Summary

These spacer tools replace the cardboard spacer tube that typically comes with the Estes kits. The tube is used to position the engine block when glued inside the engine tube. These reusable spacing tools have a base that will stop the engine block with a 6.35mm (1/4-inch) overhang or a 12.7mm (1/2-inch) overhang

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

Creality

                                            <p class="detail-setting printer"><strong>Printer: </strong>                     <div><p>Ender-3 v2</p></div></p>                                                                                <p class="detail-setting rafts"><strong>Rafts: </strong>                     <div><p>Yes</p></div></p>                                                                                <p class="detail-setting supports"><strong>Supports: </strong>                     <div><p>No</p></div></p>                                                                                <p class="detail-setting resolution"><strong>Resolution: </strong>                     <div><p>0.2mm</p></div></p>                                                                                <p class="detail-setting infill"><strong>Infill: </strong>                     <div><p>12%</p></div></p>                                                    <strong>Filament:</strong> Hobby Lobby PLA                Orange                    <br>                        <p class="detail-setting notes"><strong>Notes: </strong>                    </p><div><p>As these do not have any real amount of stress applied during use, we used only a 12% infill using a grid pattern. The spacers were printed in a vertical position so a brim was used to increase surface area on the bed.</p><p>The spacers were designed using CADoodle on a Q4OS Linux PC. </p><ul><li>The CADoodle software can be found at <a rel="nofollow" href="https://cadoodlecad.com">https://cadoodlecad.com</a></li><li>The CADoodle design files for this project are included with the STL files as "engine-block-tools.zip"</li></ul></div>

How I Designed This

Chances are if you have built just a few model rockets you have come across the instruction for installing an engine block in the engine mount tube. In the Estes kits they typically provide a yellow tube the same size as the engine the rocket will use. The instructions will then tell you to mark the tube a certain distance from the end (typically 1/4-inch or 1/2-inch). You then mark the yellow tube at the stated distance, add some glue to the top of the engine mount tube, insert an engine block and use the yellow tube to push it into place.

Typical Estes instruction on inserting an engine block using a cardboard tube

These 3D printed engine block spacers replace the cardboard tube. They have a stop at 1/4-inch and at 1/2-inch. The STL files include all of the Estes engine casing sizes

Estes Engine Block Spacer Tools