All Rocketry Blogs

Model Rocket Building: Tools! Part 3 (2012-11-17)

I use these so often now, I don't know how I got by without them before. Q-Tips (or cotton swabs) are great for picking up excess glue. At the top of a fin, where the leading edge meets the body ... [Read More]

Rocket N00b: Removing Sandpaper From an Aluminum Sanding Block (2016-09-18)

A few weeks ago, on Twitter , I was asked: "@rocketn00b Can you tell me which spray adhesive you use to stick sandpaper to your aluminum sanding block so it isn't permanently stuck?" Mark ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: My Vacu-form History (2017-02-13)

While this post should be on the Odd'l Rockets Blogsite, I wanted to share it here. I owned a Mattel Vacu-form "toy" when I very young and got great results with it.  With the Vacu-form it took ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Vacu-Form Success! (2017-02-14)

I ended up buying a small commercial vacu-forming machine. This self-contained unit plugs in and handles the heating and forming operations. The heating plate is directly above and close to the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Worse X-Acto Product Ever! (2017-06-14)

I couldn't find my pencil sharpener. I wanted to sharpen some dowels. I walked to the grocery store and found this. I figured I'd go the extra money and get the X-Acto brand pencil sharpener. ... [Read More]

Blast From The Past: My Newest Rocket Building Tool Ever. (2018-12-29)

Now that the hustle and bustle of the Holiday season is nearly over, I have finally found some time to sit down and write a quick post, and even squeeze in a little shop time to work on some rocket ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Where Are My GOOD Scissors? (2019-09-09)

Did you ever hear that when you were a kid? There could be three sets of scissors in that junk drawer, but they weren't "the GOOD Scissors!" TIP: Don't cut Kevlar lines with your Mom's best ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Tools - The Essentials, Straight Edge Rulers (2019-10-28)

Here's what most of us start with, the cheap wooden ruler. That thin strip of metal set into the edge won't last as a metal straight edge. After you've cut out a few fins, the thin edge will slip ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Tools - The Essentials, Razor Saw (2019-11-11)

Not much to say about this one, it does come in handy. The red plastic handle is an X-Acto #5. Buy a blade with the finest, smallest teeth you can find. A good blade can last for many years. I've ... [Read More]

Blast From The Past: A Nifty Technique For Precision Marking (2019-11-21)

Since I am now seriously back in the swing of working on the Steampunk Protostar build, I noted that, while marking out new riveted panels, I was utilizing a technique that I would like to share ... [Read More]

Thrifty Rocketeer: Stir Sticks and Other Delights (2019-12-03)

The Thrifty Rocketeer continues... Our tail of the construction of the fins for the Bunny Rabbit Goonie (thank you, Peter Alway) will continue next week.... But first, another side diversion into ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Tools, The Essentials - Sharpies! (2019-12-25)

Sharpies have turned out to be a valuable multi-purpose tool. Fine Point Sharpies can be used to outline difficult black masking jobs, like the corrugation on the Saturn V. If your sprayed black ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Tools, The Essentials - Q-Tips (2019-12-30)

If you've followed the blog, you know I go through a lot of Q-tips. I buy the cheap ones at the Dollar Tree Store, 350 for $1.00. * I use them to pick up glue blobs, where my finger can't reach. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: New Sanding Block from Apogee (2020-01-28)

The Great Planes Easy Touch Sanding Block is probably my most valuable rocket building tool. I have two of them on my bench, one with 220 grit, the other has 400 grit. They haven't been produced ... [Read More]

Thrifty Rocketeer: "You Used Up ALL THE GLUE...." (2021-01-06)

 The Thrifty Rocketeer blog continues... No, this isn't another glue war thread. You know how when you mix up 5 or 15 minute epoxy and you're applying it, and you've just about run out, ... [Read More]