Model Rocket Building Blog

Model Rocket Building Posts

Sport Rocketry / Multistage

    Great On Board Rocket Video (2016-10-15)
    From Facebook, Jerry Rutherford gave a link to this video by Petr Pavlik: CLICK HERE "Launch of 3 stage rocket model, on-board camera slow motion video, rocket motors ignition sequence, detail ... [Read More]

    Second Stage Veering Off? TIP (2016-10-23)
    THIS IS BIG! A post from Hornet Driver on The Rocketry Forum: ". . . I gotta tell ya, I've never had a multistage rocket--no matter what type it is--track straight up . They always kick over at ... [Read More]

    Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 1, Parts (2021-01-24)
    Here's an interesting model. High drag saucer shape.  It could be a great two stage rocket for a small field. The kit face card says it will reach 150 feet! I'd probably fly it with the A10-0t ... [Read More]

    Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 2, Forming The Shrouds (2021-01-25)
    The cardstock shrouds have a separate inside glue tab for a smooth outside joint. Rough up the glossy surface with some 400 grit sandpaper before applying glue. With a sanding block, square up the ... [Read More]

    Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 3, Saucer Bases (2021-01-25)
    The saucer bases have many holes to keep it lighter and slots for the fin tabs. Cut through the hold down tabs and remove the dots and rectangles. Some probably might think I go overboard trimming ... [Read More]

    Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 4, Saucers Assembly (2021-01-26)
    A test fit of the tube in the ring gave a loose fit.  A bead of glue was set on the inside edge to make the diameter a bit smaller and the fit tighter. Don't glue the tube in yet, the dried ... [Read More]

    Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 5, Leg Prep (2021-01-27)
    Be careful when doing test fits of the card stock fins. Look close at the tab, the outside layer of the cardstock has peeled back. I put a little bit of glue on the tab ends and burnished them down. ... [Read More]

    Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 6, Disk Bevels & Lunch Lug Prep (2021-01-28)
    You'll get a better fit of the shroud if the low disk edge is angled. On the left I'm not sanding. The shroud is just sitting on the ring and base - no glue yet. I'm using the shroud to get an idea ... [Read More]

    Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 7, Shroud Gluing (2021-01-29)
    It takes very little glue to adhere card stock to card stock. Just be sure there is glue on all the contact points. After the edge sanding/tapering in the last step, Notice the fit of the tapered ... [Read More]

    Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 8, Rings & Fin Gluing (2021-01-30)
    After the glue has dried, sand the top joint to even things out. Here's the assembled two saucer sections,  the tops - And the bottoms. This is one of those instances where I extend the fin ... [Read More]

    Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 9, Engine Blocks & Launch Lugs (2021-01-31)
    The instructions show the two yellow spacing tubes taped together. They are pictured pushing the lower engine block in place. I simply glued the lower engine block in the bottom, even with the end ... [Read More]

    Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 10, A Fix & Masking For Gluing (2021-02-01)
    In a previous post comment, Openroad mentioned he had encountered this same concern: While doing some test fitting, the short area next to the fin tab flexed and showed a wrinkle. I thought this ... [Read More]

    Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 11, Assembly & Decals (2021-02-02)
    After the assemblies were spray painted, the tape strips were removed. The gluing lines left open cardstock for better glue adhesion. The filler on the ring joints finished pretty well. Glue was ... [Read More]

    Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Finished (2021-02-03)
    No balsa in this one! All cardstock, Kraft tubes and a plastic nose cone. The rocket seems smaller than you'd think. The yellow and black décor is a good, high contrast. The nose cone is painted ... [Read More]