First off, building a rocket from a paper towel tube and match heads is not only prone to failure, it can be dangerous. Please learn and understand before you try to fly. If your young, you should be doing this with adult supervision. Even us older fliers need adult supervision at times. One of the goals of Tripoli is to provide rules and guidence to keep this a safe sport. Don't do this alone, it's fun to do things togeather.
If you've never flowen a rocket before, there are many small kits available at most hobby stores, and even Wal-mart. These are inexpensive and can give you knowledge and skills you'll need for larger models. You can buy larger kits from Rocket Technologies, our onsite vendor, Hub hobby in Little Canada or Richfield, or from various Internet vendors. Check out our Links link for some suggestions.
You can also attend one of our monthly launches or meetings. If there is one thing a rocketeer likes to do almost as much as flying their rockets, its talking about their rockets.
So you went out and bought your first rocket kit. Congradulations. Now the fun begins. Read the instructions carefully and completly before starting. On my first rocket, I didn't. I read the part about smearing glue on the inside of the body tube, then pushing the engine block is with a mock engine. Didn't read the next page that said to take the mock engine out and let the glue dry. I went to supper and when I got back, the mock engine had been glued into the tube permenently. So much for that kit...
Use the correct glue. Don't try to use something cheap or quick. Superglue might sound like a great alternative to white glue but it doesn't hold as well. If your building a high power model, 30 minute epoxy is your friend.