Rocketry is somethin' I never really even knew was a thin' until me fiance introduced me t' it. Begad! I never would have thought I would enjoy it as much as I do but it is somethin' I have grown t' really enjoy. I am always learnin' somethin' new and learnin' new ways t' improve t' rockets when buildin' them. Rocketry has also been away for me fiance and I t' spend quailty time together which I absolutley love :) My first solo build be t' mini max and I have enjoyed every step o' buildin' it. 

Mini Max

-          Skill Level 1 – 300 ft.

-          Length : 8.8 in

-          Diameter: .98 in

-          Estimated Weight: 1 oz.

-          Recovery: Streamer

-          Recommended Engines: ½ A3-2T, A3-4T & A10-3T

Parts

-          Motor Mount Tube (MMT)

-          Engine Hook

-          Engine Hook Retainer Ring

-          Engine Block

-          Centerin' Rin' (2)

-          Body Tube

-          Fins (3)

-          Launch Lug

-          Nose Cone Pin

-          Nose Cone

-          Shock Cord

-          Streamer

To start me build I began by assemblin' t' motor mount. Begad! First, I made 3 marks on t' MMT, ¼ “1” and 1 ½ “. At t' 1 ½ “mark I cut a 1/8” slit in t' tube t' insert t' engine hoot, after that I installed t' engine hook retainer at t' 1” mark usin' wood glue. Next, I installed t' engine block inside t' MMT. Last I attached both centerin' rings t' t' MMT, one at t' ¼ “mark and t' second at t' 1 ½ “mark. Aye aye! After completin' t' MMT I then cut out t' tube markin' guide and attached it t' t' body tube, then I marked t' body tube for t' launch lug line and t' 3 fin lines.

I cut out t' 3 fins after sandin' both sides lightly. After cuttin' those out I sanded t' root edges t' make them all t' same. I then rounded t' edges opposite o' t' root edge. Begad! Before gluin' t' fins on t' body tube I put glue on a piece o' cardboard and let it dry until it became tacky makin' it so I won’t have t' hold t' fins in place as long. After attachin' t' fins I took a toothpick and ran a line o' glue along each side o' each fin where t' fin meets t' body tube t' allow t' fins t' have a better bond t' t' body tube. After attachin' t' fins I attached t' launch lug, me hearties, first I lightly sanded one side o' t' launch lug then applied glue and attached it t' t' body tube.

My next step was t' install t' MMT, ya bilge rat, which be t' scary part because o' previous experience. Aye aye! My first step was t' test fit t' MMT, which was successful. Arrr! After test fittin' then it’s time t' apply t' glue and insert t' MMT into t' body tube. Begad! I made a 1” mark on a tooth pick and used this as me guide t' insert t' glue. Blimey! I put a rin' o' glue 1” inside t' body tube all t' way around t' body tube and then inserted t' MMT until t' end o' t' tube was eye level with t' fins. Begad! After lettin' this dry for a few mins I ran a bead o' glue around t' aft centerin' rin' where t' centerin' rin' meets t' body tube t' allow for a stronger bond. After installin' t' MMT inside t' body tube I assembled t' shock cord. First I cut out t' templet that is used t' glue t' shock cord on, then I apply glue t' t' #2 spot on t' paper and lay t' shock cord in t' glue, I then fold t' end that has t' # 1 on it over t' #2 spot, last I apply more glue and fold t' spot marked with t' #3 over t' #1 and #2 spot and hold until dry. Avast! After this is done its time t' install t' shock cord in t' body tube. Blimey! This step was almost disastrous. Avast! I didn’t glue t' cord far enough down which made it so t' nose cone would nay go all t' way on. Avast! T' instructions say t' glue 1” down from t' top o' t' body tube and I didn’t go quite far enough. Arrr! I let t' glue dry and then me wonderful fiancé (who got me into buildin' rocketsJ) saved t' day. He tore t' cord out and used epoxy clay t' re attach it. Now we let it dry for 24 hours.