Brief:
This is a new Estes rocket that comess as a whole kit including launch pad, controller and (2) engines. I found it at Wal-Mart for $20 and could not pass up such a good price.

Construction:
This comes with:

• a very detailed instruction sheet with pictures. The instructions call it a "Deluxe Super Shot / Screw Machine".
• Plastic nose cone
• (4) body tubes
• screw couplers
• plastic engine mount and cap
• (3) type sets of (4) plastic fins
• 18" estes plastic parachute (assembled)
• 1/4 x 24" shock cord

This was extremely easy to build. Using nothing but CA (Super Glue), I had this rocket ready to fly in about 10 minutes. All you have to do is glue a few of the body tubes together, and glue together the engine mount which comes in two halves. The fins do NOT glue in. By removing the twist cap that holds the engine in, you can switch fins out between every flight in just seconds. The first fin set looks like the Mini Mean Machine, the same fins upside down (forward swept) for the second set, and like the Alpha shape with the third set. The way the body tubes just screw together gives a few choices of rocket length for each launch. It comes with a two foot shock cord, but I would use one 4-6 feet long at least. This one is going to go very high on a C.

Finishing:
Being a fan of the old days, when I would have never considering messing with a kit that did not have balsa fins, I have to be honest and admit that I think these new little kits from Estes with the plastic fins, do make for some fine rockets. This goes together with nothing but some CA (Super Glue). No paint required. No decals required as it is printed "SCREW MACHINE" on one of the prismatic body tubes. I have never seen a simple systems that allows for changing out fins just as quick as the motor, which works great. I am certain that this would fly well on a D engine with modification to the engine mount area alone.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
Using the B6-4's that came with it, the forward swept fins and all body tubes, stock chute system, it tested out just fine. The flights went to about 500-600 feet.

Recommended Motors: A8-3, B4-2, B4-4, B6-4, B6-6

Recovery:
Flight recovery was fine, but like most inexpensive rocket kits, the shock cord was two short. While it is 2 feet it should be at least 6. Also, with a low powered rocket which will quickly scoot to nice heights, the recovery system could be improved with a 2 foot section of Kevlar® cord. The body tube connector designed for the base tube and engine area has an X shape which would be perfect for mounting a cord.

Flight Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:
This is a good rocket kit for a steal of a price. The rocket alone is worth the $20.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

Brief:
6 piece rocket that can be customized in length and fin shape.

Construction:
As a newcomer to model rocketry I have broken and lost many rockets and equipment. One RTF that caught my eye was the Super Shot Deluxe Screw Machine by Estes. I needed a new launch pad so I decided to purchase it. $19 at the local Wal-mart was quite a steal as the retail is around $40. The rocket is a little short of 4 feet tall and actually has sections that unscrew and has 3 different sets of swappable fins. I really like the screw design of the tubes and the different types of fins because they allow the rocket to be customized up to 12 different ways.

The rocket took me about 10 minutes to assemble, it was a snap. (I made it with all 4 tubes for maximum length of course!) All you need is some CA (glue) to hold the body tubes to the connectors, snap on the desired fins, tie on the parachute, and you are done. After prepping the motor and taping my address to the body tube, I left for the launch site. The first launch was on a B6-4, which disappointed me with a height of only around 100 feet. The second and 3rd time I launched it with a C6-5, and of course, it went considerably higher at around 500-600 feet. Recovery was easy through the 18 inch chute, and on all 3 flights it landed within around 200 feet of the launch site.

Finishing:
The body comes with a wrap already applied and there are no decals. There is nothing to do cosmetically except tape your name to a fin so you have a chance of retrieving a rocket if it happens to land in a neighbors yard without you knowing.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
I recommend a C6-5 motor if you have all four body tubes connected so you will gain some reasonable altitude, otherwise it does not go very high. Be careful when launching less tubes with a C motor or you may lose track of the rocket.

Recovery:
The rocket went straight up, and then paused horizontally for a second, then ejection took place. It drifted slowly back to Earth via the 18 inch chute. No damage was sustained.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
The Screw Machine is an excellent rocket for a beginner who wants to get a launch pad, controller, and a few thrills.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5