FlisKits Cut-Away Motor Rocket Motor

FlisKits - Cut-Away Motor Rocket Motor {Kit}

Contributed by Jim Bassham

Manufacturer: FlisKits
(Contributed - by Jim Bassham - 03/08/09)

Brief:
This is FlisKits' new model of a cut-away rocket motor. It is designed to be used as a classroom or science-fair demonstration model.

FlisKits Cutaway MotorFlisKits Cutaway Motor

Construction:
The kit consists of a laser-cut sheet of fiberboard parts, two body tubes, a coupler tube and a sheet of paper parts.

OK, I really wanted to like this kit, but it was frustrating and difficult from the start. The model is essentially two rocket body tubes cut in half and glued to fiberboard "ribs." The fiberboard was very weak and prone to delaminating. Cutting the parts free from the laser-cut sheet was remarkably difficult. The whole assembly was hard to keep square and the strips did not line up with the rings correctly. This design requires you to cut the body tubes to fit by hand, and I found it very challenging in getting a clean, lengthwise cut in a body tube. Once everything was assembled, you have to fill the small voids in the center of the nozzle with paper cones. The fact that they supply you with three spares for each piece should indicate how challenging this step can be. Once you get it lined up and glued in place, you again have to hand-cut the pieces to fit.

I found this to be an extremely challenging model--far beyond the average child's skill level for a science fair project and not good for a teacher who is only casually looking to make a classroom model.

FlisKits Cutaway MotorFlisKits Cutaway Motor

FlisKits Cutaway MotorFlisKits Cutaway Motor

FlisKits Cutaway Motor

Finishing:
The finishing of this model was even worse than the building. The decal wraps that are shown in the kit photos must be downloaded from the FlisKits website and printed onto full-size label paper. I ended up going to three stores before I could find the right kind of label paper and then the label paper cost more than the kit! When I printed the labels, I was surprised to find they do not cover the entire model, but leave the ends and top sides uncovered, so you have to try and match the labels with paint. Then, when I went to apply them, they are not the same size as the finished model and leave gaps around the edges. I really think the labels should have been included in the kit and should completely cover the model. I was very disappointed with the finished result. Perhaps someone more adept at computers could resize the labels to fit better.

Construction Rating: 2 out of 5

Summary:
I was very disappointed in this kit. I feel the lack of labels and the poor fit make it incomplete. It builds into far too fragile a model for passing around a classroom. (One rowdy kid could easily crush it--the paper parts are as sturdy as, well, paper.) And at even 3 times normal size it is too small to be seen by the back row of a class. It might be useful in a science-fair display, but I think it is far too challenging for most children to build. (Maybe an advanced high-school student could tackle it?) And the finished product isn't really that great looking to use. Really, it's only saving grace is that there is nothing like it out there.

Overall Rating: 2 out of 5

Other Reviews
  • FlisKits Cut-Away Motor Rocket Motor By Chan Stevens (February 7, 2009)

    ( Contributed - by Chan Stevens - 02/07/09) Brief: This is a neat display of the interior of a model rocket motor, and at 3:1 upscale, it's large enough to use in a typical classroom presentation. Construction: This kit comes packed in a typical rocket baggie with color header card and contains the following parts: BT-70 tube Laser-cut cardboard detail sheet ...

  • FlisKits Cut-Away Motor Rocket Motor By Hans "Chris" Michielssen (February 1, 2009)

    ( Contributed - by Hans "Chris" Michielssen - 02/01/09) Brief: I "won" this kit on a rocketry forum. A build thread hosted by Powderburner followed the steps of the assembly. After the last assembly post, the host asked the readers to find the mistake in his build. If you found the error you would receive a Cutaway Engine Kit as a prize. I read through the ...

  • FlisKits Cut-Away Motor Rocket Motor By David Landgraf (January 2, 2009)

    ( Contributed - by David Landgraf - 01/02/09) Brief: If you have ever been at a loss for a giant version of a model rocket motor to use as a teaching aid to hold up in front of a class, this is your ticket. This little kit provides a good illustration of the internal parts, gives you a model in a good, usable size, and is easy to assemble in a couple hours of total work time. It ...

Comments:

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R.A.M. (January 22, 2009)
The cut-away motor model is generous in depicting the technology for a typical commercial black powder motor by displaying a converging/diverging clay nozzle. Most commercial BP motors have only a diverging nozzle.
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J.F. (March 21, 2009)
Jim, Jim Flis here. I am terribly sorry that you had such difficulty with this kit. To address some of your concerns, I can offer the following:
* This model is not aimed at young modelers and is certainly not what we would call a beginner kit. You are correct that there are challenges in building it.
* The cost point we were aiming for (less than $10) precludes us from including a label with the kit. A free download label is easy to provide and is only an available option. the builder is free to finish it as they choose.
* I would be most interested in working with you offline as your comments about difficulty in removing laser cut parts and a flimsy end product indicate that you may have gotten some defective parts as you shouldn't be having such problems. Feel free to contact me if you would like some resolution in this regard. Thank you for your review. As you know we value all feedback and negative feedback helps us identify things that need attention!

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