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What to use ? (filling gaps cardboard & paint)


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#1 Professor

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Posted 26 June 2006 - 02:37 PM

Hi

First post, so a big hello :D

I been playing and flying the "ready to fly" tiny 30cmish rockets for past 6months or so and felt i wanted to really dig into rocketry and build a larger model both for the challenge and satifaction of it. So i bought an Estes "mercury redston liberty 7" model which was skill level 2 (although having read a few reviews since purchase most say its more a level 3 skill) also bought launch gear etc to further my new hobby!

Anyhow to get to the point i want to make a good job of it and happy to spent time getting build and paint etc right, having looked on a few reviews of said model i seen few advice for this:

However, IF you want the quality of the rocket body to match the quality of the fins and capsule module, you need to assemble the two body tube halves, fill and sand the grooves (white Estes tube, remember?)


So my question to you experienced folk is what product do i use to fill gaps and mainly the tube spirals on a cardboard tube? I thought of getting some DIY filler and using it, but figured that would crack and add weight to rocket, i also bought some Revell model putty, but not sure thats sandable and again may add weight? So can you please advise on a product (i live in UK, but any product advice welcome) that is suitable for filling gaps in cardboard tubes and sandable.

Finally after getting the gaps sorted out, whats best paint to use on a estes cardboard tube? Domestic gloss like use in home or model enamels? Best to prime it etc?

Really appriecate your advice guys, as want my first built rocket to be a good looking succes i hope. Any links to techniques etc also be nice.

#2 Karl

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Posted 26 June 2006 - 10:30 PM

Hey Professor!

Nice to see another rocketeer here! :)

Well first off, congratulations on deciding to take rocketry to another level!

You ask what would we fill the spirals ect with? For smaller models like the one you are building, I use 'Ronseal Wood Filler'. You can get it in B&Q, and it has a purple lid. It is so easy to use and can be thinned out using water if too thick. Don't worry about weight to much unless your going go coating the entire rocket in it. Remember, you will sand the majority of it off.

On larger models I use something called 'Pattern Makers Filler'. It's a 2 party filler that industry's use, and it drys as hard as epoxy. But this is used in Mid Power & High Power rockets.

I would suggest you go to your local Halfords and pick up the thick primer they sell. It comes in Grey & Yellow IIRC. It fills any gaps that you may have missed with the filler. Also, pick up a White, normal primer too.

Take a look at this forum. Dedicated to all sorts of rocketry.

Good luck,

Karl

#3 richard

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Posted 03 July 2006 - 07:27 PM

another good site to look at for information on kits and peoples experiences is http://www.rocketreviews.com/ I have found quite few tips and failings on the site along with some links.

#4 Professor

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Posted 05 July 2006 - 07:33 PM

Thanks for advice, i am on it :)




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