In general, I feel the hardware that came with the kit lacked the overall heavy duty components I would use to construct this level 3 project. The connecting u-bolts and payload bay hardware was 1/4" cold rolled steel. I upgraded all 1/4" steel hardware to 5/16" stainless steel.
The tubular nylon shock cords packaged with the kit were upgraded to 5/8" tubular Kevlar with looped and stitched ends.
In the photos below you can compare the original hardware next to the upgraded materials that will be used in the construction. Holes through the plywood will need to be increased in size and recentered as necessary.
The single u-bolt for the booster portion was replaced with 2 u-bolts on either side of the 4" motor mount tube. The stock motor mount tube was replaced with a heavy duty (heavier wall) tube as shown. This upgrade will require that the center hole of the 3 centering rings will need to be sanded to increase the inner diameter to fit.
The launch lugs were also not like pictured in the instructions. Very small rail buttons were shipped with the kit. I replaces them with
3/4" copper pipe and 12" oak standoffs to clear the nose cone. The standoffs will be tapered and sanded to contour the body tube.
For the motor retainer assembly, the threaded inserts that came with it were upgraded to washers and ny-lock nuts from the back side of the mount.
