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#1
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Built-up fins for the new HoJo
With the MR painting disaster now behind me, I sliced open a new Estes Honest John kit.
Instead of doing the 3-layer balsa fins, I'll try doing built-up fins of a balsa core and cardstock skins--much like the old pro-series Patriot. After separating the (4) fin cores from the sheet I use one of the laminate leading edge pieces as a template to pencil a line on each side of each core. Using the blunted point one of "the Vixen's" old nail files I press a groove into each side of each fin core. I then apply a line of Titebond Red into the groove on one side only for now. I then register a piece of 1/16" dowel into the glued groove. I hope this works, or I'll be cutting (4) new core pieces! TBC
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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 |
#2
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I then repeat the same technique for the other surface of each fin core. I'll let these dry overnight.
Time for a Scotch and an IPA. Good night. TBC
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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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Very cool mod!
Enjoy a night's rest.
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NAR #27085 - Oregon Rocketry - SAM |
#4
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Thanks!
...and I did. Now for the skinning (or is it enrobment?) First I use the Corian board covered with 220 to scrape bevels into the leading and trailing edges of the fin blanks. For the skins I'll use my best sheet of .015" acid free card stock that's polished on one side. Next I cut out an oversized blank and then use the unused balsa fin pieces as patterns to make the cuts. The leading and trailing edges are of course extended because the skin will be folded. The skins are then cut out with a fresh #11 blade. I then use the steel ruler and the blunt end of "The Vixen's" nail file to press a groove into the cardstock for a crisp fold. I then apply Titebond Red to the leading edge, trailing edge, and center rib of the core and lay and hold skin onto it until the glue grabs. One skin down--seven to go! TBC
__________________
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 |
#5
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Even though there's only one skin on this fin assembly, I test fit the fin into the slot of the fin can. Some trimming and detailing will be required, but I think the fin mod. will work.
TBC
__________________
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 |
#6
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The glue is set on the first skin of all four fins and I now repeat the process with the other side of each fin. After the glue has dried again I cut the excess from the leading and trailing edges.
Now all four fins are skinned--except the outer tips still have to be capped or filled (I haven't decided which.) There will be a buttload of fitting and trimming to do, but I think it will still be easier than trying to get this crisp of a bevel on this much surface area by hand scraping. We'll see. TBC
__________________
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 |
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