This is exactly what I needed. That's for taking us through the whole process. I'm just getting into model rockets and have my sights set on modeling the dimensions of real rockets. Unfortunately, that means making custom parts in some cases. Seems like this is a great way to create a light weight and durable custom design.
Glad I could help. I have never made any parts other than nose cone with this method but I always thought it would be a good way to make just about any shape part.
Why not using fiberglass along with the epoxy ? It would strengthen it a LOT. Furthermore, applying the next coat while the previous one still slightly tacky makes for a much better adhesion. The method is pretty neat though. To dissolve the foam, you could have used acetone : lot quicker and cleaner
I have used a variation of this process to make nose cones. I put a 1" ring of the body tube near the drill chuck and used gaffer tape to attach the ring to the chuck. That way you don't need to remove the nose cone from the chuck to check the fit.
If you had used a wood dowel instead of the metal rod to turn it, you could have just cut off the dowel and leave it in the nose cone, giving a great place to screw in a screw eye for the shock cord and the parachute.
Interesting video. Looks like the resin procedure would work around a lightweight 3D printed nosecone and give it the same strength and smooth surface.
Great point. I believe that would work well. I have always thought this system would work for oddly shaped nosecones. You could even hand shape a block of foam into something fancy and coat it.
Next time, mount the eye bolt to the cardboard with another nut to hold it in place, then glue the card board in the nose cone. Then you can pour the resin to hold it in place. Also, I would have squared off the bottom rough area before putting the eyebolt in. Make it a little easier to clean up the bottom.
All good suggestions. At this point, we have moved on to 3D printing our nose cones. A lot easier and a lot faster. But if someone doesn't have access to 3D printing, this epoxy method does work well.
thanks so much for this i am definitely doing this for my next rocket. do you think i could use a hand drill in a vice intead of a drill press? also is their any other way to cut the wood shaping tool than a bandsaw? because i dont have one.
You should be able to use a hand drill in a vice. I have done that before. You have to clamp it pretty tight so it does not move when you are pushing with the shape tool so be careful not to break your drill. You could use a jigsaw to cut the shaping tool. I suppose you could also use a thin hand saw too and then just clean up the final shape on a belt sander or even by hand with a file or sand paper. A lot more work but you only have to make the tool once and can use it to make as many nosecones as you want.
@@rotaryrocketry ok thanks so much for the reply. i think i will cut the tool with a very thin hand saw very carefully and finish with a file and sandpaper.
It's not very much... especially considering this type of epoxy typically comes in gallons or 1/2 gallons. You will need about 1 Tablespoon for the first coat because the surface is rough. The additional coats will need less... maybe around 2 teaspoons. In short... You mix up really small amounts for each coat. It is very important to put on a lot of coats because each one is extremely thin after it has time to run and drip off.
Sometimes you need to add weight to a nose cone to help adjust the center of gravity for a rocket. The straw allows you to add small weights like BBs and epoxy.
Straight sides would work fine too. Just paper alone would not be strong enough but you could certainly use a thicker type paper and coat that in epoxy resin. The foam is a good option if you want to make a custom shape nose cone because you can just shave it into any shape you desire.
This is a awesome DIY video...a little acetone inside the nose cone will melt the foam completely...nice video....👍
Years ago I had my students use knit fabric from old T-shirts and Elmer's glue for reinforcing the foam...safe for even young kids to do.
This is exactly what I needed. That's for taking us through the whole process. I'm just getting into model rockets and have my sights set on modeling the dimensions of real rockets. Unfortunately, that means making custom parts in some cases. Seems like this is a great way to create a light weight and durable custom design.
Glad I could help. I have never made any parts other than nose cone with this method but I always thought it would be a good way to make just about any shape part.
Why not using fiberglass along with the epoxy ? It would strengthen it a LOT. Furthermore, applying the next coat while the previous one still slightly tacky makes for a much better adhesion. The method is pretty neat though.
To dissolve the foam, you could have used acetone : lot quicker and cleaner
Acetone is also great for removing cured epoxy. I think mechanical material removal methods used in video is the way to go here.
@@boogiesg acetone won't dissolve cured epoxy ! You need to sand it once it's cured. Acetone is used only when you ve just applied the coat
perfect idea!
I have used a variation of this process to make nose cones. I put a 1" ring of the body tube near the drill chuck and used gaffer tape to attach the ring to the chuck. That way you don't need to remove the nose cone from the chuck to check the fit.
If you had used a wood dowel instead of the metal rod to turn it, you could have just cut off the dowel and leave it in the nose cone, giving a great place to screw in a screw eye for the shock cord and the parachute.
Awesome job
Hey drew
@@buraqaerospace9945 Hey Buraq
@@BowsersCloset Hey drew
Interesting video. Looks like the resin procedure would work around a lightweight 3D printed nosecone and give it the same strength and smooth surface.
Great point. I believe that would work well. I have always thought this system would work for oddly shaped nosecones. You could even hand shape a block of foam into something fancy and coat it.
Next time, mount the eye bolt to the cardboard with another nut to hold it in place, then glue the card board in the nose cone. Then you can pour the resin to hold it in place.
Also, I would have squared off the bottom rough area before putting the eyebolt in. Make it a little easier to clean up the bottom.
All good suggestions. At this point, we have moved on to 3D printing our nose cones. A lot easier and a lot faster. But if someone doesn't have access to 3D printing, this epoxy method does work well.
thanks so much for this i am definitely doing this for my next rocket. do you think i could use a hand drill in a vice intead of a drill press? also is their any other way to cut the wood shaping tool than a bandsaw? because i dont have one.
You should be able to use a hand drill in a vice. I have done that before. You have to clamp it pretty tight so it does not move when you are pushing with the shape tool so be careful not to break your drill.
You could use a jigsaw to cut the shaping tool. I suppose you could also use a thin hand saw too and then just clean up the final shape on a belt sander or even by hand with a file or sand paper. A lot more work but you only have to make the tool once and can use it to make as many nosecones as you want.
@@rotaryrocketry ok thanks so much for the reply. i think i will cut the tool with a very thin hand saw very carefully and finish with a file and sandpaper.
Great video,
Can you estimate how much epoxy you used to make the nose cone?
It's not very much... especially considering this type of epoxy typically comes in gallons or 1/2 gallons. You will need about 1 Tablespoon for the first coat because the surface is rough. The additional coats will need less... maybe around 2 teaspoons. In short... You mix up really small amounts for each coat. It is very important to put on a lot of coats because each one is extremely thin after it has time to run and drip off.
is it possible to make it hollow on the inside
Once the resin is hard, you could remove the foam inside just by scraping it out. You would need to leave an opening in the flat end.
what is the purpose of the straw in the nose cone?
Sometimes you need to add weight to a nose cone to help adjust the center of gravity for a rocket. The straw allows you to add small weights like BBs and epoxy.
Why can't we just use a paper cone with straight angles?
Purely aesthetics or does it enhance the performance.
Straight sides would work fine too. Just paper alone would not be strong enough but you could certainly use a thicker type paper and coat that in epoxy resin. The foam is a good option if you want to make a custom shape nose cone because you can just shave it into any shape you desire.
how much did it weigh?
Finished at 76 grams.
Will that’s a lot of work for the nose cone
True, but the beauty of this method is that you can put together virtually any shape nose cone and the finish is spectacular.