Estes Engine Hook Cutting Guides

Chances are if you have built just a few model rockets you have come across the instruction for installing an engine hook in the engine mount tube. The instructions will typically tell you to mark the tube 1/4 inch from the end and cut a 1/8-inch wide opening.

These 3D printed engine hook cutting guides provide support inside the tube while cutting, preventing crushed tube ends. It also prevents cut fingers from placing a finger too far inside the tube while cutting the opening. The STL files include all of the Estes engine casing sizes

These guides fit over the top of the engine mount tube, providing a guide to cut the opening for the engine hook exactly 1/4-inch from the top of the tube. If the tube is the same length as the engine, this will result in a 1/4-inch overhang of the engine hook past the bottom of the tube. These can be used in conjunction with the corresponding Estes Engine Block Spacer Tools.

The cutting guides can be used in conjunction with the Engine Block Spacer Tools released earlier. These should be used when the instructions call for both an engine block and engine hook used in combination. When using both, use the cutting guide first to make the incision in the tube. Then slide the engine block in place using the spacer tool. Finally, slip the engine hook into the slot and secure to the motor tube per the instructions.

As these do not have any real amount of stress applied during use, we used only a 12% infill using a grid pattern. The guides were printed in a vertical position with the tube opening at the top. A brim was used to increase surface area on the bed and no supports are needed.

The guides were designed using Tinkercad. They can be found at https://www.tinkercad.com/things/d75HSjjc7fZ-engine-hook-cutting-guide