Two questions about construction (Intersection, and Orange Tanks)

[TheLastMonkeylander]

First question. When parts intersect, do they stick together? I'm thinking no, because I have intersected wings and they flop around like they are totally separated--but I have also seen designs where there is a blob of like a dozen wings in the same spot that are pretty stable. Maybe they just hid struts, though.

Second question. Are the orange fuel tanks always a recipe for disaster? Every time I use one, my rocket can't take off of the ground, regardless of how many engines I add. They also seem weaker structurally and less efficient than other tanks, even though the stats say otherwise. Is the secret just spamming small and medium sized engines at the bottom of an orange fuel tank to counteract its weight?

Edited July 29, 2013 by TheLastMonkeylander

[Vanamonde]

Except for the EAS-4 structural connector, each child part can only connect to one parent part, which is the piece you stick it to in the VAB. You can make a pretty strong connection by putting those struts between two parts you want to link, though, but just the fact that two parts touch doesn't mean there's a link between them. Orange tanks are heavier, and therefore the same force that a smaller piece survives might crush an orange. That's just a fact of physics. Getting them aloft is just a matter of balancing thrust against weight. So you need to apply enough force to lift them, but not enough to crush them. It can be difficult, but is definitely do-able.

[mcirish3]

Second question. Are the orange fuel tanks always a recipe for disaster? Every time I use one, my rocket can't take off of the ground, regardless of how many engines I add. They also seem weaker structurally and less efficient than other tanks, even though the stats say otherwise. Is the secret just spamming small and medium sized engines at the bottom of an orange fuel tank to counteract its weight?

I use Orange tanks on nearly every rocket I build, Granted I have been building them for a year now so I have some experience behind me. The key with orange tanks is to use the EAS-4 structural connector to reinforce the connection, usually at least 4 of them. I also always put a small 1/4 tank on the bottom and reinforce that connection as well. The reason is it is a workaround to the ROKMAX mainsail over heating. If you don't put 1/4 tank on your engine will overheat and blow up your ship. Oh and like Vanamonde said don't let things run into your ornge tanks they will blow up.

[TheLastMonkeylander]

Except for the EAS-4 structural connector, each child part can only connect to one parent part, which is the piece you stick it to in the VAB. You can make a pretty strong connection by putting those struts between two parts you want to link, though, but just the fact that two parts touch doesn't mean there's a link between them. Orange tanks are heavier, and therefore the same force that a smaller piece survives might crush an orange. That's just a fact of physics. Getting them aloft is just a matter of balancing thrust against weight. So you need to apply enough force to lift them, but not enough to crush them. It can be difficult, but is definitely do-able.

Wait, so struts connect not just the start point and endpoint but also the ones in between? Or am I misunderstanding you?

I use Orange tanks on nearly every rocket I build, Granted I have been building them for a year now so I have some experience behind me. The key with orange tanks is to use the EAS-4 structural connector to reinforce the connection, usually at least 4 of them. I also always put a small 1/4 tank on the bottom and reinforce that connection as well. The reason is it is a workaround to the ROKMAX mainsail over heating. If you don't put 1/4 tank on your engine will overheat and blow up your ship. Oh and like Vanamonde said don't let things run into your ornge tanks they will blow up.

When you say 1/4 tank, which specific part do you mean? The X200-8? Edited July 29, 2013 by TheLastMonkeylander

[Vanamonde]

Wait, so struts connect not just the start point and endpoint but also the ones in between? Or am I misunderstanding you?

Each part can only be attached to 1 part when you place it in the VAB. Even if it touches another part, there is no connection. But you can link two touching, or even simply two nearby pieces, by stretching a strut between them. But the strut will only connect those 2 parts, and nothing else. A strut can not connect 3 parts under any circumstances. I hope that was clearer. And yes, I think mcirish was talking about the X200-8; it's what I use for that purpose.

[TheLastMonkeylander]

Each part can only be attached to 1 part when you place it in the VAB. Even if it touches another part, there is no connection. But you can link two touching, or even simply two nearby pieces, by stretching a strut between them. But the strut will only connect those 2 parts, and nothing else. A strut can not connect 3 parts under any circumstances. I hope that was clearer. And yes, I think mcirish was talking about the X200-8; it's what I use for that purpose.

Alright, thanks for the info.

Do you know how strong a strutless connection is? For example if I attach one fuel tank to another radially with no decoupler, or pylon, or struts.