What happened to Blastcap Rocketry?

crossfire said:

I have used the Pratt type for years. They have never failed me. And nothing to clean.

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I agree 100%. Used them exclusively for 15 years or so- never had one fail.

mpitfield said:

If you are after a very similar to what Gary offered, similar in materials used and design. Then look at MAC performance rocketry's aluminum deployment canisters https://shop.macperformancerocketry.com/collections/aluminum-deployment-charge-canisters

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+1.

I use latex tubing and zip ties exclusively.

Binder Design said:

I use latex tubing and zip ties exclusively.

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How high can this be used? Looking to do 30k and planned on this method. Any advise on this method other than tight packing and ground testing?

Binder Design said:

I use latex tubing and zip ties exclusively.

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Forrrrr?

majordude said:

Forrrrr?

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Ejection charge containers.

GRIFFIN said:

How high can this be used? Looking to do 30k and planned on this method. Any advise on this method other than tight packing and ground testing?

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100K' or higher? I don't think anyone has hit the upper limit yet, AFAIK. Fold the tubing over and use two zip ties on each end as tight as you can get them.

Binder Design said:

100K' or higher? I don't think anyone has hit the upper limit yet, AFAIK. Fold the tubing over and use two zip ties on each end as tight as you can get them.

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Ok, good. Thank you.

mpitfield said:

If you are after a very similar to what Gary offered, similar in materials used and design. Then look at MAC performance rocketry's aluminum deployment canisters https://shop.macperformancerocketry.com/collections/aluminum-deployment-charge-canisters

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Those looked good - ordered two pair for the two rockets I'm currently working on.

I've used Gary's Blast Caps for years and loved them, so it will be nice to have something similar until he (hopefully) gets back in business.

EDIT: I placed the order at MAC performance and a few hours later I got a shipping notice. Very impressed - things I like to see from a company, especially after placing my first order. That was one of the things I liked about Gary, he always shipped the blast caps immediately. I'm a pretty prolific rocket builder, and most of my rockets run dual alts, so I used four blast caps per rocket. I would order eight pairs at a time, I still have a pair left that I'll be using soon.

I have used these aluminum keychain pill holders from Rite Aid at $4 each. Worked well in ground testing.

Now, that's thinking outside the pillbox! :wink:

Ya, great idea!

TKnox said:

I have used these aluminum keychain pill holders from Rite Aid at $4 each. Worked well in ground testing. View attachment 299327

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Well, just went "all in" here and ordered 40 pcs from a US eBay seller. I went with him/her because the overall size was smaller than the typical sizing you find offered and the product still had a flat surface on the bottom (most offerings on eBay have round bottoms). Price was fabulous, but really don't want to share source yet until I get them in and test them. If they work out, by my calculations, this option will be cheaper and lighter than my normal use of copper pipe.

TKnox said:

I have used these aluminum keychain pill holders from Rite Aid at $4 each. Worked well in ground testing. View attachment 299327

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Brilliant solution.

dixontj93060 said:

Well, just went "all in" here and ordered 40 pcs from a US eBay seller. I went with him/her because the overall size was smaller than the typical sizing you find offered and the product still had a flat surface on the bottom (most offerings on eBay have round bottoms). Price was fabulous, but really don't want to share source yet until I get them in and test them. If they work out, by my calculations, this option will be cheaper and lighter than my normal use of copper pipe.

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If they work out, I hope you'll share the particulars.

They worked fine in ground testing. Since they are directed charges, they should continue to hold up fine. Hope things work out well for you. I have access to a friend's lathe and have turned some aluminum and also some Deleon charge canisters, but with the price of these, it isn't really worth the time for me to make any. Hope they work well for you.

TKnox said:

I have used these aluminum keychain pill holders from Rite Aid at $4 each. Worked well in ground testing. View attachment 299327

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Good idea. Several folks ahem used them before. They work as well as any canister.

Here is one of many I have grounded tested.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-P...649726?hash=item41a2d395fe:g:8xoAAOSwgApW~c8n

How much powder do you think they will hold?

CWBullet, That's even a better price! Crossfire, the ones I have would likely hold up to 5-6 without a problem. I used 2.8 and 3.5 and packed some dog barf on top to keep them slightly compressed. Worked well.

Trey

cwbullet said:

Good idea. Several folks ahem used them before. They work as well as any canister.

Here is one of many I have grounded tested.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-P...649726?hash=item41a2d395fe:g:8xoAAOSwgApW~c8n

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Yeah, I saw those but I couldn't buy more than 12 and didn't really want to wait for the China delivery.

crossfire said:

How much powder do you think they will hold?

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There are many different sizes.

Here is another one. These hold a lot of powder.

Looking for something smaller? We just added a 2.5gr version of our popular 4.5gr deployment charge canisters. Available at www.macperformancerocketry.com

Mike Crupe
MAC Performance Rocketry

bigger. 12 gr

I had the blast cap wells on all my duel deploy rockets. They were easy to clean, easy to install and easy to load with BP. Yes they were nice and a great product. I'm sorry to see Gary gave up the blast cap business and I do understand why he did. Would Gary reconsider opening up the business again?