Model Rocket Building Blog
Semroc I.Q.S.Y. Tomahawk Build Part 1 PartsHere's the parts layout for the Semroc IQSY Tomahawk. Of particular interest are the laser cut basswood fins. I can appreciate Semroc using the basswood. It'll be easier to sand the wedge taper on the leading edge and keep the line sharp. The IQSY Tomahawk didn't have any lettering but there is a ...[Read More]
Semroc I.Q.S.Y. Tomahawk Build Part 2 Engine MountThe instructions would have you install the 24" elastic shock cord under the coupler holding the two body tube pieces together. I was concerned about the elastic making a bulge under the body tube where it turned under the coupler. I decided to tie Kevlar under the engine hook and join that to the ...[Read More]
Semroc I.Q.S.Y. Tomahawk Build Part 3 Fin ShapingThe 1/16" basswood fins are to be thinned down to .05" thick. I'd recommend sanding the fin thickness to .05" before tapering the leading edge. This is a piece of scrap basswood taken from laser cut sheet in the kit. I wanted to practice thinning and sanding the taper on scrap first to decide if ...[Read More]
Semroc I.Q.S.Y. Tomahawk Build Part 4 Fin ShapingI've started sanding the fins to the scale thickness of .05". When working it down to the right thickness, I only sand one side of the fin. To be sure I was only sanding one side, I'd restart with the fin root edge to the outside. When sanding, I'd rotate the fin, but not turn it over. I'll sand ...[Read More]
Semroc I.Q.S.Y. Tomahawk Build Part 5 Fin ShapingTIP: Before sanding the taper, I brushed on a coat of CWF and sanded it smooth. I would be sanding through the CWF coat when tapering the leading edge taper. The bare wood underneath is a little darker than the light beige CWF. This gives me a contrast color while sanding and be easier to see if ...[Read More]
Semroc I.Q.S.Y. Tomahawk Build Part 6 Fin ShapingWhen sanding up to the pencil line, I made sure the edge of the sanding block didn't go beyond the line. This way I'm just sanding up to the line and hopefully maintaining a definite start of the taper to the leading edge. Here's all four fins after sanding the tapers. Before going any farther, ...[Read More]
Semroc I.Q.S.Y. Tomahawk Build Part 7 Engine HookI went back to the engine mount and removed the extended engine hook. This rocket will end up with a friction fit engine. If I'm taking the extra time to get it closer to scale, it wouldn't look right with a metal hook extending out the back. A fine toothed razor saw was used to score the hook. ...[Read More]
Semroc I.Q.S.Y. Tomahawk Build Part 8 Tube JoiningIn Step 12 the two lengths of tube are joined with a coupler. 1/2 of the coupler is glued into the lower tube. Before the glue in the lower tube dried, the upper tube was slid in place, no glue on the upper half yet. The tube was rolled on a smooth counter top then double checked for the best fit ...[Read More]
Semroc I.Q.S.Y. Tomahawk Build Part 9 Tube JoiningI found I still had to build up more to fill the seam joint. A bead of super glue was made on the seam. After drying I sanded it down with 400 grit on a sanding block. Sometimes I'll use the super glue to lock the filler down on the tube or in a tube seam. While Carpenter's Wood Filler is great ...[Read More]
Semroc I.Q.S.Y. Tomahawk Build Part 10 Fin PrepI decided to prime the fins off the model. Because the primer seals the fins, the fillets wouldn't be as strong. So, a little masking was done done the root edge. This mask would leave just less than 1/16" of raw wood above the root edge for the fillets to grab onto. Here's the primer sprayed fins ...[Read More]
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