Egg-O-Naut C

[rocketman1555]

I don't usually have problems with knots, but I think I will start using the clear nail polish on them. My normal problem is strong gusts of wind ripping the parachute and the strings apart. I use hole strengtheners to make sure the parachute won't get ripped by the strings, but I have had them completely ripped off of a parachute before.

[Celeste]

Yeah, using some sort of strengthener for the string holes in the parachute is always a good thing. You can use those little white circles that are for binder paper, but they aren't the strongest things in the world. I cut a small square of duct tape, stick it on the parachute, and punch a hole through the middle of the square. It's worked great for me! Hooray for duct tape!

[jazzy009]

Agreed, Celeste, I tried those binder strengtheners and failed. Then I tried (and stuck with) Scotch tape. It wasn't the best...but this summer I started using duct tape and, well, it's definitely a lot stronger and consistent with powerful wind.

[andrewwski]

Second the duct tape. It's going to take a lot more strength to rip through it than the shrouds can handle. Just don't overuse it, as it's bulky and heavy.

[Celeste]

Yeah, when I was first trying it out, I made the squares too big and it caused some issues. They were too bulky, so I couldn't fold the chute properly, and it didn't deploy quite right. They don't even have to be an inch wide, and you can also cut off the corners to make an octagon, or totally cut it into a circle if you want. It just needs to be like one of those binder-paper-strengthener-stickers (do those things have an actual name?) but, like, super industrial strength.

[jazzy009]

http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.75822102.jpg
Paper reinforcements.
In the small amount of time I did Egg-O-Naut (Minnesota doesn't do it until nationals), I used 1 inch squares of tape. This summer, after switching to duct tape, I used 1 centimeter squares. I may try cutting circles though, just to get that last bit of weight off...it would probably work with and exactoknife.

[starpug]

Second the duct tape. It's going to take a lot more strength to rip through it than the shrouds can handle. Just don't overuse it, as it's bulky and heavy.

Yep duct tape worked well for me until my knots constricted upon deployment cuting through the duct tape

[Paradox21]

Egg-O-Naut 2010 is using 2 liter bottles. At least in Georgia anyway. Check out the link: http://www.aug.edu/gaso/6-12.html

[starpug]

Egg-O-Naut 2010 is using 2 liter bottles. At least in Georgia anyway. Check out the link: http://www.aug.edu/gaso/6-12.html

Thank you Paradox, this should make finding bottles to make the rocket bodie out of should be much easier because 2 liters are very common.

[mosloudo]

2L? Interesting. Wonder if separation is still rewarded or even allowed this time.