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Colored FTC tubes

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 9:50 pm
by Braaainz
In my googling, I found colored FTC tubes in both T-8 and T-12 sizes at 4' lengths.

They're definitely more expensive than regular FTC tubes about $3-5 USD, with shipping to my location to be about $8-14 USD.

I think they'd look amazing, but don't know if the coloring would make them more liable to break.

Anyone try them before?

Re: Colored FTC tubes

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 10:38 pm
by anachronist
The coloring, I think, would only cause the plastic to absorb more sunlight, eventually degrading it over time.... but that time is likely to exceed the expected life of your rocket by a long shot. Go for it. It will save you the trouble of painting or coloring your rocket, saving weight, and the color may help the rocket be easier to find.

Me, I like using green 2-liter bottles rather than clear ones.

Re: Colored FTC tubes

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 11:13 am
by retrotec29
The color makes no difference in the strength of cover. I have been playing with clear and colored over the last year. The absobtion of sunlight can be a problem like anachronist mentioned. Over time I would agree it will degrade but adhesives are sometimes vulnerable to the heat. I had a FLT rocket in the car to long and ran it out to the pad. To my surprise my pressure tested rocket blew apart well short of the limit. Pretty cool event when the recovery pod shot about 50 feet into the air. I like to work in clear myself.
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Re: Colored FTC tubes

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2018 2:44 pm
by Braaainz
retrotec29 wrote: Tue Aug 21, 2018 11:13 am
How did you make that nosecone?!?

Re: Colored FTC tubes

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2018 2:56 pm
by retrotec29
A paper model was made to fit over a shrunken bottle end. The taper touches the cap and FLT tube shoulder. Bottle cap is used as a shock cord anchor. Lots of tape and heat makes the shape hold while the glue dries. Not very aerodynamic in subsonic design but looks cool. A little on the lethal side I will admit. But my launch site is far from any population.
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