Separation of sections - Northern Colorado Rocketry

This topic has 6 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 10 months ago by Kevin Osler.

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October 25, 2009 at 7:43 pm #40819
Kevin Osler
Participant
I am revamping my Level 2 rocket per some club recommendations and now I have 3 couplers holding different sections together.

The question is, does anyone have any tricks to make the sections that are suppose to separate easier to put together and take apart? Maybe its just a matter of sand, sand, sand but I notice with multiple occurrences of taking them apart and putting them together that the inside edge of the receiving tube is getting frayed and makes it a bugger to put the sections back together. Also, sometimes they are a bugger to pull apart. I don’t want them too loose of course, but I need them to slide much easier for the deployments to work. I was thinking about tapering the inside edge of the receiving tube then going over it with a light glue… I am open to suggestions.

Kevin
October 25, 2009 at 11:13 pm #51490
Jeffrey Joe Hinton
Moderator
Well, if they are paper or phenolic tubes, sometimes a bead of CA around the edges (still will need some sanding) helps keep the edges from fraying/tearing. Then tape can be used as a shoulder builder, if necessary, and painting the inner surfaces with a thin epoxy layer (yes, will mean more sanding) also helps.
October 26, 2009 at 2:51 pm #51491
new2hpr
Participant
I would second the suggestion on CA soak for paper/phenolic tubes.

Also, if you go with a coat of epoxy, you could add graphite to the mix (I believe West Systems has an additive, but any graphite powder should work), to make the resultant hard slippery surface.

-Ken
October 26, 2009 at 4:34 pm #51492
edward
Moderator
If you need graphite I’ve got it by the pounds at my house. Let me know and I can get you some. Byproducts of turning lots of graphite parts.

Edward
October 26, 2009 at 5:20 pm #51493
mule
Participant
I actually used a brush and painted on a coat of CA glue on one coupler and on another one I used some 20 minute epoxy painted on it. Both worked well, but I think the CA absorbed a bit better. Made for easier sanding too.
October 27, 2009 at 2:07 am #51494
MikeS
Moderator
I use rattle can spray paint to paint most of my
rockets. I have found (after having some overspray)
inside the tube) that after drying and a little sanding
it makes for a nice firm fit.

I also bevel the coupler slightly
November 16, 2009 at 1:21 am #51495
Kevin Osler
Participant
Meant to post a few days ago. I finally got finished redoing all the tube/coupler ends per your suggestions and it worked great! I tapered all the incoming and outgoing edges then hardened them with CA. I spread about an inch of CA on the inside and outside of each joint also which seems to give me enough slide. Thanks guys.

All that’s left is to get the wiring back in order and a L2 attempt will be within reach for the December launch.

Kevin
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