Making a really big nose cone.
I needed a nose cone 12-1/2" in diameter, and about 66" tall. Here is how it was made.
I started out with a micrometer and an
Estes nose cone, measuring it at regular
intervals, and then multipling it by the
upscale factor, gave me the location of the
dots on the poster board. With 25 layers to
cut, having a good pattern was important.
Once the pieces were cut, they were
stacked, epoxied, and clamped.
Once the two halves were finished, the
excess wood was trimmed from the inside
Trying to reduce the weight without
reducing strength.
The all thread rod was then put into
place down the center line. Nuts were
placed inside and out with fender
washers to hold the nose cone secure.
The two halves were then epoxied,
and clamped together.
A lawn mower wheel was installed on
the end of the shaft, then clamped into
a work mate.
The other end was placed in a drill and
clamped to the bumper of my truck. I then
sat down for the long grind.
Some of the first signs, that a nose
cone might really exsist in this pile
of wood.
As the grinding continues it slowly
takes shape.
After burning up my drill I decided to
get my sons bike out and placed it up
against it so it turned while he peddled.
The reason for the black line around it.
Here it has it's first of three layers of
epoxy and nylon mesh applied.
The nose cone was then filled with urthane foam, and the end
result is a beautiful big nose cone that weights only 18 Lbs.
