Hello all:
I just received my Nike Apache from Cosomodrome rocketry-I'm lovin it except for the step to um, bevel those gorgeous diamond shaped fins. I have stock to practice with so I'm good there. I understand the concept of drawing out the actual shape or start point of the bevel onto the fin but was wondering if a tool such as a razor plane would be recommended. I do own a bench sander but would like to stay away from the idea a jigs since learning the old skool way seems much more rewarding to me.

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"That's considerably more than minor, David"

Haven't tried this, but read about it in multiple places if you want a crisp bevel: lightly draw the line where you want the bevel to stop on the fin surface. Lay a piece of masking tape along that line, and sand with a block. The tape will prevent you from sanding the surface, leaving a nice sharp demarcation. If you tear into the tape just peel it off and lay a new one down.

In re-reading your post I'm not sure if this actually answers your question or not, since a razor plane will slice right into the tape...so if not, sorry!

I used a belt sander to rough out the shape. Then a sanding block with 100 grit to get it close. Finished up with 220 git.
I'm not sure a razor plane will be very affective on plywood.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Tony Vincent
NAR # 45082 L1
CMASS, MMMSC Member

I always use the tape method myself, put a few layers on there, to avoid sanding through just one layer.

Of course you can always build up the truly scale fins from 12 or 13 pcs each , like my brother did .....

Not sureif the Cosmodrome instructions mention the fins also taper from the foot to the tip, the FSI NIke TOmahawk instructions mention that iirc....

Have at it ( and have fun, sand them til you;re happy and let it look good )

~ AL

Those look awesome!!! Thanks for this picture as it makes a great reference.

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"That's considerably more than minor, David"

Yes, don't remind me about that additional taper......
Thanks for this tip, Al! I have some old dynamo tape which is plastic yet very flexible.

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"That's considerably more than minor, David"

I found this link:
http://www.rocketryplanet.com/index...=2029&Itemid=38

It looks great and gave me an idea to just try and mount a aluminum T square to my vise, attach two pieces of sanding paper into the v shaped channel and have at it!

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"That's considerably more than minor, David"

Do you mean tape for the Dymo label machine? I remember it being stiff, but very tough. And perhaps difficult to remove when you are done with it.


Bill

Yes Bill-That's the oldskool plastic tape. Actually, if cut into thin strips it become quite flexible. We use it all the time to rescribe panel lines in plastic aircraft models. The scribing tool follows the edges of the tape and acts like a guide with perfect results.

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"That's considerably more than minor, David"

I never thought of cutting it in narrow strips. <filing that information away>


Bill