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-   -   Stellar Dimensions Kits (http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=18271)

5x7 01-25-2020 06:10 PM

Stellar Dimensions Kits
 
Stellar Dimensions kits on EBay
Link

5x7 01-25-2020 06:16 PM

9 Attachment(s)
These are the original square kits, made with interlocking laser cut plywood. I got two others in a hobby shop in the 90s. Rocket Reviews indicates the company started in 1995. The ones I have are the Xanadune and Sparrow.

The attached pictures are from the listing, I had never seen these four before, Vector, Phalanx, VR.T.GO, and Gyro Romo. The last two pics of the Avenger are from a later listing.

Initiator001 01-25-2020 08:25 PM

I recall this company had a brief existence.

I did pick up five or their kits: Spinnaker, Dartan, Vector, Avenger & Xanadune.

They're somewhere in the bowels of my collection.

5x7 01-25-2020 09:03 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Initiator001

They're somewhere in the bowels of my collection.

:chuckle:
I hope they were wrapped in plastic. :chuckle:
:chuckle: :chuckle:

BEC 01-25-2020 11:17 PM

Goodness....these came from just over on the other side of the valley from me. And I never heard of them until this thread.

I wonder if Rick Randol (New Way Spacemodels) is aware of them.

mycrofte 01-26-2020 07:29 AM

I didn't know they had closed.
_________________________

hcmbanjo 01-26-2020 10:39 AM

1 Attachment(s)
Here's the build of the Xanadune (finish to start) from 2011.
http://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.../label/Xanadune

These were probably some of the first kits to really take advantage of laser cut parts.
Some interesting construction, but as I remember the baffle didn't work very well.

Launch report from May, 2011:
With an Estes A8-3, it spun on the way up, the fins are canted.
At ejection, only the nose cone blew, the tightly packed parachute didn't eject. In that narrow midsection there is little room for a parachute.
Take a look at the casing pulled after the flight.
Most of the ejection charge blew out the back, down the open corners of the square bodied engine mount.

stefanj 01-26-2020 04:06 PM

I have one of these. Built, never "painted." I think it is the one in the second photo.

It recently resurfaced from my build box. I will give it a much longer shock cord and a little parachute.

It would probably fly OK on an A8-3.

Gus 01-27-2020 02:36 AM

1 Attachment(s)
Stellar Dimensions produced 10 kits in all. The square construction made motor retention somewhat interesting (no standard motor mount tubes included). But the kits were all very inventive and interesting.

Here is a copy of their "Catalog."

If anyone knows more info about the company, creator, I'd love to hear it.

And note the company motto, "Dare to be Square." Seems that made a comeback, LOL.

GuyNoir 01-27-2020 08:57 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gus
Stellar Dimensions produced 10 kits in all.


Hadn't seen the boost glider before. Anyone got plans / patterns they can share?

ghrocketman 01-27-2020 09:25 AM

Just because something is different, it by NO MEANS makes it worthwhile.

5x7 01-27-2020 10:47 AM

Thanks for the posting the catalog here!

DWolman 01-27-2020 07:49 PM

I have a different catalog for SDI, I believe it had fewer kits, but not sure if it was earlier or later.

Also have a few of the kits, I believe I bought them at a hobby shop in the mid to later 90’s. I remember a more sci-fi packaging that the kits were connected in a story line somehow.

Will try to dig them up when I have a chance...

Cape Byron 01-28-2020 08:51 PM

I sold a Spinnaker last year on Ebay when I was clearing out vintage kits. It went to a US customer and I got $8 AUD (about $5 US) for it.

PaulK 02-01-2020 08:21 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by 5x7
Stellar Dimensions kits on EBay
Link
Cool - I've heard of these, but never built one - with the reasonable price, I ordered an Avenger. Thanks for pointing this listing out.

Bluegrass Rocket 02-04-2020 11:51 PM

I found out more info about Stellar Dimensions after I started NewWay. I had always wanted to go the way of traditional cardboard tube and nose, just square. Stellar had a patent on making rockets using flat laser cut parts to create a square rocket. The engine hook was a circle with 4 tabs on it that you put at the bottom of the motor and twisted the tabs into slots on the the tube. Not sure what happened exactly but, I believe the guy who started it and had done all the work had health problems. Several years back that guys brother had Stellar Dimensions for sale on eBay. The sale included all the laser cut files, artwork and hundreds of already laser cut parts. I thought since I was doing square tube rockets I should own Stellar as well. I didn’t get it. It sold for $500.00 which was too much for me at that time. So, someone has been sitting on it for years now.

Gus 02-05-2020 12:34 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluegrass Rocket
I found out more info about Stellar Dimensions after I started NewWay. I had always wanted to go the way of traditional cardboard tube and nose, just square. Stellar had a patent on making rockets using flat laser cut parts to create a square rocket. The engine hook was a circle with 4 tabs on it that you put at the bottom of the motor and twisted the tabs into slots on the the tube. Not sure what happened exactly but, I believe the guy who started it and had done all the work had health problems. Several years back that guys brother had Stellar Dimensions for sale on eBay. The sale included all the laser cut files, artwork and hundreds of already laser cut parts. I thought since I was doing square tube rockets I should own Stellar as well. I didn’t get it. It sold for $500.00 which was too much for me at that time. So, someone has been sitting on it for years now.
Rick,
Do you happen to know the name of the fellow who started Stellar Dimensions?

BARGeezer 02-05-2020 02:26 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by GuyNoir
Hadn't seen the boost glider before. Anyone got plans / patterns they can share?

Plans for that and two others are at YORP:
https://www.oldrocketplans.com/sdi.htm

Bluegrass Rocket 02-05-2020 09:24 AM

Steve, I did not learn the guys name. Maybe through a patent search? I’m not sure what or how their patent was worded though.

Jerry Irvine 02-05-2020 09:25 PM

I don't care about square tube rockets, but some people do. My local tube company makes them all the time and I would cheerfully have some made and ship to someone willing to redistribute them, have laser cut centering rings made, I have plenty of fins and these days printed nose cones might be the way to go.

I don't think anyone cares enough to take me up on my offer.

Jerry

Gus 02-05-2020 09:39 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluegrass Rocket
Steve, I did not learn the guys name. Maybe through a patent search? I’m not sure what or how their patent was worded though.


I posted the question on the NAR site on Facebook and someone pointed me to the Manufacturers page for Stellar Dimensions on Rocket Reviews. Original owner of Stellar Dimensions was Patrick Spence. Apparently he now lives in Minnesota and runs an Alpaca farm. No word yet as to who bought the company.

Steve

BARGeezer 04-05-2020 01:56 PM

3 Attachment(s)
Thought I would share this. Picked up 5 SDI kits on the EBay listing in post #1. Built 3 so far, the Vr-T-Go, Phalanx, and Gyro Nomo (first pic.)
Close-up of the laser etched design on the Vr-T-Go (second pic).
Close up of the twist lock teflon ring used as a motor retainer (third pic).
My thoughts:
Shock cord is way too short.
Lug guides, shock cord anchor, and motor mount seem quite fragile.
Unique shroud line attachment method seems quite sturdy.
Fun builds, I have the Vector and Avenger in my build pile. Will keep me busy during the rest of this lockdown. Update with a pic will be posted upon completion.
Stay safe, don't be a Covidiot.


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