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Distorted Rocket Tubes from pressing - Usable?


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Posted

I am playing with my 1# rocket tooling from Wolter. Super cool tools, they do really nice work! I did figure out pretty quick that no matter what tube I use, I will need the external tube support from Wolter as well (ordered today).

 

A couple rockets came off the arbor press a bit distorted from the internal pressure. Anyone think they are useable? Will prob light one tonight with no header, see what happens. They kinda ugly, I hope they fly.

 

CD

Posted

Not likely! Once distorted, there's almost always a void between powder and tube wall... which usually means a CATO, although not always right at launch.

 

But, it does depend upon how MUCH they've been distorted. Only testing will tell.

 

Lloyd

Posted

Depends what kind of rocket you are making and what tubes you have.

Posted

Have you a safe distance to try them? where they can do no harm, but might fly or might blow up!

Posted (edited)

If you are hand ramming them you need to lighten up on the hammer blows. I pound my nozzle mix pretty hard to make it expand into the tube wall a bit then lighten up a bit on my fuel. I habitually use 8 medium whacks with my 3 lb mallet for the fuel and 10 for the clay. I haven't deformed a hand rammed tube in a while even in my thinner walled ones. If you are using a press? You are going to ruin every tube without a support. DAMHIK

 

Edit: Reread your original post and see that you aren't ramming. You definitely need a support but in the interim try ramming some. 3/4" rockets hand ram very well.

Edited by OldMarine
Posted

If its crimped,wrinkled, banana shaped or came out of the press shorter than it went in.. its best to assume it`ll cato even if it doesnt ;) Supports help constrain the od but dont do much to prevent the tube wall being crushed internally.

Posted

As Lloyd & Col predicted....fail.

And yeah OM, I have hammer rammed a few. Enough to know I needed a press! They do work well that way though.

Thx all. Waiting on support sleeve now.

CD

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