We took a small break in robotics this year. After a several year hiatus, I decided to return to rocketry. My son convinced me that we should go big and each get our NAR level 1 high power certification. We discovered that he’s eligible to get his “Junior Level 1,” and thought we’d have good fun doing this together.
I decided the on the Madcow Torrent, while Jason is going for the LOC Fantom 438 EXL. In both cases, we wanted a very large level 1 that could be easily set up for dual deployment. This puts the base rocket kit in the $120-$140 range.
I received the package from Apogee Rocketry and was very excited. Well, I think Jason was more excited. This was advertised as a quality kit for getting into 4″ dual deployment.
Opening up the bag, the kit included all of the structural components, two shock cords, a drogue and main parachute, and the altimeter bay with sled. Also included were two Nomex sheets. What was absent was any form of instructions. Luckily, it looks like this kit should build up like any other through the wall fin rocket construction.
Being very impatient, I went ahead and started assembling the motor mount. The first step was to epoxy the forward centering ring on the motor mount. I first roughed up the 38 mm tube to improve the epoxy adhesion, then used 30 min epoxy to attach the forward centering ring.
I wasn’t thrilled with the eye hook provided. After ordering some 1/4″-20 stainless steel forged eyebolts from Amazon, I received 6 mm threads instead. Returning the item and requesting a replacement, I again, received 6 mm threads. If I put my stubbornness aside, I could have simply used 6 mm bolts. However, opting to be difficult, I reverted back to the supplied hardware. The back-and-forth with Amazon set me back 4 days…