Ye Olde Rocket Forum

Go Back   Ye Olde Rocket Forum > Work Bench > Building Techniques
User Name
Password
Auctions Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts Search Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-17-2005, 12:38 AM
Bob Thomas's Avatar
Bob Thomas Bob Thomas is offline
Compulsive BAR
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Westchester Co. NY
Posts: 238
Send a message via MSN to Bob Thomas Send a message via Yahoo to Bob Thomas
Default Improvising, Finding "Gold" in your Garbage

I was just hoping that other "rocket scientists" like me have had success with making needed parts out of junk. I mentioned in one post about a certain blue mouthwash bottle cap being a great transition piece for larger BTs and will be a boat-tail cone on an upcoming concept. Then there are the engine clips cut from the steel reinforcing bars used on most wiper blade refills. There are zillions of things to use and I think this would be the place to share. I have a helluva time finding/fabricating silly stuff like centering rings for odd tubes, as I am sure many of you have too. Post your ideas or experiences for others to draw from. My apologies to the vendors, but I know you are enthusiasts as well.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-17-2005, 07:24 AM
EchoVictor's Avatar
EchoVictor EchoVictor is offline
Old School Rocketeer
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 604
Default

There's all sorts of interesting stuff out there if you can envision it.

Right now I'm working on turning an industrial caulk gun nozzle into a BT-50 sized nose cone. Pictures to follow....

Later,
EV
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-17-2005, 07:51 AM
Phred's Avatar
Phred Phred is offline
GET GOONY!!
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 616
Default

I save the pull tabs from milk cartons... cut off the pull ring and you have a great radar dish... or a 'landing pad'. My 3 yr old neice calls them 'rocket shoes'.

Phred
__________________
Just some guy.....

GET GOONY!!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-17-2005, 11:43 AM
EchoVictor's Avatar
EchoVictor EchoVictor is offline
Old School Rocketeer
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 604
Default

Another great radar dish-maker are the 2 cut-out pieces you have leftover when you make a rocket with Shrox's ping-pong ball trick.

For those having trouble finding 3/32" dowels - Use fondue skewers.

At a wooden craft shop, look for the small pieces they sell in the tiny bags and get yourself some half-egg pieces. Sand it on the flat and you've got a decent looking aircraft cockpit.

Chopsticks (square or round) make good details or structure beams on bigger rockets.

Soon, I'm going to try to make ramjet nozzles out of the little plastic caps on the tips of certain glue bottles.

Later,
EV
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-17-2005, 04:43 PM
barone's Avatar
barone barone is offline
Master Modeler
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Bartlett, TN
Posts: 3,352
Send a message via Yahoo to barone
Default

You know those little containers of artificial cream you can get with your coffe at restaurants? They make great looking rocket nozzles.......

Don
NAR 53455
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-17-2005, 06:40 PM
Tweener's Avatar
Tweener Tweener is offline
Out To Launch
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ottawa, Ohio
Posts: 281
Default

Years ago I used an old beat-up camera tripod with a broken leg to make my first "D" capable launch pad. I just spread the legs out as far as they would go leaving them collapsed, bolted a block of wood on top with 3/16" and 1/8" holes drilled in it for a launch rod, then slipped the old Centuri-style blast deflector down over the rod.
__________________
John Lance Ladd
Yoyodyne Propulsion Systems
Grovers Mill, NJ
Established 1938
lladd.netau.net
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-17-2005, 09:52 PM
EchoVictor's Avatar
EchoVictor EchoVictor is offline
Old School Rocketeer
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 604
Default

As promised, pics of the caulk-nozzle nose cone.

That's a BT-50 balsa coupler that press-fit right in the back. Some glue and a screw eye, and I'm all set!

Later,
EV
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:  DSC00982.JPG
Views: 159
Size:  61.5 KB  Click image for larger version

Name:  DSC00984.JPG
Views: 163
Size:  62.9 KB  
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-17-2005, 09:55 PM
A Fish Named Wallyum A Fish Named Wallyum is offline
BP Mafia
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ft. Thomas, KY
Posts: 8,596
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by barone
You know those little containers of artificial cream you can get with your coffe at restaurants? They make great looking rocket nozzles.......

Don
NAR 53455


I don't know. The cream adds a lot of extra weight at the back end.
__________________
Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Centuri Design Contest F-150 Hurricane Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Gee'Hod, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc Starfighter Scorpion Estes F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Solar Sailer II Semroc Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark, Snake Jumper
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-17-2005, 09:56 PM
A Fish Named Wallyum A Fish Named Wallyum is offline
BP Mafia
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ft. Thomas, KY
Posts: 8,596
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by EchoVictor
As promised, pics of the caulk-nozzle nose cone.

That's a BT-50 balsa coupler that press-fit right in the back. Some glue and a screw eye, and I'm all set!

Later,
EV



That's pretty sharp looking. What's the brand name on the caulk?
__________________
Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Centuri Design Contest F-150 Hurricane Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Gee'Hod, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc Starfighter Scorpion Estes F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Solar Sailer II Semroc Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark, Snake Jumper
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11-18-2005, 08:10 AM
EchoVictor's Avatar
EchoVictor EchoVictor is offline
Old School Rocketeer
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 604
Default

I have no idea. A bunch of these were sitting on our business manager's desk, and I asked him if I could have one. I'll try and find out where they came from, and to see if I can score a few more.

Later,
EV
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:20 PM.


Powered by: vBulletin Version 3.0.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe © 1998-2024