Does anyone have a Semroc Trident kit handy?

I have the Trident X-kit and am curious how wide the laser-cut vent slots are. The original instructions have the builder cut 3/32" wide slots, but I seem to recall reading that the precision of laser-cutting allowed wider slots for less restrictive flow of ejection gasses.

On a somewhat related note, some recommend gluing the vent tubes onto the two main airframe tubes before attaching the nose cones onto the vent tubes to allow access to the slots. I found some bamboo skewers with what looks like a rectangular tang on one end. I think that may make a good tool to help align the slots while gluing the tubes and may even allow me to apply a small fillet to the inside of the slot junctions. I would prefer attaching the nose cones to the vent tubes first so that I have easier access to fill the joints.

Finally, I will apply a coat of glue to the inside on the vent tubes opposite the slot from the motor section to protect against damage from hot ejection gasses. Reinforcing with couplers is probably overkill though I plan on doing that with the 1.67 upscale.


Bill

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My backup kit is hidden away but I recently bought enough of the pre-slotted tubes from Semroc to serve as the basis for two more. The slots are 5/32" wide.

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Bernard Cawley
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SAM 0061
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Thanks. Wow, that is significantly wider.


Bill

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It is well past time to Drill, Baby, Drill!

If your June, July, August and September was like this, you might just hate summer too...

Please unload your question before you ask it unless you have a concealed harry permit.

: countdown begin cr dup . 1- ?dup 0= until cr ." Launch!" cr ;

Give a man a rocket and he will fly for a day; teach him to build and he will spend the rest of his days sanding...

I never used the tubes supplied in the Sem-Roc kit, opting to go with three 18" BT-20's instead. The slots on my original tubes mic out to 11/64". A hair wider.

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Bernard J. Herman Ohio RLS

Starport Sagitta Rockets
email bherman@sagittarockets.com

NAR # 97971 SR

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We're looking for a few good Catos, please tell us about any you may have had. Survey of Anecdotal Malfunctioning Engines or S.A.M.E.

You mean BT-5?

My Semroc Trident X-Kit came with 18" BT-5's; I am replacing them with brown Estes tubes because I think they are slightly stronger.


Bill

__________________
It is well past time to Drill, Baby, Drill!

If your June, July, August and September was like this, you might just hate summer too...

Please unload your question before you ask it unless you have a concealed harry permit.

: countdown begin cr dup . 1- ?dup 0= until cr ." Launch!" cr ;

Give a man a rocket and he will fly for a day; teach him to build and he will spend the rest of his days sanding...

Sorry, I stand corrected. BT-5's for the vent tubes on the Trident. Been working with the Andromeda and her long BT-20's and had a brain freeze.

__________________
Bernard J. Herman Ohio RLS

Starport Sagitta Rockets
email bherman@sagittarockets.com

NAR # 97971 SR

What's your idea on the best way to change Washington D.C.?
Let us know at the Cantina
Sagitta Cantina

We're looking for a few good Catos, please tell us about any you may have had. Survey of Anecdotal Malfunctioning Engines or S.A.M.E.

Or you were thinking Bident which sports two BT-20's instead of three BT-5's.


Bill

__________________
It is well past time to Drill, Baby, Drill!

If your June, July, August and September was like this, you might just hate summer too...

Please unload your question before you ask it unless you have a concealed harry permit.

: countdown begin cr dup . 1- ?dup 0= until cr ." Launch!" cr ;

Give a man a rocket and he will fly for a day; teach him to build and he will spend the rest of his days sanding...

My Semroc Trident has 5/32 slots as well in the unopened kit.

The PDR one I built had to have the slots cut the same way as the Estes Astron Trident I built back in like 1981.

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