ESTES Magician User Manual

G

L

U

E

G

L

U

E

TUBE MARKING GUIDE

G

L

U

E

(Make a copy if you want to keep instructions.)

FIN ATTACHMENT

I

PAYLOAD AND NOSE CONE ASSEMBLY

E

N

FI

LL

FIN

Fin

Alignment

Guide

K

M

HELPFUL HINT:

TOO
LOOSE

IF NOSE CONE FIT IS. . .

TOO
TIGHT

MATCHING LINES

FIN PREPARATION

1. Sand both sides of balsa

sheet with fine sandpaper
(#320 or #400 grit).

ENGINE MOUNT ASSEMBLY

(89 mm)

1"

(25 mm)

3-1/2"

(76 mm)

3"

A

1. Measure and mark A.

4. Slide C to mark. Apply

glue to both sides of C.

TUBE MARKING

FIN

MATCHING LINES

1. Cut tube marking guide from

instructions.

FIN

LAUNCH LUG

FIN

MATCHING LINES

OVERLAP TAB

FIN

LAUNCH LUG

FIN

H

I J

2. Cut H, I and J from sheet.

1

/8

"

(3

m

m

)

2. Cut slit at mark. 3. Insert B in slit.

B

C

C

5. Slide remaining C over end

of B to mark. Apply glue to
both sides of C .

N

FI

UNCH LUG

LA

N

FI

LL

E

2. Mark fin locations “FL” at arrows.

Mark launch lug line “LL” .

FIN

MATCHING LINES

OVERLAP TAB

ROUND
LEADING
EDGE

3. Stack like fins together. Sand

edges smooth. Do not sand
root edge round.

B

A

6. Apply glue inside end of A.

Insert D until it stops. Let dry.

FL

LL

FL

3. Remove guide. Extend “FL” and

“LL” lines full length on E . Use
door frame as a straight edge.

DOOR FRAME

ROOT
EDGE

TRAILING
EDGE

4. Sand leading

edge round.

LEADING

EDGE

TRAILING

EDGE

D

J

1. Glue I and J together

forming Fin Alignment
Guide. Let dry.

2. Apply glue to root edge of H.

JOIN BODY TUBES

F

5/8"

(16 mm)

1. Measure and mark F .

2. Apply ring of glue inside E .

Insert F to mark. Wipe excess

glue. Let dry.

LAUNCH LUG ATTACHMENT

(25.4 cm)

10"

1. Extend launch lug line on G.

Measure and mark on “LL” .

LL

2. Sand N with fine sandpaper.

Measure and cut N.

ENGINE MOUNT ATTACHMENT

2-1/2"

(64 mm)

1. Apply glue

inside of E .

H

Let dry 1 minute. Apply 2nd layer
of glue. Attach H even with end
of E.

3. Repeat for remaining H. Use Fin

Alignment Guide for accuracy. Let dry.

LL

E

m

1"

(25

m

)

N

2. Slide engine mount assembly

half way into E with B aligned
with launch lug.

F

LL

3. Apply ring of glue to inside of G.

Slide F into G. Wipe excess glue. Let dry.

3. Apply glue to E. Position N centered on “LL”

even with end. Apply glue to G forward of mark.
Position N centered on “LL” . Let dry.

3. Apply ring of glue to

rear C .Slide engine
mount assembly even
with E so B is aligned
with “LL” .

Let dry.

Complete assembly.

O

1. Screw O centered in K .

K

L

ADD
MASKING TAPE.

2. Check fit of K and M in L. Sand as

required for fit. Separate parts until

SAND FOR FIT.

painted. DO NOT GLUE IN PLACE.

SHOCK CORD INSTALLATION

1 1/2” (38 mm)

G

ORD

T

C

3

N
O

I

MOUN

T
C

SHOCK

E

2

S

N
O

I

T
C

E

1

S

N
O

I

T

C
E
S

3

1

2

3

P

1. Cut S from

pattern.

2. Apply glue

to section 2.
Place P on
glue. Fold
forward.

3. Apply glue and fold

forward.

4. Squeeze tight!

5. Apply glue to shock cord mount

and insert in body tube. Hold
until glue sets. Let dry.

FINISHING ROCKET

LL

NOTE: We have found Testors spray primers (Testors #2948 White Primer), Testors One Coat Lacquer spray paints (color
of your choice), Te stors Model Master spray paints (color of your choice) and Testors Gloss Lacquer (#1961) to be excellent
for providing a long lasting and durable finish on your rocket. Always be sure to spray your models outside or in a well
ventilated area.

Steps to a quality finish

1. Insert shock cord into body tube and hold in place with paper.

2. Lightly sand body tube, fins and nose cone with fine sandpaper (#320 or #400 grit).

3. Apply glue fillets to fins, joints and launch lugs.
a. Allow glue to dry overnight.

4. Insert a dowel into the engine tube end of the rocket for painting.

5. Insert small nail in nose cone base and hold with pliers or clip for painting.

6. Hold screw eye with pliers for painting.

7. We recommend a good filler/primer to be applied to the balsa fins, tube adapter and nose cone before painting.

8. Apply 1-2 light coats of white primer to rocket body, tube adapter and nose cone, lightly sanding with fine sandpaper (#320

or #400 grit) between coats.

a. Allow to dry between each coat.

9. Apply gloss white to rocket body.
a.

Let dry overnight (24 hours is best).

10. Paint nose cone and tube adapter silver or platinum.
a. Allow paint to dry overnight (24 hours is best).

11. Apply water slide decals where shown. Cut the decal to be applied from the decal sheet, trimming close to the decal edge.
a. Hold the decal in warm water until decal begins to curl.
b. Remove the entire decal, position in place and slide the decal from the backing material and onto

the model as close to final position as possible.
c. Gently blot out excess water with a clean paper towel.
d. Allow decals to set overnight before applying protective clear coat. Allow to set overnight.

12. When decals are dry, spray entire rocket (main body, tube adapter and nose cone separately) with a light coat of

Testors Gloss Lacquer (#1961). This will provide added protection and shine to your Magician

TM

rocket!

Page 2 Page 3 Page 4