Hex-3 Build-- Part 2: Folding Paper

The Thrifty Rocketeer continues...

 This is the second part of a simple build thread for the Hex-3... an alternative rocket kit that is more of a platform lifter with tumble recovery.  The skill level is 3, but I have thought this is not that difficult.

 Now, we've already assembled the motor mount, and punched out the hexagonal base plate, which we used to check the alignment for the motor mount and spring clip.  Now, I've actually skipped a step in the last installment.  I decided NOT to cut out the Tube Marking Guide, instead eyeballing and checking the alignment directly. *(To do so would also have marred the instructions, as it would cut up the panel we begin with today... fold and glue legs.)

 First, carefully cut out the three legs from the card stock.  In my case, I used an Exacto knife and a metal edged ruler to make most of the slices that could be done by the scissors.
(I also went ahead and cut out the main body from the next card sheet at the same time.)

 I'd like to point out that the folding of each fold on the leg/girders and then the main body took four full pages of instructions in an 8 page instruction booklet.  I made one error by skipping ahead and intuiting the folding. Estes could have reduced these images and the instructions by at least two pages, in my estimation.  Again, I don't think this is rocket science and it's not that hard. (I'm just rushing to try to get this completed in only three installments of this blog, in the free time I have this weekend to finish it.)

 The instructions tell you to use a straight edge, like a ruler to align the fold on the legs.  I found a metal straight edge on the ruler worked best for me to fold against and also crease the glossy card stock.  It worked reasonably well, except I missed a minor positioning....

 Essentially, we're folding a triangular girder, so obviously, the white panels will glue together. I incorrectly assumed the short trapezoid was to be folded back inside the resulting girder for better strength.  It was instead intended to be only partially folded back and used in the NEXT episode as a third tab to glue against the main body.

 I used wood glue to glue this girder/leg together.  And I also went ahead and glued the main body together... but held it as it became tacky and held. I also then made even more firm creases along the fold, in preparation for the attachment to the base platform.

 At this point, you can see how the craft will come together.

  As the final step in this installment, we're going to adhere the base platform to the main body, and let it dry for the evening.  That will allow us to insert the motor mount next installment, as well as attach the three legs.  But that's for the next blog entry.


 Until then, keep your glue capped and save your excess balsa scrap (even though there is none this rocket kit) ...cause you never know when you're going to need it!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The End of the Line

Image
 The Thrifty Rocketeer blog continues... Well, for years, the state of the model rocket industry relied upon plans and patterns that were photocopied or printed out, and then applied to standard sheets of balsa to be cut out. Eventually, the various parts for various sized rockets were packaged in groups or blister packs, and sold at hobby shops across the nation.  The emphasis was on home brew or building a rocket to specifications and plans. Eventually, entire kits were pre-packaged, with all the parts that one would need.  And then, laser cut shapes, fins or parts were already pre-cut, doing away with the need for most of the patterns and tracing. So what happened to all those bags and bister packs of parts of rockets?  That is, a baggie of various nose cones... or connectors... or transitions or more ?   Many of  those packages remain at your local mom and pop hobby store, just waiting for someone to come in and buy some of their pegboard stock....
Read more

sleeping with the enemy

Image
 The Thrifty Rocketeer blog continues... First thing I did when they put in a Hobby Lobby in my smaller metropolitan town, 40 miles away, was to grab an application to work there.  Now I know what you're thinking... "How could you?  Who would want to work for that conservative corporation?".. as my daughter would say.  And you'd be partially right. I saved the application and took note of the mailing address. Within the first month or so, most of the initial buying frenzy was over, having sold out of some things, but not everything.   But it seemed nothing new was getting restocked. So, I got on my word processor and wrote a letter to the store management, THANKING them for bringing the store to our isolated metro area. I pointed out that many of the items had sold through completely, and how much we had appreciated their stocking rockets. Then I also encouraged them to restock and consider expanding the display, pointing to the fact that as rocketeers grow...
Read more

Death of a Hobby

Image
 The Thrifty Rocketeer blog continues... No, this is not a column about how Model Rocketry is a dying hobby.  It's actually about another sister hobby that sometimes overlaps into Rocketry. I'm talking about Amateur Radio. Just this last weekend, our local Ham Radio club held a "swap meet" which is commonly called a Hamfest.  These gatherings to buy and sell used equipment, parts and visit old friends typically happen just once a year and in the absence of the late Radio Shack, is one of the only places to find parts and electronic elements. There is also testing held to advance to higher licenses. The admission varies depending on the club, their overhead, expense of renting the hall or venue, and the number of tables that they can sell to area vendors who will drive across state with their wares to set up for the half day show. It's not uncommon for amateur radio operators to drive across state to attend, pay admission and get a single entry into the door prize ...
Read more