Status so far:
- The cardboard Quik-Tube has been fiberglassed and the payload bay has been cut. I should probably square the ends up better, but the cuts are made at least. It’s funny that in my whole machine shop I really don’t have a good tool for cutting or squaring an 8″ cardboard tube.
- My rocket design has been approved by one of the TAP members that I’ll need to sign my Tripoli certification papers.
- The second altimeter (a G-Wiz MC2) has been purchased and received. This will be the main flight computer, with my Perfectflite MiniAlt/WD backing it up.
- The motor (a Loki Research M1882) and propellant have been ordered. Neither has been charged to my credit card yet.
Started on the fins today. I’d hoped to get one knocked out but I realized my mill is too small to cut the fin out when you add the mounting tab. Argh. The first fin blank I made by sandwiching copper-clad G10 FR4 fiberglass (1/16″) around a layer of 2mm Cell Foam. I think the materials are good. The first blank I made used CA glue (superglue, to the layman) to hold it together. For the rest of the fins I will probably use a very thin layer of epoxy instead — the CA holds the foam on very strong, but it’s basically impossible to coat the entire surface with CA, so in my opinion the sandwich’s structural integrity is compromised.
What else? Got the keys to the new place today, and moved 3 small boxes. Heh. Moving stinks.
