Model Rocket Building Blog
Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 1, PartsHere's an interesting model. High drag saucer shape. It could be a great two stage rocket for a small field. The kit face card says it will reach 150 feet! I'd probably fly it with the A10-0t booster and A3-4t for the sustainer. No balsa, lots of laser-cut cardstock! The main body tubes are ...[Read More]
Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 2, Forming The ShroudsThe cardstock shrouds have a separate inside glue tab for a smooth outside joint. Rough up the glossy surface with some 400 grit sandpaper before applying glue. With a sanding block, square up the laser cut edge for a cleaner matched joint. One thing about gluing paper to paper, you need very ...[Read More]
Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 3, Saucer BasesThe saucer bases have many holes to keep it lighter and slots for the fin tabs. Cut through the hold down tabs and remove the dots and rectangles. Some probably might think I go overboard trimming and smoothing things out. I actually enjoy working on the small details. A small diamond file took ...[Read More]
Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 4, Saucers AssemblyA test fit of the tube in the ring gave a loose fit. A bead of glue was set on the inside edge to make the diameter a bit smaller and the fit tighter. Don't glue the tube in yet, the dried glue bead will make a tighter fit of the tube segment. To strengthen and smooth the rough inside of the ...[Read More]
Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 5, Leg PrepBe careful when doing test fits of the card stock fins. Look close at the tab, the outside layer of the cardstock has peeled back. I put a little bit of glue on the tab ends and burnished them down. The laser burnt edges had already been lightly sanded with 400 grit. A bead of white glue is set ...[Read More]
Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 6, Disk Bevels & Lunch Lug PrepYou'll get a better fit of the shroud if the low disk edge is angled. On the left I'm not sanding. The shroud is just sitting on the ring and base - no glue yet. I'm using the shroud to get an idea of the sanding block angle. On the right, notice the masking tape on the tube to prevent any sanding ...[Read More]
Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 7, Shroud GluingIt takes very little glue to adhere card stock to card stock. Just be sure there is glue on all the contact points. After the edge sanding/tapering in the last step, Notice the fit of the tapered disk fitting into the outside shroud edge. Pinch and slide your fingers around the sides until ...[Read More]
Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 8, Rings & Fin GluingAfter the glue has dried, sand the top joint to even things out. Here's the assembled two saucer sections, the tops - And the bottoms. This is one of those instances where I extend the fin pencil lines under the bottom of the body tube. TIP: The trailing edge of the fins is even with the ...[Read More]
Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 9, Engine Blocks & Launch LugsThe instructions show the two yellow spacing tubes taped together. They are pictured pushing the lower engine block in place. I simply glued the lower engine block in the bottom, even with the end of the BT-5 tube without using the yellow tubes.. With the lower engine block glued into the bottom ...[Read More]
Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 10, A Fix & Masking For GluingIn a previous post comment, Openroad mentioned he had encountered this same concern: While doing some test fitting, the short area next to the fin tab flexed and showed a wrinkle. I thought this small area could be a problem and was careful. I still found a crease when test fitting. A small bit of ...[Read More]
Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, Part 11, Assembly & DecalsAfter the assemblies were spray painted, the tape strips were removed. The gluing lines left open cardstock for better glue adhesion. The filler on the ring joints finished pretty well. Glue was applied down the outside edges of the fins. Glue was pressed into the saucer slots using a toothpick. ...[Read More]
Estes Twin Factor #7250, Build, FinishedNo balsa in this one! All cardstock, Kraft tubes and a plastic nose cone. The rocket seems smaller than you'd think. The yellow and black décor is a good, high contrast. The nose cone is painted yellow off the body then glued on to avoid additional masking. Look at the top picture - The many ...[Read More]
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