Adrian and Max,
I'm "frugal". So, I decided that rather than buying a kit of a rocket I really
wanted (LOC Expediter), I would build one from scratch. I'd suggest the same
principle (using an existing design, not the frugal part) for your first
attempt. - Pick a rocket you really like. - Then, find a sim file for it.
Most manufacturers provide them, and there are some online sources as well
(rocketreviews.com for example). - Use the sim file to get a list of parts. -
Then, source the parts from either online vendors if you need it right away (or
it's the only source), or keep in mind another back-yard source -- the vendors
that attend our launches. - Use the instructions from the kits you've
assembled as a guide. Modify them with the knowledge you've gleaned from your
experience so far. - One thing to consider is upsizing the motor mount, so the
rocket stays active in your fleet as you progress through the hobby -- you can
always adapt down, but it's harder to make the motor mount bigger once the
rocket's built.
Also, there's scratch, and then there's "scratch", where you fabricate parts
yourself. For instance, with a big rocket, you might use "sonotube" or
something similar for the rocket body. However, it doesn't always match up in
size with available nose cones. So, you make the cone yourself. Bryce had an
interesting method for his L3 Squat :-) Using composites, you can even make
the tubes yourself, as well as make flat stock for fins, centering rings, etc.
You can also adapt "trash", like carpet tubes you find (for free!) in a
dumpster.
Check out some of the online resources like John Coker's site (jcrocket.com),
or The Rocketry Forum (rocketryforum.com), which has a section devoted to
scratch builds (but there's lots of scratch projects in the other sections too).
Take advantage of the Tripoli TAPs and NAR L3CCs. Most people think of them
only for certification, primarily L3, but they have a wealth of knowledge that
anyone can use. They can be especially helpful if for example you're trying to
upscale a model rocket design but aren't sure what material/size/thickness/etc.
is appropriate for your rocket and intended motors.
Most of all . . . have fun!!!
Mike
On Friday, June 26, 2015 12:00 PM, Adrian P. Bailey
<adrian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
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{}#yiv1308777747 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.
AllenTerseness and mis-spelling courtesy of my iPhone
On Jun 26, 2015, at 11:38 AM, Adrian P. Bailey <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] On Behalf Of Allen Farrington
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2015 11:32 AM
To: 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--------------------------------------------------------------------
Allen H. Farringtonhttp://www.allenfarrington.org818-653-2284
On Jun 26, 2015, at 11:14 AM, Adrian P. Bailey <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.
