The beginnings of my L3

[Bret PackardParticipant]

spectacular, absolutely gorgeous.

[new2hprParticipant]

Very nice work.

Now Warren, if you’re going to that much trouble for the thrust ring, why not just machine in the male threads half of the retainer as well? Save you all the extra bolts… 😉 Maybe make the nut half a thin-walled tailcone while you’re at it…

Once I get my dad’s lathe (an old 6″ Craftsman/Atlas), I can do some of such coolness. Alas, no room (or $) for a mill. BTW, dad just got a 13″ lathe, thus the hand-me-down.

Ken

[Warren B. MusselmanModerator]

Had another fine day at the machine shop today – finished the blanks for the centering rings and bulkheads as well as turned some prototype stainless steel rail buttons for 1515 rail. Mostly spent the morning facing the rings and bulkheads on the manual lathe. This week, they’ll be turned on the CNC lathe to their final dimensions and the lightening relief will be turned into the rings. The bulkheads, after finish turning will be moved to the CNC mill and lightening relief will be milled into the inside surface to reduce the weight and the final holes for U-bolts, terminal blocks, etc. will be drilled. Some holes will be tapped as well. This is all going so well, I don’t think I’ll ever use anything else for larger rockets. WAY easier than G10 and epoxy.

By the way, I’m buying a stick of 303 stainless this week and will be turning out a whole bunch of buttons for 1515 rail – anyone who wants them, I’ll have them at the April launch and possibly even at the March launch if McMaster-Carr gets me the steel this week. I’ll definitely have them at MHM as well.

Warren

[Author]

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