AboutTodd Panico Expertise I can answer questions about designing, building, testing and flying single stage model rockets using 1/4 to D size engines.
Experience I have been flying model rockets for about 25 years. I have been designing rockets for about 15 years.
Publications I have written articles that have appeared in the local newspapers Weekend/Hobby section.
Education/Credentials I have been taught basic aerodynamics by The US Air Force.
Awards and Honors I have been awarded many Certificates of Appreciation from the Boy Scouts and local schools for giving demonstrations and guiding scouts to earn their rocketry badge.
I'm a middle school teacher who is starting a rocket club at my school. I have been building a rocket to get practice and am having the most difficult time getting the balsa fins to stay on. I am using Elmer's wood glue. If I reinforce the sides of the fin with the glue after placing glue on the root side, will it affect the launch? I remember using a hot glue gun as a kid to attach fins, but I don't want my students to get burnt.
Thanks,
Jason
Answer Hello Jason - Using Elmers wood glue take a while. You have to attach one fin at a time and wait for it to set up (about an hour) while watching to make sure it doesn't shift. Then attach the next fin. You will only be applying glue to the root edge at that point. Once you have all the fins attached, you can go back and apply a fillet of glue. To make things go faster you can use superglue to attach the fins and use Elmers glue for the fillet.
