All Rocketry Blogs

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Laser X, KV-33 Build, Background (2021-01-07)

I've built a Semroc Laser-X back around 2008, before I started the blog. It was a rocket I always wanted as a teenager, but somehow ended up with the Estes cousin - the Mars Snooper.  To see ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Laser X, KV-33 Build, Part 1, Parts? (2021-01-08)

Well, I don't have a parts picture. I thought I took one, but may have just dived into the build. This repro kit was produced by ERockets, I bought it from JonRocket.com. The bag was big and loose, ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Laser X, KV-33 Build, Part 2, Adapter Assemblies (2021-01-09)

You make two adapter assemblies, one for the engine mount, the other for the mid body adapter. The centering ring with the two holes is used in the upper adapter. A Kevlar loop is tied through the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Laser X, KV-33 Build, Part 3, Engine Mount (2021-01-10)

The engine hook slot was a stab with the tip of an X-Acto knife. TIP: I like to square up the opposite side of the stab using the backside of my X-Acto blade. This prevents tearing of the tube when ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Laser X, KV-33 Build, Part 4, Gluing Up Fins, Rounding Leading Edges (2021-01-11)

The instructions don't mention rounding the fin edges. Over the years I have developed a preference to round the leading edges. These are two piece fins - it's always a chore to round the inside ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Laser X, KV-33 Build, Part 5, Fin Filling & Gluing (2021-01-13)

The 1/16" thick pieces (upper fins, engine strakes and launch lug) were set on a taped board for a good shot of filler/primer. Here's the four larger fins, ready for their filler/primer coat. Notice ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Laser X, KV-33 Build, Part 6, Fin Spikes & Carded Shroud (2021-01-14)

Now that I'm using thicker fin stock, the toothpicks on the outside edge looked spindly. I decided to go with a 1/8" dowel. On the left: Why do they use overly sticky glue on the labels? I had to ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Laser X, KV-33 Build, Part 7, Fitting The Shroud (2021-01-15)

The scanned shroud was loaded into Corel Draw. Four slightly different sized were copied. Out of these four I should have one that will fit. Always dry fit shrouds before using any glue. Normally ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Laser X, KV-33 Build, Part 9, White & Black Paint (2021-01-17)

I couldn't see a good way to mask the smaller red fins with the cardstock black shroud right below it. I knew I had to paint these fins off the model and glue them on after the adapter was painted ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Laser X, KV-33 Build, Part 10, Small Red Fin Gluing (2021-01-18)

I'm doing the red masks in two separate sections, the upper body first. The upper fins were stuck down on masking tape on some cardboard. These photographed an orange color - the real red is shown ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Laser X, KV-33 Build, Part 11, Red Paint & Spikes (2021-01-19)

Here's the mask for the larger red fins -  Marked Scotch tape went into the root edges, Brown masking tape filled the areas between the fins, A plastic grocery bag was taped over the top. After ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Laser X, KV-33 Build, Part 12, Decals! (2021-01-20)

The vertical body decals are centered between the fins and upper roll pattern wrap decal. TIPS: Make a light pencil line at the center point on the body and the center point of the decal. Simply ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Laser X, KV-33 Build, Part 13, Comparing Old & New (2021-01-21)

It's always interesting to look back on an older build and evaluate your work over time. Throughout this post - On the left is the older build, the right side the new build. Here you can see the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Laser X, KV-33 Build, Finished? (2021-01-22)

Except for the "pink" decals, this new build turned out pretty well. The lower fins are thicker and stronger, the fin strake toothpicks are a better diameter. This wasn't built to be an exact clone. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Laser X, KV-33 Build, Decal Fix (2021-01-23)

I mentioned I wasn't happy with the opacity of the decals. It's especially noticeable on the upper red roll pattern decal. The vertical lettering doesn't look as bad.  I could have drawn and ... [Read More]