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 Rocketry Product: Estes - No. 2 Sky Writer {Kit} (1260)

Model Rocket Building: Carded MMX Estes Sky Writer Downscale (2010-07-12)

I drew and built this one today. If you'd like the PDF plans, email me at oddlrockets@bellsouth.net and I'll send it right out to you. You can make one right along with this build thread. This is a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Carded MMX Estes Sky Writer Post 2 (2010-07-12)

The fins were drawn slightly oversize. Go ahead and pre-crease the fold line while it's still on the sheet. With staight edge in place, run a dull butter knife or the rounded backside of a razor ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Carded MMX Estes Sky Writer Post 3 (2010-07-12)

Find some appropriate cardboard for the interior layer of your laminated fins. I mentioned cereal box cardboard, but most all dry food boxes could work well. This is not corrugated cardboard but the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Carded MMX Estes Sky Writer Post 4 (2010-07-13)

To roll cardstock tubes, I use Eric Truax's "dry iron" technique. When I first read about this technique I thought it couldn't work. I was very surprised by the great results. Here a smooth coating ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Carded MMX Estes Sky Writer Post 5 (2010-07-13)

Sometimes you'll have to take it a step farther. Heat up water to a boil then turn down the temperature to a very low boil. Steam should still be coming up from the water. Start the roll, stop, then ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Carded MMX Estes Sky Writer Post 6 (2010-07-13)

The iron melts the dried glue on the inside of the tube, sealing it up. It's a little like a glue gun. The glue sticks are dry until heated in the center of the gun. It doesn't take much pressure ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Carded MMX Estes Sky Writer Post 7 (2010-07-13)

To make the nose cone, I cut a piece from the same 1/4" dowel used to roll the tube. As it stands now, a nose cone made from the dowel would slide right inside the tube. A built up shoulder will fix ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Carded MMX Estes Sky Writer Post 8 (2010-07-14)

Cutting out those curves on the nose cone shoulder wrap is tight, so I got out my hole punch. Set on the smallest tube I could punch out the inside convex curves easily. The outside curves were cut ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Carded MMX Estes Sky Writer Post 9 (2010-07-14)

Now that the fins are dry, they can be cut out. Using the smaller side (already cut to size) as a cutting guide, use a straightedge and cut through all three layers. The picture shows the back after ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Carded MMX Estes Sky Writer Post 10 (2010-07-14)

Apply a bead of white glue to the outside and trailing edges of all four fins. This seals the edges and prevents any lifting of the plys . Let dry and sand with 400 grit sandpaper. Repeat with ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Carded MMX Estes Sky Writer Post 11 (2010-07-15)

I had a Quest MMX engine block left from an old parts order. I tied some 65 lb. Kevlar to the block and glued it in place so 1/8" of an MMX engine would stick out the back end. The Kevlar was run ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Carded MMX Estes Sky Writer LAUNCH! (2010-07-15)

That carded rocketry guy Eric Truax beat me to it! The day after I sent him the PDF on this rocket he had it built and flown twice! Thankfully, it was stable. He modified his with a cardstock nose ... [Read More]