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Model Rocket Fin Jig

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ibuildstuff4u:
There isn't much to say about the dimensions, just that I offset the fin guides .100 off from the center line.  Most of the fins coming with rocket kits are .095 thick and some are .125 so I went close to the middle of the two.  It doesn't matter if they are off a few thousands they will still be on strait and spaced out equally from each other.  Way better than anyone can do by hand!  If someone wanted to get really particular they could use shims to adjust for different fin thicknesses.

The jig is 4" X 4" aluminum and 1/2" thick.  The fin guides are 3/8" thick aluminum and are drilled and tapped for 8-32 screws to hold them in place from the bottom.  As for the slots, you really only need two settings.  Four slots @ 90* from each other and two more so you can have three @ 120* from each other.  I went a little crazy and put two more slots @ 45* from each other so I can do specialty rockets with odd fin combos.

Hope that helps.

Dale P.

Bernd:
Great Dale.

The info is enough to build a jig.  :thumbup:

The jig looked a little confusing with all the slots. Understand now why you had so many and their function.

Bernd

Krown Kustoms:
I like the machined approach. I dabble a bit into high power rocketry and made a jig from plexiglass.
Most of mine have carbon fiber fins fused into the tube so they have to be perfectly alligned.
I might borrow your idea if thats ok, it seems more accurate for the job.
-B-

I am curious on seeing some finished rockets if you have time to post them.
My last sucessful flight went just over a mile according to the GPS, the second flight I lost the chutte and came down hard and was a total loss. (GPS, ejection timer, camera, etc...)

ibuildstuff4u:
I'm in the middle of building 7 to 8 rockets and should have them ready to go by the end of the week.  I will post some picts when they are done.  The fleet I'm working on are just little rockets, mostly single stage and a few triple stagers.  We are pretty hard on them and have to keep them low cost and almost disposable if needed. I bought a large sheet of 3/32" micro plywood and cut out my own fins and buy the body tubes in bulk so we can skip the cost of buying kits.  The plywood is a lot stronger than balsa too and not much heavier.

 I wish I could work with something on a larger scale such as the ones you have, but the cost of them is just to high.  In the end if I have some cash and time to spare I'm going to build a cluster rocket with three C-7's

Dale P.

Brass_Machine:
Wow Dale. That is pretty darn cool. Your nephew is lucky to have someone like you in his life!  :headbang:

Very cool

Eric

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