All Rocketry Blogs

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 3, Centering Rings (2014-06-30)

You are advised to mark the rings - A good idea. I didn't pack a ruler broken down into hundredths. The instruction drawing is full size and a better reference over pencil markings anyway. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 1, Parts (2014-06-28)

Here's the one kit I packed for Mexico. It's small with strong tubes. I could put this into my carry-on bag for a more gentle transit on the plane. With the available skins there is no filling or ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 2, Engine Mount and Marking (2014-06-29)

The internal BT-2.5 (motor mount) tube is cut to 3 5/8" long. A piece of paper was wrapped and taped for a marking guide. This tubing is small and strong. It cut very easily.   The ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 4, Body Wraps Before Cutting - Wrong! (2014-07-01)

  The glue stick I bought for this trip was crap! The Staples stick didn't lay down an even glue coat. You could never smooth this mess out. Travel TIP : If you are stuck in Mexico and need ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 5, Tube Segment Cutting - Wrong! (2014-07-02)

Again, this is not the correct way to do it! In the next post I follow the directions and do it right -  I used the A Section cutting guide to mark the low end of the BT-5. This lowest ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 6, Tube Marking and Cutting (2014-07-03)

On the first try, I didn't mark the long internal engine mount tube with red and black lines. (Parts 4 & 5) Heck, I'm stuck in Mexico and don't know where to find the fine tip pens. I used ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 7, Tube Cutting (2014-07-04)

After cutting, lightly sand the cut ends flat. The fit of these segments is important. Make clean cuts and don't sand off any more than you have to. Here's the edge sanding before and ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 8, Skins and Fitting (2014-07-05)

Before removing the cutting guide wraps, mark the inside of each segment. The "AB" inside the tube stands for A Section - B ottom. It's easy to get these mixed up and it would be a jigsaw puzzle ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 9, Base Shroud Forming (2014-07-06)

The shroud was pre-curled in the heel of my hand, by rolling a dowel over the paper. The gluing tab on the base shroud tail cone is narrow! I wouldn't recommend using white glue on this, use a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 10, Base Shroud and Fit (2014-07-07)

The base ring is glued onto the "A" tube segment. Be sure the launch lug hole in the ring lines up with the penciled launch lug line. In the picture at the right it was incorrect! I had the base ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 11, First Try Test Nose Cone (2014-07-08)

To make a practice cone some 24 lb. paper was taped beneath the kit supplied thicker stock. By cutting through the single kit cone pattern I'll also cut a second practice cone on the paper ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 12, Shorten the Inside Tube (2014-07-09)

After over sanding the segment angles for the best fit,  I ended up with the internal tube a little long. The top ring could be moved down about 1/16" and be closer to what was intended in ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 13, The Real Nose Cone (2014-07-10)

NOTE: You won't be using all the provided clay in the nose cone! The instructions don't mention this. There is just not enough room to fit it all in. You still need space to recess and glue in the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 14, Launch Lug Hole TIP and Fix (2014-07-10)

Cutting an elliptical launch lug hole in a base shroud is always dicey - especially at this small size. On a larger model I'd use my adjustable punch at the top and bottom of the lug cutout. This ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 15, Launch Lug Hole TIP and Fix (2014-07-12)

I did my best to open up the long oval hole but I was cutting through two layers of paper. More of the oval was removed until the inserted lug wouldn't distort the shroud. The oval edges weren't ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 16, Gluing The Segments (2014-07-13)

Finally - gluing the body segments! Even though the instructions specify lining up the seams with the red and black lines on the interior tube, my edges didn't match up exactly. I ended up ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 17, Lug & Kevlar Tie (2014-07-14)

The illustration in Step 18 shows the lug hanging out the back end. Step 17 tells you to have the lug end flush with the bottom of the ring. Step 19 shows the lug even with the bottom ring. The ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 18, Fin Skins (2014-07-15)

Before you think about rounding the leading edge (for a smoother cover of the skins) - Double check the fins on the printed skin page. I rounded what I thought was a leading edge - it was the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 19, Fin Skins (2014-07-16)

A "soft" embossed fold was scored on the inside of the skin with the rounded tip of a butter knife. The wraps and fin skins were printed on 24 lb. paper so use a light touch. The new glue stick ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Build, Part 20, Fin Gluing (2014-07-17)

The fin shapes are a little confusing, all four are different. I had to set them into the original laser cut cardstock piece to be sure. The fins were tacked on using very little glue. (See ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Fliskits MACME Shrew Finished (2014-07-18)

For a MicroMaxx model, this one won't get any great altitudes. But it doesn't have to. It is stout and heavier than most MMX kit designs. Getting all the segments to line up takes time, even on ... [Read More]