Hello everyone!
I am getting back into model rocketry after a few years absence. I had participated in rocketry every year in 4-H and had a great deal of fun doing it. Now, as I reaquint myself with the hobby and looking at my expirences as a kid, I see there were a few things I have to improve on and a few questions to go with. So, please forgive me if I'm asking you to go over topics already discussed. Thanks.
For now I'm interested in building rockets on the level of those offered by Estes and Quest.
- What sort of glue do you recommend for various components beyond white Elmer's glue and how do you recommend applying them to specific joints?
- What's a good method of getting a good, clean leading edge on fins?
- Another fin question, how do you get your's smooth? What do you apply to your fins and how many times do you repeat the sand-apply cycle? I know, a pretty basic question, but this one always drove me nuts as a kid.
- How do you rid your rockets of that spiraled trench on the body tube? Use the same stuff as the fins and sandpaper I suppose?
- Could someone tell me about these Kevlar shock cords I have read about and the various methods to use them?
- Please recommend a good rocket building book with tips like these.
Thanks for taking your time to answer my questions. I can't wait to get some of the kits I bought today built and off the ground. I'm planning on going to Tripoli Southern Minnesota's launch on July 25th so perhaps I'll see some of you there!
Daniel Bergquist Rev. 2:10