FlisKits Cut-Away Motor Rocket Motor

FlisKits - Cut-Away Motor Rocket Motor {Kit}

Contributed by Hans "Chris" Michielssen

Manufacturer: FlisKits
(Contributed - by Hans "Chris" Michielssen - 02/01/09) FlisKits Cutaway Motor

Brief:
I "won" this kit on a rocketry forum. A build thread hosted by Powderburner followed t' steps o' the assembly.

After t' last assembly post, me hearties, matey, shiver me timbers, t' host asked t' readers t' find t' mistake in his build. Arrr! If you found t' error you would receive a Cutaway Engine Kit as a prize. I read through t' storyline tryin' t' find t' error. Ya scallywag! I guessed wrong twice and another post got t' correct answer.

I was disappointed, as I could see afterwards where t' mistake was made. T' host said all t' participants would receive a prize from FlisKits! Blimey! I forwarded me name and address t' Jim Flis.

Five days later a box came in t' mail. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! It be a Cutaway Kit Model! Blimey! Jim Flis gave all five participants a Cutaway Engine Kit. A congratulatory letter from Jim Flis accompanied t' kit.

T' old OOP Estes cutaway engine was t' standard engine size, 3/4" x 2 3/4". This is a 3.1 upscale enlargement. Avast! If you have ever tried explain how an engine works t' a classroom o' sixth graders, you will certainly appreciate this model.

In t' pictorial review I noticed t' nozzle wasn't an accurate depiction o' a B6-4. T' throat widens where the clay meets t' black powder. I know in t' next "run" o' kits this will probably be corrected. I thought I would build a nozzle closer t' t' actual contours o' t' intended engine.

FlisKits Cutaway Motor

Construction:
T' parts list:

  • 8.5" length o' BT-60
  • 8.625" length o' BT-70
  • 1.75" length o' 60 size black coupler
  • Laser cut sheet o' Ribs, me hearties, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, Spines and "Plates" (Thick)
  • Nozzle Shroud pattern sheet (Thin)
  • Instructions

T' modification be actually pretty simple. Arrr! I substituted a 3/16" launch lug in place o' nozzles #1 and #2.

I did have t' build up t' #3 nozzle t' support t' lug. Ya scallywag! T' half circle cut o' nozzle Rin' #2 be widened slightly. Well, blow me down! And, matey, ya bilge rat, I added back t' triangular sides (nozzle contour) t' t' propellant plate. Well, blow me down! Begad! I cut them from t' original laser cut sheet. Since they were cut from t' same piece, they fit perfectly.

While leavin' out nozzles #1 and #2, arrr, me bucko, this actually makes for an easier t' build kit. Aye aye! I've never been a fan of paper shrouds. Ahoy! But, ya bilge rat, FlisKits included two extras o' each shroud. If you messed one up, simply cut out another and try again. Begad!

T' top o' t' lug was plugged with a piece o' half-round cardstock. I formed t' half-round plug (end) into a round shape by rollin' it around t' end o' a paint brush handle. Avast!

Finishing:
After construction you can download t' "Cutaway Wrap Set" from t' FlisKits website. Blimey! Because I modified the nozzle, t' downloads wouldn't fit me "engine" anymore. Begad!

I decided t' use painted cut-out cardstock pieces t' define t' propellant, matey, delay, me bucko, arrr, and ejection sections. Arrr! Aye aye! Blimey! I made half-round ends t' roll over backs o' t' propellant and delay/ejection pieces. Begad! Ahoy! Blimey! T' three main sections were solid colors.

T' ejection charge was a little different. A base coat o' gray was followed by a mist coat o' black. Arrr! I used a black Sharpie pen t' simulate t' loose charge granules. Blimey! I then added a few white dots from a white out pen.

T' engine casin' was shot with a Rustoleum Cinnamon color. Avast! Avast! While I could have gone with a color closer t' an actual engine's paper wrap, shiver me timbers, I wanted a good contrast.

I gave t' kit a 4 1/2 point ratin' as t' nozzle isn't an accurate depiction o' a real model rocket. This is really a moot point. Ahoy! T' kit be a great build, me bucko, but I would imagine FlisKits would work in this change on t' next batch o' kits. Avast, me proud beauty!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Some ("well thought" by FlisKits) observations:

  • T' fiberboard be very thick and strong, me bucko, more like matte board for picture framing.
  • T' pattern sheet has four nozzles t' cut out and form. Avast! Blimey! You are also given two extra nozzles (each) in case you aren't happy with t' first attempt. Begad!
  • Well illustrated instructions, me bucko, ya bilge rat, more o' a 3-D renderin' than t' standard 2-D look. Begad!
  • T' finished model is plenty big and strong.

This is a well engineered model. Aye aye! Blimey! A nice change and a good challenge. Aye aye! Blimey! This is nay a 3 fin/nose cone build. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! No manufacturer has produced somethin' like this before. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Avast! Blimey!

Congrats Fliskits! You have provided a valuable tool that has been needed for a long time. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

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Comments:

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R.A.M. (January 22, 2009)
The cut-away motor model is generous in depicting the technology for a typical commercial black powder motor by displaying a converging/diverging clay nozzle. Most commercial BP motors have only a diverging nozzle.
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J.F. (March 21, 2009)
Jim, Jim Flis here. I am terribly sorry that you had such difficulty with this kit. To address some of your concerns, I can offer the following:
* This model is not aimed at young modelers and is certainly not what we would call a beginner kit. You are correct that there are challenges in building it.
* The cost point we were aiming for (less than $10) precludes us from including a label with the kit. A free download label is easy to provide and is only an available option. the builder is free to finish it as they choose.
* I would be most interested in working with you offline as your comments about difficulty in removing laser cut parts and a flimsy end product indicate that you may have gotten some defective parts as you shouldn't be having such problems. Feel free to contact me if you would like some resolution in this regard. Thank you for your review. As you know we value all feedback and negative feedback helps us identify things that need attention!

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