Construction Tips and Hints

As unlikely as it may sound, there is actually a rare moment when we stumble onto a rocket building idea that is worth passing on. Or more likely, we saw a great idea that someone else has already put into use, but we have stolen it and claimed it for our own. Well, okay, if it's someone else's idea we promise to tell you. But we'll still insist that we made it better.

Composite Reinforcement

The Dark Art of Composites - Part One (Materials)
A description of materials used in composite reinforcement.

The Dark Art of Composites - Part Two (How To)
Instructions for working with fiberglass, with work-saving hints and tips related to getting a smooth surface.

Airframe Tube FiberGlassing Rotisserie Stand
A great way to glass your tubes.

High-Speed Sanding Lathe for Large Tubes and Airframes
How to cheaply build a tool for sanding large airframes, whether after fiberglassing or priming.

Nose Cones Nose Cone Modification Change the shape of your nose cone Turning Wood Nose Cones Tips on creating a wooden nose cone using a woodworker's lathe Fiberglass Nose Cones Creating and using a fiberglass mold to make fiberglass nose cones Sky Rocket Style Nose Cones Or Firework Style whatever you to prefer to call it, defines a shape of nosecone which is conical in form, and and has a base larger than the body tube. Ogive Nose Cones This article focuses on one of the more common nose cone shapes -- the ogive -- and describes an effective way to shape a large version ogive nose cone for an extreme project.

Airframes

Forming Large Fiberglass Tubes
How to make strong, lightweight, all-fiberglass airframes without a cardboard or foam core.

Anti-Zipper Airframe Design
Rick and Billy have had great success with high-powered rockets by incorporating an anti-zipper design. This explains how.

Airframe Zipper Repair
OK, so you didn't design your rocket according the the recommendations in the anti-zipper article -- and now you have a substantial zipper in your airframe. What to do?

Hot Wire Foam Cutter
Use this tool to cut styrofoam for nose cones, transitions, or complex fuselage shapes.

Styrofoam Shaping Fixture
Use this fixture in conjuction with the Hot Wire Foam cutter so you aren't trying to shape the foam freehand.

Cutting Large Centering Rings on a Router Table
An easy and reliable way to cut perfect bulkheads and rings every time

Cutting Large Centering Rings on a Bandsaw
Our friend Burl Finkelstein kindly offered to add to the RTV body of knowledge by doing a quick write-up on how he cuts rings and bulkheads using his band saw. Thanks, Burl!

Making Custom Couplers
If you are using non-standard airframe tubing, you wil probably need a non-standard coupler. Here's how you can make one.

Building an Avionics Bay
An article on, guess what? -- building an avionics bay!

Fins

Fin Mold
Too awesome for words. Easy -to-follow instructions on how to make and use a mold for fabricating fiberglass fins. Perfect for anyone, even if you have no fiberglass molding experience whatsoever!

Working with G10
Handy information regarding G10 fiberglass sheets and fabricating it into fins.

Making Fiberglass Fin Stock
If you're really ambitious, here's how you can make your own solid fiberglass fin stock thats as good as G10!.

Making Laminated Fin Stock
You want lightweight fins, but you need them to be strong, too. This easy-to-make fin stock might be exactly what you are looking for.

Quick, Easy, and Perfect Epoxy Fillets
Rick discovered a new epoxy product that makes creating perfect fillets almost as easy as making a peanut butter sandwich.

Fin Fastening Jig
Instructions on how to make and use a very simple fin alignment jig

Removable Fins
Instructions on how to build fins that can be removed for transportation and storage. This particular article presents a solution that is especially suited for large, heavy rocket projects.

Frangeable Fins
Rick designs a really neat solution to solve for weight and size. Fins designed for removal during strage and transportation, and designed to break in order to absorb the shock of landing.

Recovery Parachutes Sew your own 'parabolic cupped' parachutes that are virtually identical to the leading brand names for a fraction of the retail price.

Raiding the Junk Drawer

Spam Motor Retainer
Well, not actually made from Spam - but after your next delightful Spam-a-licious meal, save the can. Lightweight and aesthetically beautiful motor retention can be crafted from the cans that once held soda, beer, or your favorite potted meat products.

Picture Hanging Hardware Shock Cord Mount
Easy shock cord mount. A testament to the great ideas you can have while lurking the aisles of Home Depot.

Fish Hook Removal Tool
Here's how you can attach that shock cord mount inside a 38mm tube....

Fiberglass Drywall Tape
Quick, easy fix for loose centering rings and more!