|
Turning a T-nozzle on a lathe
2 weeks ago I got myself a small model scale lathe called "UNIMAT
1". It is a construction kit and enables you to assemble
a number of different machines: jigsaw, woodturning lathe, lathe
for soft, coloured or precious metals, drilling machine, milling
machine and a sanding machine. So far I am very happy with it. My
only regret is that I have not bought it years ago already!
|
This is the lathe, which can be assembled quickly. |
|
My first piece of beech wood, partly turned down,
with a 3.5 mm center bore. The turning tool is clamped
down by a black jaw, below. |
|
The water/air outlet is turned. Vacuum cleaner inlet
on the right to keep the workbench tidy. |
|
I changed the wood piece; the cone which will be
inside the bottle is being turned. |
|
Side view of the inside cone, finished. |
|
First steps on the funnel-shaped inlet ... |
|
... almost done. |
|
After the first test piece in beech wood, I changed
to PVC as the nozzle material. Here you see the finished
piece after the same steps as shown above. I made it
a good deal shorter, though. The wall is quite thick
- it needs to withstand the impact of the nozzle on
the bottle neck after leaving the launch tube. |
|
View of the nozzle outlet. |
|
Assembly of the T-nozzle.From the left: 1. T-nozzle
2. bottle neck, cut off. 3. plastic tubing, 20 mm
OD, 16 mm ID. It is pushed over the T-nozzle cone. This
must be done INSIDE the bottle, unless you use a spliced
bottle. |
|
T-nozzle inside the bottle, readily assembled. |
|
T-nozzle inside the bottle, readily assembled, enlarged
view. |
|
See HERE
a testflight of my RuMMa2 rocket with this self-machined
T-nozzle. |
|