Axe... A Scratch Build

Another build based on Internet artwork... 29mm Rear Eject 

 

2025-12-19 Knocked out the CAD Model and the drawings. Looks like a fun project.

 2025-12-20 Nose Cone Day 1

Started on the Nose Cone. Cut the (3) pieces from some scrap pine boards. The center portion I cut the angles at the front, and the upper and lower pieces were sanded to shape. Next up is routering the chamfers.​

 

 2025-12-22 Nose Cone Day 2

​

I purchased a 45 degree router bit and installed it into my router.... it was defect and nearly shook my router apart! Took it back and got a replacement... and it was flawless. I routed all the parts.​

 

Gluing the three Nose Cone pieces.​

 

 

2025-12-23 

Revised the Body Tube from a C-204 to a BT-80H.  More room for parachute, went from a 30" to a 36" and it even looks better.... well IMHO.

 

 

 

 Dreadnought HVY

Here's a BT-80H based rocket based on some Sci-Fi artwork.

Rear Eject 29mm Power

Dreadnought /drĕd′nôt″/​

noun​

1. A battleship armed with six or more guns having calibers of 12 inches or more

 

Shuttlecock: A 2.25 Upscale Scratch Build

Here's a 2.25 upscale of a Badminton Shuttlecock.

It's a breakaway style bird such that sudden scheduled disassembly occurs at ejection and it falls back to earth in 3 pieces, all attached by Kevlar, using a streamer to help track recovery.  

 

 

 

12-02-2025 Revision 01: The Chute Version

May need to extend the motor down toward the bottom just a bit to avoid Mr. Krushnic.... but should work...  ​

 

Drawing Set, Rev 01

 2025-12-04 Paper Cone Laminating

Trying something different here.... might work.... might not.​

​

I cut (8) of the large and small cones from regular old printer paper.​

​

Today I watered down some Gorilla Glue and started gluing (2) of each of the cones together. While the glue was still wet I used some Tupperware, coasters, lids and a saucer to hold them round while they are drying.​

 

 

 

12-06-2025 Laminated Cones: Day 03

Well, not much to look at, reminds me of a Grade School project.​

​

I applied a coat of Titebond Q&T, inside and out, which further helped to stiffen the cones. Large Cone is 5 Ply, and the Small Cone is 4 Ply. Final thickness is 0.030".​

 

 

2025-12-07

Now that the glue has hardened overnight... these cones will work great.

 

Large Cone is 5 Ply, 0.037" Thick, Weight is 1.13 Ounces​

Small Cone is 4 Ply. 0.032" Thick, Weight is 0.71 Ounces​

 

2025-12-08 

Turned the Nose Cone on the lathe from Redwood. The bore was sized for a 1-1/2" piece of BT/C-55. This makes for the perfect sleeve to fit the BT-52H motor tube.

Glued the components to the Nose Cone... waiting for that to dry.

And... did a quick mock-up

 

 

2025-12-10 Glued Small Cone to Base Ring... and Large Cone to Nose Cone 

 

 

 

2025-12-12 Altimeter Stowage

Used a scrap piece of C-50, flattened it a little and punched some holes through it.​

​

The Altimeter Two is secured by some thin gauge electrical wire, left over from spent E-matches.. handy stuff that thin gauge wire.​

 

 

 

2025-12-13 Gluing Recovery Cone to the Motor Mount

​

I turned a Centering Ring on my lathe used that to attach the Motor Mount to the Recovery Cone using Titebond Quick and Thick.​

​

Hard to visualize based on the photos.... but it'll be clearer once the glue dries and I pull everything apart.​

 

Update Later Same Day:​

​

I pulled the Motor Mount out to check that the glue wasn't running down the Motor Tube... you can see the Centering Ring inside the Recovery Cone. That'll be glued once the other side is dry.​

 

 

 

 

2025-12-14 Upper Recovery Cone to Motor Tube

Filler Up With Hi-Test​

 

 

12-16-2025 Launch Lug

Made a cardboard template to help set the location of the launch lug on the Recovery Cone and the Outer Shuttlecock Cone. The OR Sim showed 2-1/2" dia for the Faux Tube that the launch lug attaches to, so that's the diameter I used. I marked both Cones.​

​

Then used my mechanical pencil to mark the width of the Launch Lug on both Cones, then free handed the profile of the hole. Cut the holes with a hobby knife.​

​

The 1/8" Basswood Support was made to support the entire length of the Launch Lug, to prevent Parachute Shroud Lines and Kevlar Shock Chords from getting tangled up around the Lug.​

 

 2025-12-18 Swing Test

This one passed 2 out of 3 times. By that I mean on the first swing test the rocket just tumbled. The next two test it flew rock solid stable.

I'll give it a flight, and see how it reacts. I figure the 6 ft launch rod will make her point upwards, and from there the aerodynamics will take over.

​

The First Swing Test​

​

The Second Swing Test

 

 

 ​