Ye Olde Rocket Forum

Go Back   Ye Olde Rocket Forum > The Golden Age of Model Rocketry > Kit Collecting
User Name
Password
Auctions Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts Search Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-28-2020, 12:26 AM
dannymrmissile dannymrmissile is offline
I HATE ENGINE HOOKS
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 594
Default Estes 70s " Fin Kwik"

How many of you remember this old original Fin Kwik from Estes ? It was made between 1974-78. 100% metal with Brass screws.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:  D4BBB08A-520C-42DA-866A-C44633CF4D1B.jpeg
Views: 117
Size:  1.76 MB  
__________________
ENGINE COSTS ARE " OUT OF SIGHT " .....
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-28-2020, 12:44 AM
Royatl's Avatar
Royatl Royatl is offline
SPEV/Orion wrangler
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 2,645
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dannymrmissile
How many of you remember this old original Fin Kwik from Estes ? It was made between 1974-78. 100% metal with Brass screws.


A few years ago the sons of the man who designed this were on the forum, and there was some talk about them doing another run. Never came to fruition, though. Should be able to find that thread here..

https://www.oldrocketforum.com/show...310&postcount=1
__________________
Roy
nar12605
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-28-2020, 02:41 AM
dannymrmissile dannymrmissile is offline
I HATE ENGINE HOOKS
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 594
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Royatl
A few years ago the sons of the man who designed this were on the forum, and there was some talk about them doing another run. Never came to fruition, though. Should be able to find that thread here..

https://www.oldrocketforum.com/show...310&postcount=1

And to think I had another one Sesled, complete, mint. Sold it. ....grrr
__________________
ENGINE COSTS ARE " OUT OF SIGHT " .....
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-28-2020, 07:45 AM
tbzep's Avatar
tbzep tbzep is offline
Dazed and Confused
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: TN
Posts: 11,610
Default

I remember drooling over it in the catalog, but never having the money to order a kit, a pack of motors, and a Fin-Kwik, so I always let the jig go. Then they came out with that warped plastic abomination.
__________________
I love sanding.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-28-2020, 10:45 AM
ghrocketman's Avatar
ghrocketman ghrocketman is offline
President, MAYHEM AGITATORS, Inc.
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Nunya Bizznuss, Michigan
Posts: 13,443
Default

That Fin Kwik was the ONLY decent fin-alignment jig that was ever produced for any sort of reasonable price. Yeah, there are nicer ones but they cost what I consider to be an astronomical amount for a building AID.
Until one comes along for $50 or less, I'll stick to my calibrated eyeballs.
__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL
, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !

Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC !
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-28-2020, 10:49 AM
Earl's Avatar
Earl Earl is offline
Apollo Nut
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,893
Default

Oh, yes remember them well. Kinda like tbzep; always wanted one but the funds just weren't there.

Earl
__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-28-2020, 11:27 AM
dannymrmissile dannymrmissile is offline
I HATE ENGINE HOOKS
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 594
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tbzep
I remember drooling over it in the catalog, but never having the money to order a kit, a pack of motors, and a Fin-Kwik, so I always let the jig go. Then they came out with that warped plastic abomination.

I never used Any form of fin jig. My eyesight was good enough to stare down the perfectly held straight BT from behind, and view any fins that maybe off. It’s an art to me.
Concerning the plastic fin jig,,WARPED describes it best !
Dan.
__________________
ENGINE COSTS ARE " OUT OF SIGHT " .....
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-28-2020, 12:07 PM
tbzep's Avatar
tbzep tbzep is offline
Dazed and Confused
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: TN
Posts: 11,610
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dannymrmissile
I never used Any form of fin jig. My eyesight was good enough to stare down the perfectly held straight BT from behind, and view any fins that maybe off. It’s an art to me.
Concerning the plastic fin jig,,WARPED describes it best !
Dan.

It was never the calibrated eye that was ever a problem for me. It was the lack of patience to hold one fin in perfect alignment for six months waiting for the glue to dry. And then I'd think it was dry enough, glue on another fin and notice the original was drooping. Now with the knowledge of pre-gluing and letting it dry before attaching, it's no big deal, but I'd still like to have a Fin-Kwik.
__________________
I love sanding.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-28-2020, 12:24 PM
dannymrmissile dannymrmissile is offline
I HATE ENGINE HOOKS
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 594
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tbzep
It was never the calibrated eye that was ever a problem for me. It was the lack of patience to hold one fin in perfect alignment for six months waiting for the glue to dry. And then I'd think it was dry enough, glue on another fin and notice the original was drooping. Now with the knowledge of pre-gluing and letting it dry before attaching, it's no big deal, but I'd still like to have a Fin-Kwik.

Ha, I’ve heard this from folk a thousand times. It’s not hard. Just take a few deep breaths,, and be still ! Often I get all fins on while wet....
Dan.
BTW,,, those six months could be seconds if you started with a very thin film of glue, let it air dry a few minutes, and it will tack on nicely in seconds, as I said. The strength comes in the fillets.....
__________________
ENGINE COSTS ARE " OUT OF SIGHT " .....

Last edited by dannymrmissile : 07-28-2020 at 02:52 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-28-2020, 12:28 PM
tbzep's Avatar
tbzep tbzep is offline
Dazed and Confused
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: TN
Posts: 11,610
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dannymrmissile
Ha, I’ve heard this from folk a thousand times. It’s not hard. Just take a few deep breaths,, and be still ! Often I get all fins on while wet....
Dan.

Like I said, it's not a thing for me at all these days. It was for a 10 year old me that wanted to hurry up and fly!
__________________
I love sanding.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:37 PM.


Powered by: vBulletin Version 3.0.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe © 1998-2024