All Rocketry Blogs

Model Rocket Building: Make Your Own Engine Hooks Part 1 (2010-07-08)

Boy, I'm not going to make any points with vendors with this one! I've been dissapointed by the quality of some of the engine hooks I find in kits. To me, an engine hook should spring back over the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Make Your Own Engine Hooks Part 2 (2010-07-08)

You'll need pliers, a strong wire cutter, metal file and a standard 2 3/4" engine casing. Don't expect your first few tries to be usable. It'll take some practice to get the bend lengths right. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Make Your Own Engine Hooks Part 3 (2010-07-08)

In the picture, the bend you just made is to the left, out of frame. Take the engine casing and set it against that first bend. I use the casing only as a measuring device - note the pliers are not ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Make Your Own Engine Hooks Part 4 (2010-07-08)

Here's the hardest part - cutting off the hook. I use a strong wire cutter. You'll have to "guess-timate" the cut-off length. Practice will get it pretty close. If it's too long, you'll have trouble ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: TIP - Cutting Square Engine Hook Slots (2011-01-11)

I know some will read this and think it's a little extreme. I try to do my builds with clean internal and external construction. When cutting a 1/8" long slit for the upper bent end of the engine ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Engine Hook Idea from Greg Poehlein (2011-10-29)

Recently a member of the OldRockets@yahoogroups.com was asking about an engine hook that seemed too short for a newer Estes E engine. Greg Poehlein responded back with a great new idea of putting a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Engine Hook and Launch Lug on Same Side? TIP (2013-03-08)

A question was posted on TRF about new Estes kits. The Estes instructions have you line up the engine hook and launch lug on the same side. Genzod posted the question: "Why do they say in Estes ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Bad Engine Hooks (2013-03-26)

While picking out engine hooks for the Centurion Project I ran across a few engine hooks set aside from past kit builds. All of these will be thrown away - they're garbage! If you bend an engine ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: New Mini Engine Hook from Estes (2013-08-08)

From John Boren on TRF -  "Nothing earth shattering here but I thought I would share a couple images of the new mini engine hook that will be used on all mini engine kits from this point on ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: New Engine Hook Retention Tape? (2014-10-07)

An Email from Gary Minton: Hi Chris: Where did you get your aluminum sanding block & the ultra fine grit self adhesive sandpaper? I'm having a hard time finding them locally. On another issue: ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Modifying Estes Engine Hooks? TIP (2015-07-21)

If ever I run across a engine hook "finger tab", I cut it off and smooth the sharp edges with a metal file. On a model like the Estes Mercury Redstone the standing rocket will rest on the engine ... [Read More]