Model Rocket Building Blog 
Model Rocket Building Posts
Keeping Filler in the Body Tube Seams (2010-10-13)
It's frustrating when Carpenter's Wood Filler pops out of the body tube seams. Depending on the width and depth of the seam, results are unpredictable. This is an adaption from ideas suggested ... [Read More]
CWF Filler Mix Ratio for Body Tube Seams (2011-11-03)I've never had great luck filling body tube seams with Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler or C.W.F. About this time last year I tried to find a good mix ratio of CWf and water. Here's the post from ... [Read More]
Filling Body Tube Seams (2011-12-13)This has been covered before. I'm re-writing the entry as some may have some problems with it. Don't just look at the pictures - be sure to read the copy! I've seen a few pictures posted of seams ... [Read More]
Primer TIP Idea (2012-12-29)This is just an idea, it may not work for everybody- The red nozzle on the Duplicolor Filler Primer can be turned. The picture shows it flipped 90 degrees to spray in a horizontal "line". ... [Read More]
Primer Colors? (2013-09-29)On the forums, there is always questions about primers. From an internet search: "Primer allows the final color coats to adhere better. Primer is designed to adhere ... [Read More]
Sanding CWF in Body Tube Seams TIPS (2013-10-01)If you can feel the body tube seams with a fingernail, the seam will show after color coats are applied. It's hard to see the seams, especially on the white tubes. Lately I've been dragging a ... [Read More]
Filling Body Tube Seams TIPS (2013-10-29)For filling body tube seams, I was mixing the CWF a little thicker than what was used for balsa grain filling. The thicker filling didn't seem to chip out of the seams when sanding to surface. I ... [Read More]
A Better Primer? Nope! (2014-07-09)I had been using Duplicolor Filler-Primer with good results. After my last can ran out, I went cheaper and bought some Rustoleum Gray Automobile Primer. Others on the forums have mentioned using ... [Read More]
Email about NAR Website - Model Rocket Building Techniques (2015-03-03)An email from Eric - Chris, I read through the NAR 'Model Rocket Building Techniques' and it is nicely done. As a recent BAR I will say it took me some time to sort out my ... [Read More]
What Kind Of Primer / Filler Do You Use? (2015-08-06)In a recent comment Daniel asked: "What kind of primer filler do you use?" My response: Hi Daniel, I only use the Duplicolor Primer/Filler, available at auto supply stores. The can label is now ... [Read More]
Why Do I Fill and Prime Before Assembly? (2017-04-01)It all came down to this model back in the early 1970s. I remember how disappointed I was with the balsa filling process. Back then all we had was sanding sealer or balsa filler coat. With ... [Read More]
A Email Question About Filling BT Seams (2019-06-24)Chris- You frequently explain how to fill the spiral seam on a rocket tube. There is a detail, however, which is not clear; I thought it might be something of ... [Read More]
CWF Wood Filler Warp! (2019-11-06)I've read about it many times on the forums. Builders give up on Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler (CWF) after trying it once, complaining about the balsa warping. It will warp the balsa after the ... [Read More]
Glue Filler? Part 1 (2019-12-05)I see it on the Facebook Rocketry pages once a month. Somebody asks: "How do I fill the balsa grain? One or two replies is always: "Use glue! Rub it in and sand it off. I get really smooth fins ... [Read More]
Glue Filler? Part 2 (2019-12-06)Before I apply the Elmer's CWF - I used Sanding Sealer or Balsa Fillercoat for years. When I got back into rocketry in 2006, I couldn't find Sanding Sealer for a reasonable price. I had heard a lot ... [Read More]
Why Gray Filler/Primer? (2020-01-06)In a comment, Scigs asks: " . . . I notice you use grey filler primer after filling your fins, then sand most of the primer off. You then follow this up with a base of gloss white. Just wondering ... [Read More]
Fill & Finish Questions From TRF, Part 1 (2020-06-24)On TRF, Neil W had some questions about how I fill and finish. I tried to answer all his questions. Neil's quotes are in italic - I am mostly using the finishing strategy t ... [Read More]
Fill & Finish Questions From TRF, Part 2 (2020-06-25)Here's the fill and finish process I use: Filling the grain and tube seams: 1. Thinned Elmers Carpenter's Wood Filler (CWF) from the orange lid tub. 1A. Sand (leaving a very slight beige ... [Read More]
A Comment and Answer From "Fill & Finish" Posts (2020-08-26)Openroad commented: I’ve had decent results with Rusto High Build Primer/Filler, #249279 version - the label looks like a riveted on plate - but the Duplicolor definitely sands easier. The ... [Read More]
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