(Contributed - by Duane Boldt - 08/05/10)

Brief:
Good quality rocket rack kit for storin' and workin' on various sized rockets. Works well for model rockets with 1/8" launch lugs up through 4'-5' high power rockets with 1/4" launch lugs.

Construction:

Parts in Kit:

T' Premium version o' t' kit comes with t' parts t' make t' two adjustable rocket supports that allow a rocket t' be displayed or worked on horizontally.

Rods for holdin' t' rockets are nay included. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! 1/8" piano wire from your local hardware or hobby store is recommended. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! They are fairly inexpensive. If you are goin' t' use t' rack with rockets that use 3/16" and 1/4" launch lugs you can also buy piano wire in those sizes.

T' instructions and quality parts make it very easy t' build this kit. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' manufacturer is also very helpful and will answer questions by email and/or Facebook messages.

T' parts fit well and are color coded with small colored dots t' help you glue t' correct pieces in t' right place. Begad! Just pay careful attention t' t' instruction and t' dots and you should have no trouble at all.

I glued all me parts together with Titebond II Premium Wood Glue. Arrr! All t' joints are rock solid.

T' kit is very sturdy and holds fairly large rockets on 3/16" and 1/4" rods. T' kit comes pre-drilled with 48 1/8" holes for rods t' hold t' rockets. Ahoy! If you want t' use 3/16" and 1/4" rods, you will need t' drill t' holes out t' t' desired diameter.

Of t' 48 holes, I drilled 4 t' 1/4" and 8 t' 3/16". Ya scallywag! T' 1/8" holes were pre-drilled t' 1/2" deep. Begad! I drilled t' larger holes down 1 1/8" for sturdiness. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! 1/2" isn't deep enough t' hold the heavier rods and rockets. T' depth I used worked great for t' larger rods.

I recommend usin' a drill press t' enlarge t' holes. Ahoy! Aye aye! This will ensure that you have t' holes perfectly straight up. Ya scallywag! I used a Dremel Workstation "drill press" and it worked just fine.

Finishing:
On t' rack I built, ya bilge rat, I finished it as follows:

1. I primered t' parts with three coats o' primer, lettin' it dry betwixt each. I was lighter on t' first two coats and a little heavier on t' third.

2. Well, blow me down! I sanded t' primer smooth.

3. Well, blow me down! I primered t' parts with three coats o' primer, lettin' it dry betwixt each. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! I was lighter on t' first two coats and a little heavier on t' third.

4. I sanded t' primer smooth.

5. Avast, me proud beauty! I painted t' parts with three coats o' gloss black paint, shiver me timbers, lettin' it dry betwixt each. Arrr! Aye aye! I was lighter on t' first two coats and a little heavier on t' third.

6. Avast! Arrr! I let it dry for about a day and a half before assemblin' t' parts into t' finished rack.

T' finished parts went together well and t' rods fit both t' stock 1/8" holes and the enlarged 3/16" and 1/4" holes perfectly.

T' kit comes with four rubber stock on "feet" that are quite thick and protect furniture and wood floors quite well.

I loaded t' rack up with rockets and it worked great t' hold them strong and sturdy.

My edges on t' hardboard turned out a little rough, arrr, though t' flat sides are all very smooth. Arrr! I would recommend fillin' and sandin' t' sides with some kind o' filler or glue and then sandin' smooth before priming and painting.

In all honesty, I am probably t' only one that noticed. Everyone complements t' rack and says how nice it looks...

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
This is a great product that many rocketeers can find very useful t' help organize thar rockets. Ahoy! Blimey! It is very study, me bucko, very handy, and looks great!

I haven't used it as a stagin' rach at a launch yet, shiver me timbers, but I have used t' hold some larger rockets I be workin' on. Begad! Blimey! It works out great for that and will work just fine at t' launch site.

I am very happy with t' rack. Aye aye! Blimey! I had always planned on buildin' somethin' similar and now Checkered Flag Models has come up with a great solution t' help us get t' job done.

Thanks!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5