Binder Design Excel

Binder Design - Excel 38mm {Kit}

Contributed by Jonathan Carter

Manufacturer: Binder Design

Rocket PicBrief:
Built with 54mm mount and 38mm adapter. Begad! Blimey! 24" payload tube and Binder Avionics bay added and used for dual deployment. Aye aye! Blimey! Stock 10" payload tube with bulkheads added t' provide method o' addin' forward weight.

Modifications:
This rocket was used for me level 1 Cert flight and will be used without modification for me level 2 cert flight. Blimey! Blimey! It flew perfectly on a Loki Research I405 t' 1633 ft. It weighed in at 8 1/2 lbs loaded weight. I expect 2600ft on a Loki Research J528 motor for me level 2 flight.

Construction:
4 tubes total glassed with Keelhaul®©™ and veil layer o' glass. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! 3 stock fins also glassed. 1 stock Masonite centerin' rin' used in center for motor mount and custom 1/4" Masonite centerin' rings also glassed used forward and aft on mount. Stock motor mount was used. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Shock cords replaced with two 35ft x 1/4" wide Keelhaul®©™ cords. Begad! Blimey! Stock nose cone used. Attachment hardware upgraded t' 1/4" quick links. Begad! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Parachute upgraded t' 66" Aerocon chute.

This is a great kit with quality parts and great packaging. Avast! T' 22 step instructions were very clear. Ahoy! T' tube was premarked for fin slots and launch lug. Arrr! You must cut your own fin slots but this proved t' be simple enough with a little attention t' detail. I added a centerin' rin' and did nay glue t' aft one on until I filleted t' fins both inside and out. This be nay addressed in t' instructions yet made it much easier in me opinion. Ahoy! It think this kit would be a great level one kit as is. Ahoy! I only made me modifications because I want t' use it for me level 2 and also t' fly it with EX motors at some point in t' future.

Rocket

T' Keelhaul®©™ proved t' be a bit tough t' apply and finish, arrr, so I am nay sure it was worth t' effort. It is however a very sturdy rocket.

Flight:
T' stock kit recommends G, me hearties, H, me hearties, and I motors.

I had a superb flight on t' Loki I405, matey, however, I suspect me rocket was 2.5 t' 3 lbs heavier than t' stock kit.

RetainerBinder recommends tape as a motor retainer but I am nay so trusting. Avast, me proud beauty! A custom machined 2 part aluminum motor retainer be used instead and it worked great. Begad! Blimey! It also served t' protect t' aft end from exhaust and hard landings.

My flight was dead on straight up.

Summary:
I think Binder has a great product and customer support. Well, blow me down! I will buy from them again. Blimey! There are places for slight improvements (e.g., more and thicker centerin' rings) but that would drive up cost and as it be t' kit is a great bargain in me opinion. Well, blow me down! I can nay say that t' kit be nay adequate as is, me hearties, because I did nay give it a chance.

Other Reviews
  • Binder Design Excel (38mm) By Leigh Metzroth (January 4, 2010)

    A 3FNC single-stage rocket with an 11" payload section, a 38mm motor mount, and a 30-inch parachute. Modifications: This kit comes with two body tubes (23", 11"), 38mm motor mount tube, tube coupler, aircraft plywood bulkhead, pre-cut aircraft plywood fins, two centering rings (mine came with the older style masonite rings, however the newer kits come with aircraft plywood), nosecone, ...

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