of the shock cord and the nose cone about 1/3 of the way down the shock cord (swapping the nose cone and parachute locations). This results in a lower chance of the nose cone hitting the body of the rocket and less tangling of the shroud lines and 'chute as the rocket decends.
I try to remember to use this technique even on my larger rockets where I attach the shock cord to the nose cone and add a second shock cord between the nose and the parachute. I apologize that I don't know who first posted the idea. -- Roger |
#5
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Hi Guys,
I'm glad the article has some useful information. To DVManning, Thanks for the feedback. This method should only add a few minutes to your parachute construction. To JeffyJeep - The square knot was suggested for simplicity. Some instructions just tell you to tie a couple of overhand knots, but that could make a "Granny"and the Granny knot does slip. I'll have to practice some Bowlines on the next chute I make. To BEC, The article was written for tying plastic parachutes in LPR rockets. I rarely fly anything larger than two feet tall and have never had a small swivel pull out. On larger models (above a D engine) I'd go with a rip stop chute and stronger swivel. The Coast Lock Swivels are certainly better for bigger rockets. Everybody has methods that work for them, this is just how I do parachutes. If the article helps out - Great!
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Hans "Chris" Michielssen Old/New NAR # 19086 SR www.oddlrockets.com www.modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com http://www.nar.org/educational-reso...ing-techniques/ Your results may vary "Nose cones roll, be careful with that." Every spaceman needs a ray gun. Look out - I'm the Meister Shyster! |
#6
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Chris,
I've seen them distort (regular swivels) on small models especially with poorly-chosen delays - so I use coast-lock types on everything that has a swivel of any kind in it. They can be had down to quite small sizes though sometimes it takes some looking to spot them. Great article! Thanks.
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Bernard Cawley NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member SAM 0061 AMA 42160 KG7AIE |
#7
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I thought I knew everything, but I don't what you mean by "coast lock".
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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 |
#8
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Quote:
It's a type of swivel where the loop actually hooks around itself. They can be had in just about any size "ordinary" snap swivels can.
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Bernard Cawley NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member SAM 0061 AMA 42160 KG7AIE |
#9
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Ah so! Now I know what you mean. I didn't know they had a special name.
But instead of coast lock, perhaps they could be called "shore lock". I think the name change would be...... .....wait for it .....wait for it .....wait for it .....elementary. It's not my fault! I'm in Abilene, TX and I have a major Shiner Bock and Scotch buzz in progress. I'll pay dearly for it in the morning.
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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 |
#10
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Quote:
Absolutely true... Regular swivels can straighten out even with good delay choices, if it's a windy day and the rocket arcs over too much and deploys fast (relative wind speed) at apogee... Coastlocks are cheap insurance. Won't even use a regular swivel anymore-- coastlocks or nothing when I build... Later! OL JR
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