Quote:
> Usually the rule of thumb is WEIGHT! For a 4 to 5 pound rocket, I would
> definately use a 1/2" lug. A 1/4" rod would be too flimsy. The slightest
> wind would the cause the rocket to sway back and forth on the pad causing
> it to take off at any angle. You want to get the most solid launch you can.
Agreed.
Quote:
> Now, if you might happen to have a 1/4" graphite/epoxy rod that is very stiff,
> you might want to use that (I don't know anyone that has one <G>) Or, if you
> are going for altitude and don't want a lug, use a tower.
I have several. They can be had from kite stores like Into the Wind. They
are strong and MUCH lighter than steel rod. Unfortunately, they aren't
really any stiffer.They come in lengths from 32" fro the 1/4" OD to 54" for
the 1/2" OD. I use an internal coupler to fasten 2 pieces together much as
the estes launch rods do. Epoxy or CA the ferrule into one half of the tube.
For altitude, use a tower. For Scale models, especially sounding rockets
(long and skinny) you can try what I did back in 1988 when we first flew
Giant Scale at a NARAM: I put my launch lug on the INSIDE of the tube, as
part of the motor mount. With a 5' rocket, I had 4' from motor mount to
bottom of nose cone, so I let the launch rod go up inside the model. The
lug was a 12" brass tube installed at the outside edge of the motor mount,
thru the centering rings. I didn't bother sealing the tube for ejection,
there was plenty of puff to eject the nose cone. I even talked NAR president
Bundick into this technique for his scale model.
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