Binder Design Excel

Binder Design - Excel 38mm {Kit}

Contributed by Jonathan Carter

Manufacturer: Binder Design

Rocket PicBrief:
Built with 54mm mount and 38mm adapter. 24" payload tube and Binder Avionics bay added and used for dual deployment. Stock 10" payload tube with bulkheads added to provide method of adding forward weight.

Modifications:
This rocket was used for my level 1 Cert flight and will be used without modification for my level 2 cert flight. It flew perfectly on a Loki Research I405 to 1633 ft. It weighed in at 8 1/2 lbs loaded weight. I expect 2600ft on a Loki Research J528 motor for my level 2 flight.

Construction:
4 tubes total glassed with Kevlar and veil layer of glass. 3 stock fins also glassed. 1 stock Masonite centering ring used in center for motor mount and custom 1/4" Masonite centering rings also glassed used forward and aft on mount. Stock motor mount was used. Shock cords replaced with two 35ft x 1/4" wide Kevlar cords. Stock nose cone used. Attachment hardware upgraded to 1/4" quick links. Parachute upgraded to 66" Aerocon chute.

This is a great kit with quality parts and great packaging. The 22 step instructions were very clear. The tube was premarked for fin slots and launch lug. You must cut your own fin slots but this proved to be simple enough with a little attention to detail. I added a centering ring and did not glue the aft one on until I filleted the fins both inside and out. This was not addressed in the instructions yet made it much easier in my opinion. It think this kit would be a great level one kit as is. I only made my modifications because I want to use it for my level 2 and also to fly it with EX motors at some point in the future.

Rocket

The Kevlar proved to be a bit tough to apply and finish, so I am not sure it was worth the effort. It is however a very sturdy rocket.

Flight:
The stock kit recommends G, H, and I motors.

I had a superb flight on the Loki I405, however, I suspect my rocket was 2.5 to 3 lbs heavier than the stock kit.

RetainerBinder recommends tape as a motor retainer but I am not so trusting. A custom machined 2 part aluminum motor retainer was used instead and it worked great. It also served to protect the aft end from exhaust and hard landings.

My flight was dead on straight up.

Summary:
I think Binder has a great product and customer support. I will buy from them again. There are places for slight improvements (e.g., more and thicker centering rings) but that would drive up cost and as it is the kit is a great bargain in my opinion. I can not say that the kit was not adequate as is, because I did not give it a chance.

Other Reviews
  • Binder Design Excel (38mm) By Leigh Metzroth (January 4, 2010)

    A 3FNC single-stage rocket with an 11" payload section, a 38mm motor mount, and a 30-inch parachute. Modifications: This kit comes with two body tubes (23", 11"), 38mm motor mount tube, tube coupler, aircraft plywood bulkhead, pre-cut aircraft plywood fins, two centering rings (mine came with the older style masonite rings, however the newer kits come with aircraft plywood), nosecone, ...

Flights

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