Brand X Hardware

[rdbones]

I am looking for review on Brand X Hardware.

Mainly in the 76, 98 and 152mm sizes.

Thanks

[patelldp]

I am looking for review on Brand X Hardware.

Mainly in the 76, 98 and 152mm sizes.

Thanks

I have heard many good things about Ed at Brand X. I've seen his 76mm-6000 case before, and the machining look to be right on par with every other manufacturer. His nozzles also look very well machined, with great care taken to make sure everything looks nice and smooth.

[skycopp]

Ditto what patelldp said.

BrandX is good stuff.

[UPscaler]

Agreed, the biggest I've ever used is 38( kosdon hardware for bigger stuff typically), but a buddy flies 54-98 constantly, and the cases are very professionally done.





Braden

[Dan_G]

I have the 75mm 5-grain (75-6000) and 98mm 2 grain (98-5000), 3 grain (98-7500) and 4 grain (98-10,000) cases. Very nice workmanship. The 98-10,000 case has 10+ flights on it. The nozzle and case are doing just fine. I have 75mm and 98mm 2" smoke forward closures. They work very nicely as well. What's not to like. Well made stuff at a reasonable price.

Dan

[rdbones]

Thanks Everyone!

I was hoping that the reviews would be good, but I also know about the "you get what you pay for rule" and since they are, in some cases, considerably less expensive I wanted to get a few other opinions.

Looks like I might just have to get something in the 76mm range. :D

[VARocketflyer]

Thanks Everyone!

I was hoping that the reviews would be good, but I also know about the "you get what you pay for rule" and since they are, in some cases, considerably less expensive I wanted to get a few other opinions.

Looks like I might just have to get something in the 76mm range. :D

One of the reasons for the price difference is that the cases are not anodized, which saves a considerable amount when you are not doing large batches. Ed's machine work is top notch, I believe you'll be happy with his product.

Mark

[Buckeyegator]

I have some of Ed's motors from 38mm through 98mm and I really like them. Couple the top notch machining with the best nozzles in the business, and you get a winning formula.

Terry

[cwbullet]

Any body have any pictures?

[amarillo_rocket]

Great cases. Never had any problems with them.

[isobig]

Where do I find these? Never heard of them before.

[cavecentral]

Where do I find these? Never heard of them before.

Tru-core - these are for research motors

http://www.rocketsaway.com/html/brandx_motors.html

[cwbullet]

These are well made casings.

[JDcluster]

He made me a 54mm short 2 grain I motor back about 2 years ago. It must have about 5-6 flights on it now....
I use it for playing with new formulas I come up with.

He just recently shortened a 54mm x 1400 AMW that I CATOed about 4 years ago.


Here's a pic of it next to a AMW 54mm x 1050 Ns case for scale factor.


JD

[RocketManDan]

One of the reasons for the price difference is that the cases are not anodized, which saves a considerable amount when you are not doing large batches. Ed's machine work is top notch, I believe you'll be happy with his product.

Mark

Does anodizing provide any protection to the case itself?

[cwbullet]

What do the closures look like?

[alexzogh]

I have a used 4 grain 98mm case, closures and nozzle. No problems at all.

Should be aware that at least the 98mm are different measurements than the AMW standard, so you will need to use the right liners, etc...

It isn't anodized, which I don't find to be a big deal. IMHO most of the time people anodize the aluminum just so that the color dye adhere's properly (Gorilla Green, Loki Blue, etc..). There are also advantages for anti-corrosion since it leaves a thick oxidized layer, and does make it a little stronger.

the disadvantage to anodizing which I haven't heard discussed much is it dramatically lowers the thermal conductivity of aluminum. Good so that you don't bake your motor tube, but will make it crack if it gets too hot.

Good faq here: http://www.tech-faq.com/anodizing-aluminum.html

I have found no issues, but I generally clean my cases the same day I fly.

[JDcluster]

They look just like AMW but bare AL.

JD



What do the closures look like?

[rocketsaway]

Ok, from what I got, the lighter AMW cases are the same, but the darker, newer 98s ID are abit smaller. Yep, a change in dims

Thats alittle overboard. Anoidizing doesnt make the cases any stronger.

Any cases(AMW,Loki,Kosdon,Brandx,etc) Ive seen crack were from overpressere, right at ignition. More likely to bubble or bulge due to excessive heat and/or pressure. But I was told something about Kosdon gold, sorry cant recall.

Ive repaired many diff cases. AMW was the only one hardcoat. Will kill a bit. All others, Type II and even Type I(will rub off w/light sandpaper). Dark dyes hide imperfections.

Have some older BrandX cases, 5yrs or more, been sitting in the house. They dont have any oxidation. Cleaned w/ WD40. But if a uncleaned case is left in the outside shop, it will get white inside. Clean it will be ok.

My view on anoidizing for rocket motor hardware, its only purpose is for cleaning. and for the pretty factor. Ive seen them eventually wear off from excessive cleaning.
If you want pretty, put that money into your rocket model.

[JDcluster]

Actually Ed, the newer darker AMW 98mm's are larger in dia.
I bought a 98mm x 11k at RG in April and the liner / casting tube set ( I bought from you) is a bit loose. Joel has been trying to sell off some old closures and nozzless from the older smaller hardware. 3.55 something vs 3.6 something for the newer stuff.



JD


Ok, from what I got, the lighter AMW cases are the same, but the darker, newer 98s ID are abit smaller. Yep, a change in dims

Thats alittle overboard. Anoidizing doesnt make the cases any stronger.

Any cases(AMW,Loki,Kosdon,Brandx,etc) Ive seen crack were from overpressere, right at ignition. More likely to bubble or bulge due to excessive heat and/or pressure. But I was told something about Kosdon gold, sorry cant recall.

Ive repaired many diff cases. AMW was the only one hardcoat. Will kill a bit. All others, Type II and even Type I(will rub off w/light sandpaper). Dark dyes hide imperfections.

Have some older BrandX cases, 5yrs or more, been sitting in the house. They dont have any oxidation. Cleaned w/ WD40. But if a uncleaned case is left in the outside shop, it will get white inside. Clean it will be ok.

My view on anoidizing for rocket motor hardware, its only purpose is for cleaning. and for the pretty factor. Ive seen them eventually wear off from excessive cleaning.
If you want pretty, put that money into your rocket model.

[gdjsky01]

Stupid question of the day: if they are used in research motors, then how cn you claim a particular grain capacity?? Like 2 grain or 3 etc. it's whatever you cast oui?

[JDcluster]

It is whatever you intend to use it as...
It works best as a 2 grain. I did try 1 long grain but, it chuffed before it took off.

JD


Stupid question of the day: if they are used in research motors, then how cn you claim a particular grain capacity?? Like 2 grain or 3 etc. it's whatever you cast oui?

[gdjsky01]

Which begs the question why the number of grains would make a difference in chuffing???

[cavecentral]

Most come with a nozzle that works best with 2, 4, or whatever number of bates grains.

If you change the grain configuration or type, you change the Kn (ration of nozzle area to propellant surface area. Too low of a Kn makes motors chuff.

[rocketsaway]

Actually Ed, the newer darker AMW 98mm's are larger in dia.
I bought a 98mm x 11k at RG in April and the liner / casting tube set ( I bought from you) is a bit loose. Joel has been trying to sell off some old closures and nozzless from the older smaller hardware. 3.55 something vs 3.6 something for the newer stuff.



JD

I had it assbackwards. The new nozzles are about .0x" larger in OD. Too much to wrap tape around the liner, perhaps cardboard. The liner shoulder dims are the same. So that means the grains are the same OD? Never thought about it, I only make the nozzles.

[JDcluster]

Each formula works within a certain range, if you miss that window: the motor doesn't preform as expected.

JD


Which begs the question why the number of grains would make a difference in chuffing???

[butalane]

[QUOTE=gdjsky01;266119]Which begs the question why the number of grains would make a difference in chuffing???[/QUO

If you use the recommended nozzle and core geometries the KN is fixed save for the contribution of the grain faces. A 2 grain vs a 1 grain will have 2 more faces and increase the initial KN.

[gdjsky01]

[QUOTE=gdjsky01;266119]
If you use the recommended nozzle and core geometries the KN is fixed save for the contribution of the grain faces. A 2 grain vs a 1 grain will have 2 more faces and increase the initial KN.


Ah ha. I thought it was from the core to the rim of course. But I did not know they were designed to burn on the fore and aft face of the grains as well. Learned something new today.