HELP--Epoxy Question

Can anyone tell me what I can use to debond epoxy if anything? I have a Aerotech mustang that lawn darted do to the eject charge not going of and I would like to take apart the fins and rebuild it. She only had four flights. Thanks

Reply to
clucas
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Any number of assorted power tools would do the job.

mike

Reply to
Janine and Mike

Not sure what you originally used, however most of the 2 part hobby epoxies are very susceptible to ultraviolet light. This is why they turn yellow and get flaky if not painted. If you can get the joints exposed to a UV source, that might weaken the epoxy enough to pick it out. Don't use a party blacklight as that is very weak UV. A hood plant light would be better.

This will take some time.

Most any chemical solution (including the full range of chlorinated hydrocarbons like MEK) will probably dissolve the fins.

Question - how bad was the damage? Can't you just cut away the damaged upper section and splice on a new piece of tubing?

A

Reply to
Al Gloer

Put the rocket in the freezer for a few hours. Epoxy gets very brittle when cold. Try gently twisting the parts and se if you can get the joint to crack. If not, go to step two, try heat. A heat gun is nice but a blow dryer will do in a pinch. Many epoxies soften under heat. I've used both methods with about 70% success.

Reply to
Reece Talley

I'm not one to dash motivation, but it ain't worth the effort. It'll take you 20 man-hours to disassemble it, another $20 in parts (or more) to replenish your parts supply and whatever time it'd take you to rebuild it.

As an old rmr'er once stated, and I paraphrase:

The odds a rocket cato, burn up, crash, come in ballistic, fosberry-flop in, land on concrete/asphalt/composite d' jour, hang in trees, get caught in powerlines, land in lakes, ponds, rivers and oceans and disappear without a trace are IN direct proportion to:

a) the amount of time you took to build it b) the amount of care you put into building it c) how perfect a finish you got d) how perfect a design it was e) the affection you feel for it f) how awesome the first flight(s) was(were).

Trust me, I'm living proof:

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Alas and alack, it would be a learning experience. It still is a $45 kit, though.

If you insist, any replies you've gotten so far are sound. Power tools, an airframe splice and a heat gun would do the trick. Note on the power tool thing: cured epoxy is a nasty sensitizer. Cover every imaginable exposed part of your body, especially your eyes, THEN put on one of those HAZMAT suits and top that off with a body condom. :-)>

Good luck.

Reply to
Gene

That's no fair -

Take a simple rocketry post on RMR, avoid the whole political situation, and suggest a little practical reality based on experience.

;-)

Reply to
Al Gloer

snip

ROFL!

Thanks for responding to him Gene. I needed a good laugh to start the day. I find your list of (a-e) very accurate. ; )

Where DOES one buy a body condom? I thought Rexall went under???

Randy

Reply to
Randy

Could you explain more about what is damaged? Is any of the body tube forward of the fins OK?

Joel. phx

After replacing fins on 4 different Aerotech rockets, I'm ready to scrap the fins and switch to plywood.

Reply to
Joel. Corwith

Reply to
Mike

Gene,

Thanks for the quote, I think I'll print it out and frame it......... :-)

Rich K.

Reply to
rich kroboth

I know, I know, Al. What was I thinkin'??!! :-)>

Reply to
Gene

That paraphrased quote was via Mr. Bob Fortune from Aerocon Systems, circa.

1998.

I haven't found any body condoms for sale since the "Brat Pack" made us yawn through 12 years of crappy movies :-)>

Reply to
Gene

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