LOL, we’re new to rocketry but I have been using McMaster-Carr for decades. And
they are in our back yard… ;)
From: roc-chat-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:roc-chat-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Allen Farrington
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2015 11:51 AM
To: roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [roc-chat] Re: Scratch build tips
Excellent! I get components from Public Missiles, Giant Leap, and Madcow,
depending on what I'm up to. I'm sure others have good sources as well. Oh, and
I use McMaster-Carr for hardware.
Allen
Terseness and mis-spelling courtesy of my iPhone
On Jun 26, 2015, at 11:38 AM, Adrian P. Bailey <adrian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:adrian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > wrote:
Thank you!
We modified our Mirage to take an I motor with some help from David Reese. For
the next project we want a big, fat, low and slow rocket.
Any suggestions on where to source the parts?
From: roc-chat-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:roc-chat-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
[mailto:roc-chat-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Allen Farrington
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2015 11:32 AM
To: roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [roc-chat] Re: Scratch build tips
My first experience was that I modified a few kits, then later went to
full-scratch. I converted a L1 rocket into a dual deploy by adding a payload
section and electronics bay. Next I modified a LOC Magnum to change the motor
mounts and add air-start wiring as well as an extended payload section. The
nice thing about modifying a kit is that you get most of what you need
component-wise, and then you can order other components, usually from the kit
manufacturer. One common thing to do is to purchase a kit with a 29mm motor
mount and then find and order the parts to upgrade the mount to 38mm. You’ll
have to modify the fins to do this so it’s a good way to start getting used to
doing the types of modifications required to do a full scratch build. I would
stay away from minimum diameter for your first scratch build as it adds a bit
of complexity to the fin attachments.
Before you know it, you’ll start getting familiar with the different sizes of
the different types of tubing. For example, 3” cardboard is not the same as 3”
phenolic or 3” fiberglass. Couplers and bulkheads and centering rings all have
to be ordered or modified if you change tubing and modifying kits is a safe way
to step into that world.
Good luck!
Allen
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Allen H. Farrington
http://www.allenfarrington.org
818-653-2284
On Jun 26, 2015, at 11:14 AM, Adrian P. Bailey <adrian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:adrian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > wrote:
Max and I are exploring the options for a project for November’s ROCstock that
we will start working on together over his summer break. Any tips on how to get
started building from scratch? We have been playing with OpenRocket (thank you
Chis and Phil) and I see that Apogee Components has a lot of parts available.
