I just received my Apogee Apollo Capsule,here's my question,How do I attach the mounting screw for the shock cord to the capsule? Do I epoxy a piece of balsa inside and then screw into that??And does anyone leave the tower detachable for flight or will it hold up to the abuse of landing?Thanks Jpaw

The tower's not intended to serve as a shock cord anchor point. Depending on your use, though, you might wind up needing to add nose weight for stability, and if so, could think about pouring epoxy/lead shot instead of clay, anchoring a screw eye at that time. I think Apogee's Saturns both require a fair amount of nose weight for stability since they use scale-like fins, but Estes/Semroc kits don't need the nose weight.

Most Saturns I've built involve 2-piece recovery, and the attachment to the upper section generally goes on an inside surface of the body tube.

The capule is going to be used on a semroc saturn 1b,since the dog ate the orginal capsule,the rocket will have two piece seperation,so the capsule will need a mount for the parachute only.Will it need nose wieght?Thanks

The Semroc 1b, based on the Estes, features oversized fins and does not need nose weight to be stable.

It shouldn't unless you modify it, such as putting in a removable motor mount. My son is actually tackling this project right now....before I start mine.

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I love sanding.

I built mine with a changeable motor mount and didn't add any nose weight.
I've had nice stable flights with both clusters and 24mm reloads.

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Tony Vincent
NAR # 45082 L1
CMASS, MMMSC Member

Pulling this golden nugget out of the vault I am finally getting around to completing my SEMROC Saturn 1B that I started in 2007 Over the last 50 years or so, I've built several of the original Estes Apollo capsules. Now in my mid-60's I'm not going to go through that again. So I bought the Apogee capsule kit, and just as jpaw33 asked years ago, any suggestions on the parachute attachment point? From what I've gathered on this thread, adding nose weight to this particular version of the 1B isn't needed. My original thought was to cut out a disc of either balsa or basswood and insert it into the base of the Apollo capsule, but I'm leery of gluing wood to plastic.

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Got a Caribbean soul I can barely control.....

That's exactly how I always do it: I cut a disk out of 1/8" plywood. I bevel the plywood edge somewhat to add more surface area to the attachment. Rough up the inside of the capsule with 220 grit sandpaper and use 30 minute epoxy. It won't come off.

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4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

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Thank you sir!!!

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Got a Caribbean soul I can barely control.....

Yep use epoxy that's what it's for... OL J R

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