Last week we got a handful of Cosmodrome kits in to our shop, and we announced them on Friday in this newsletter. I didn't expect them to last long, and I was right. By Sunday, we sold all of them.

On Tuesday, we sent out our 610th newsletter. The main article in it was about the topic of how long should an engine mount be in a rocket. The answer really depends on what type of rocket you are making, and how much effort you want to put into its design and construction. Be sure to check it out if you haven't seen it yet.

The newsletter also had a new free rocket plan in it that you could build using commonly available parts. The kit is called the Annularity, and was inspired by the annular eclipse that is coming through on Saturday morning. I hope you get a chance to watch the eclipse and build the rocket as well.

This week, we released our newest kit called the Kronos. This is a big, 3" diameter rocket that stands 51 inches tall. It flies on a single 29mm diameter motor. The possible choices of motors you can fly it on is well over 100. You can go from an F motor, through an H size motor. This makes it a quite versatile rocket. It has several notable features like a 36" nylon parachute, a engine ejection baffle, through-the-wall plywood fins, laser-cut components, and colorful vinyl decals. It is sure to be a hit, and you'll be seeing a lot of them around the rocket range. We put out a short, yet exciting video of the rocket on our YouTube channel (here). It has loud music, so turn up the volume so your neighbors can share the experience too.

October Rocketry Tool of the Month - Machinist Square

Our October Tool-of-the-Month is a heavy-duty steel Machinist Square. What this tool is used for in rocketry is to measure squareness of the parts you build. If you need a component mounted at a perfect 90° angle, and you wish to check it, this is the tool for the job. An example is the T-tail on a glider. It is also great to make sure the corners on your balsa fin sheets are perfectly square when you are cutting them. I also use them like a third hand to help hold parts in position while you're building the rocket. The heavy steel mass of the square stays put when you set it down on your table, so you can lean fins up against it.

It is all-steel, and comes in a plastic storage case, which helps protect it and keep it looking like new for years to come.

We only have a limited supply in stock. In September, we sold out of our Tool-of-the-Month by the 15th. So be sure to order early to get yours. Once they are sold out, this offer is over.

Why are we offering this Tool-of-the-Month?

We believe that if you find construction of rockets fun, easy, hassle free, and that it goes quicker because you have some simple tools in your arsenal, you'll stick with rocketry for a longer time. You'll have the skills to make really great rockets, and you'll want to show off your models to other modelers. You win because you have a more enjoyable experience, and we win because you'll be a customer well into the future. We're investing in your skills, because we want you to be our customer for a lifetime. And maybe you'll recommend us to your rocketry friends and any newbies that you mentor.

While you can buy this set of drill bits separately, you can have them free when you order $80 worth of other merchandise before October 31st. Visit this link for additional instructions to claim your free machinist square.

What is Coming Up Next Week?

In our video, which comes out on Tuesday, we'll continue with part nine of the construction of the TTV rocket kit. It the video, we'll glue the engine mount tube into the booster stage of the rocket. Then, we'll attach the fins and glue them in the slots cut into the tube. We're using a fin alignment jig to make sure all the fins are perpendicular. But the fins are thinner than the slots in the alignment jig, so we'll use paper shims in the tool to make sure the fins are centered perfectly. Finally, we'll glue the launch lug to the basswood stand-off and get it ready to be attached to the booster stage.

Check your email inbox next Tuesday.