Scratch Building Parts???

[James Pierson]

Being a scratch builder I am always looking for new and inexpensive sources for parts for my rocket building. Mainly for detail parts such as wing pods, guns mounts, and other body details. I mainly look in thrift stores, dollar stores, and craft stores.

What are some of the PARTS and SOURCES that you folks have found in your scratch building adventures?

Here are some of mine:

1/8” x 8” lollipop sticks (Wal-Mart)
Fosters Mini Dowels (Michael’s)
Fosters Woodsies Shapes (Michael’s)
Ping Pong Balls
Foam and Styro Balls (Michael’s)
Cake Mate Decorating Tips for NC-5 (dollar store)

James Pierson NAR #77907

[Bob H]

I get Q-tips with the 6" long wooden sticks. They can be ordered in a box of 1000 from the pharmacy.

They make great glue swabs and after use, you can cut the swab off the end of the stick and you're left with 5.75" long mini dowels.

Candelabra style light bulbs come in a blister pack and the packaging can be cut down to make clear canopies for jet fighter style rockets.

[James Pierson]

WOW! great tip with the light bulb packaging Bob.
I had never thought of that one before.

I have sometimes use bamboo sticks found in the grocery store and used them for dowels.

James Pierson NAR #77907

[Rocketking]

Regarding the 'q-tip' idea, Some of the dollar-store special q-tips are good for micro-sized launch lugs. I guess the manufaturers are using tubing rather than 'dowel-type' solid sticks these days... Anybody else doing this? Micro-Maxx sizing of kits? Fliskits is scheduling the minikit releases soon.

[James Pierson]

Thanks for the good tip Rocketking. I personally have not tried any Micro Maxx rockets. I seem have too many ideas and too little building time these days.

I have thought of a few more scrap parts sources though:

1/8" and 1/4" paper "Art Straws: (Online School Suppliers)
Paper washers ( Ace nut and bolt isle)
teflon and rubber O rings ( Ace also)
Gum Ball machine dispencer cups
golf tee's
variaus size wooden beads (wife's bead box :D )
Various plastic straws
Plastic whistleing straws (dollar store)
Various plastic medical containers (dentist)

to be continued:

James Pierson NAR #77907

[Bob H]

WOW! great tip with the light bulb packaging Bob.
I had never thought of that one before.

I wrote a small article with pictures on how to make bubble canopies from light bulb packaging and posted it on EMRR.

link to article (http://www.rocketreviews.com/featured/tip_featured5.shtml)

[James Pierson]

Great article BOb. I put it in my favotites for futere use. I really like the shape of these conopies. Kind of a vintage starfighter look.

I was looking through my rocketry journal the other day and found and idea I had but have never tested. This idea is to wrap some wax paper around a desired BT and place some clay on it. Then shape the clay to a canopy form. Next is to cover the clay with a couple of coated of 5 minute epoxy and let dry. Next remove the conopy and scoop out the clay. Trim the sides of the conopy and call it done. Until time allows its just an idea.

James Pierson
NAR #77907