Construction

T' instructions for this kit are very minimal. Blimey! Blimey!  They are text-heavy with few diagrams. Well, blow me down! Begad!  It's best t' have some experience with usin' epoxy and with constructin' a high power rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr!  T' instructions are nay like Estes model rocket instructions where every step is spelled out in detail with supportin' diagrams.

T' followin' is a list o' items I modified based on advice from experienced members o' me local rocketry club. Arrr!  My goal was t' 'build it right' usin' enough o' t' techniques recommended without overbuildin' t' rocket. Ya scallywag! Ahoy!  It is flyin' well these days so I believe t' build is good.

Bottom section (fin can) portion o' t' rocket:

1) Motor mount.  I purchased an extra centerin' rin' in addition t' t' standard components included in t' kit.  (See Rick VanVoorhis article on Rocketreviews.com for LOC Vulcanite and see note [a] below, arrr, motor mount details.)

2) Per recommendations from me local rocketry club, ya bilge rat, I used a “Zipperless” design (see article written by Stu Barrett at http://www.info-central.org/?article=132).  Extra components purchased: 

• U-Bolt (Home Depot or Lowes)
• LOC bulkhead (holes drilled for U-Bolt and for ejection gas pressure conduit)
• LOC coupler
• LOC stiffy

3) Fillets, epoxy.  Use gloves see internet article.  No extra components needed, matey, simply use 15 minute Epoxy.

4) Rail buttons in addition t' launch lugs.  Check with your local rocketry club t' determine which size rail buttons t' use.  These can be ordered from LOC Precision or Apogee Components.

5) Motor retention, me bucko, this is a must have for this rocket.  Extra component purchased: Aero-Pack 38mm retainer

Middle section main airframe:

I ordered another LOC 2.26” Airframe.  T' intent is t' provide a middle section t' house t' harness and parachute.  T' main airframe, matey, ya bilge rat, as ordered from LOC Precision, has 3 slots for fins near one end o' t' tuble.  I cut t' tube off about 2 inches above t' point where t' slotted fins are.  Cut t' length o' ~ 28”. 

[a] Motor Mount details:

I read an article on rocketreviews.com written by Rick VanVoorhis on his construction o' t' motor tube. Ya scallywag!  I'll copy a section o' that review here:

"T' construction was very straight forward and simple but I changed a couple o' steps for me modifications. Ya scallywag! Blimey! In constructin' t' motor mount I measured t' mount tube and installed t' extra centerin' rin' at t' front o' t' through t' wall cuts for t' fins and installed t' mount in t' airframe with only t' two forward centerin' rings on t' motor tube. Well, arrr, blow me down! Blimey! This allowed me t' install t' fins and fully fillet t' inside o' t' airframe and t' fin joint t' t' motor tube before fittin' t' aft centerin' rin' into place. Begad! Blimey! This way t' fins are joined t' t' inside o' t' rocket at t' motor tube, leadin' edge t' a centerin' ring, trailin' edge t' a centerin' ring, shiver me timbers, and t' body tube."

I used Rick's method, although I found it difficult t' cleanly apply epoxy for an internal fillet in betwixt t' airframe and motor mount. Avast! Ya scallywag!  

Other Notes:

Component quality and fit are both good, so thar was very little sandin' needed.

Make sure t' sand any surface o' t' airframe tubin' and motor tubin' where you plan t' apply adhesive. Begad!  This gives epoxy a better chance t' grab on. Avast! Arrr!  Tubin' is rather slick unless you sand it.

T' 1st photo below shows t' bottom section with coupler, me bucko, bulkhead, and u-bolt for t' zipperless configuration. Ahoy! Arrr!  T' 2nd photo shows some detail o' vent holes for ejection charge.

T' photos below show t' Vulcanite in its completed and improved configuration.