Rocket Launcher

[giantfan]

I am gearing up to start making a rocket launcher for my pit.

I have a question about this. It looks like all of them (other then the wooden ones) are made out of starboard.

I was thinking of using a solid surface material like corian. I would think that this will hold up a little better and when it gets all cut up and nasty... all I have to do is sand down the surface and it will be as good as new.

I am thinking that there must be a reason that nobody else makes them out of this type of material. Does anybody know why? I also think that it would be a little stronger then the starboard.

Any opinions?

Below is something like I am going to make. Will only go with 4 rod holders.

[clt_capt]

Starboard has UV stabilizers built in - which is one major reason it gets used a bunch.

[giantfan]

Starboard has UV stabilizers built in - which is one major reason it gets used a bunch.

I wonder if corian would turn yellow?

[Avenger]

Ever pick up a piece of Corian? It's HEAVY. Maybe still okay, but I would question its UV properties too.

[Fishovertime]

Where are you planning to use the Solid Surface material ...just the cutting board area? Or the area where the rod holders are mounted through.

Please advise.

Regards andrew.

[giantfan]

Where are you planning to use the Solid Surface material ...just the cutting board area? Or the area where the rod holders are mounted through.

Please advise.

Regards andrew.

I was thinking about using it for the entire thing. I know it weighs a bit more then starboard but I don't think weight on something that size is that big of a deal.

Not sure if it would be too brittle for this application.... and of course the uv concern.

[giantfan]

I guess the main reason I started thinking of an alternative to the starboard is that there really isn't any glue that works well with the starboard. I want all connections to be sealed (we all know how blood and guts find their way into everything) and if I were to seal the starboard with silicone it always looks like crap and discolors.

Where the rod holder section overlaps the rigging area in the picture above is where I am most concerned about keeping the blood and such out of.

[clt_capt]

I have used 3M Scotch-Weld DP-8005 "Acrylic Structural Plastic Adhesive"
It is pretty nasty stuff, but it does work and if you glue before you do your shaping, you won't see it...

Just a thought though - by the time you layer up a couple of layers of starboard, gotten the adhesive (and required applicator), you could buy a nice piece of mahogany or teak...

The other choice is to laminate less expensive woods with west system, coat the whole thing with epoxy and then polyurethane paint - any color you want...

[giantfan]

Never thought of Poly paint. How does it hold up? Never even knew about it. I would guess it would need maint. just like a clear poly.

Good Idea! Thanks.

I love the look of the wood but everything on the outside of the boat is white.... that's why I wanted to keep that look. I have a ton of wood on the interior but like the clean look outside.

Don't know about the glue you mentioned and I am no stranger to making a mess. I just did some research when I was building my tackle locker for my Stamas and King Starboard claimed that only mechanical fastners will work.

If I could lay up layers of starboard and have a glue that worked I think that would be the ticket.

[clt_capt]

My launcher is mahogany, the insert is starboard. I just routed a groove for it...

It looks great - the only wood on the outside - I like it that way - I can take it off to refinish it...

I meant Linear Polyurethane Paint- like awlgrip (they do make a clear) - One of the major chair makers makes their white chair of wood, then coats with epoxy and paints it white...