All Rocketry Blogs

 Rocketry Product: Estes - Der Red Max {Kit} (651) [2007-]

Model Rocket Building: Carded Red Max Build, Part 2, Fin Core Prep (2017-05-23)

My early art layout page had a LOT of extras. The body tube wraps are printed on 20 lb. paper, the fin overlays are printed on 110 lb. stock. Lightly spray the print side with clear acrylic. The ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Carded Red Max Build, Part 3, Fin Skin Folding (2017-05-24)

To emboss the leading edge fold line sometimes I use the back side of a single edge razor blade. The sharp side is taped over with layers of masking tape. Any rough burrs are sanded off before ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Carded Red Max Build, Part 4, Fin Skin Gluing (2017-05-25)

Don't use liquid white glue to attach the skins! Use a glue stick. TIP: Glue sticks don't over saturate the paper or card stock. They also allow re-positioning before the glue dries. I use the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Carded Red Max Build, Part 5, Fin Skin Gluing (2017-05-26)

The upper picture shows the three layers viewed from the root edge. Use your burnisher to round off the cut side edges. This won't be a full round like the folded leading edge. The burnishing just ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Carded Red Max Build, Part 6, Tube Wrap (2017-05-27)

The final BT-5 length is 2 13/16" long. You might find it easier to use a piece of tube about 5" long and trim it to the size of the wrap after it is glued on. Without using any glue check the fit ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Carded Red Max Build, Part 7, Ends & Edges (2017-05-28)

A small notch was cut into an engine block and some 65 lb. Kevlar tied on with a square knot. A 13mm engine casing was marked at 1/8". Normally an engine could extend 1/4" out the back but that ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Carded Red Max Build, Part 8, Glued Assembly (2017-05-28)

The black fin position lines were lightly scraped for better glue adhesion. At the paper seam joint on the launch lug, the seam was sanded. The fin lines were also scraped and the fins glued on. On ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Carded Red Max Build, Finished (2017-05-29)

Here's the cliche picture you'd take to show how small it really is - Only 5 3/16" tall and weighs .33 oz. Much of the weight is the clay in the nose cone. The nose end picture shows a mistake! Can ... [Read More]