LOC Shock Chord

[MasonH]

I have two of LOC's shock chords laying around waiting to be used. The problem is, I don't know what they CAN be used on. I want a rocket that can burn F and small G motors all day, but will the shock chord be able to handle that repeated abuse?

[chadrog]

I have two of LOC's shock chords laying around waiting to be used. The problem is, I don't know what they CAN be used on. I want a rocket that can burn F and small G motors all day, but will the shock chord be able to handle that repeated abuse?

They'll hold up fine if you keep them well protected - let the fire get to them, not so much.

[Wingarcher]

I suggest you swap for some 1/8" tubular kevlar, or similar size, for your shock cords. The LOC things are elastics, heat will make stiff spots in them, then they break at the stiff areas. Kevlar, not so much. The small diameter tubular stuff (performance hobbies, wildman, etc all carry it) is reasonably priced, strong as hell, and won't melt.

Nat

[Aksrockets]

You can get flat Nylon and tubular nylon for dirt cheap at strapworks.
http://www.strapworks.com/default.asp

You can currently get 1/2in flat nylon for $.15 a foot.
http://www.strapworks.com/Flat_Nylon...g_p/424fnw.htm

Alex

[neond7]

I have two of LOC's shock chords laying around waiting to be used. The problem is, I don't know what they CAN be used on. I want a rocket that can burn F and small G motors all day, but will the shock chord be able to handle that repeated abuse?

Are you talking about the white "stretchy" bungee cord material? Throw it away, it cost me a LOC IV when it broke. LOC has some nice tubular nylon, though. I upgraded to that on all my birds.

[cavecentral]

Are you talking about the white "stretchy" bungee cord material? Throw it away, it cost me a LOC IV when it broke. LOC has some nice tubular nylon, though. I upgraded to that on all my birds.

I must warn - if you toss the elastic and go to nylon of kevlar that does not stretch - use an eye bold on the nose cone. Cut off that plastic L to remove temptation of tying to it. I do recommend that you ditch the underwear band, but proper anchoring is required for material with no give to it.

[qquake2k]

I've used the LOC elastic shock cords on MP rockets, and they've held up fine. Just keep it protected from heat. I wouldn't use elastic on a high power rocket, though.

[neond7]

I must warn - if you toss the elastic and go to nylon of kevlar that does not stretch - use an eye bold on the nose cone. Cut off that plastic L to remove temptation of tying to it. I do recommend that you ditch the underwear band, but proper anchoring is required for material with no give to it.

I make a loop a few feet back from the end of the shock cord and then attach a quick link to that. Then I attach my parachute (most of mine have swivels) to that quick link. I then attach the end of the shock cord to the plastic loop on the nose cone. Since all of the weight of the rocket is transferred directly to the quicklink holding the parachute, the nose cone doesn't get much force on it at all. I've never had a problem with it. If the plastic loop did happen to break, the nose cone would fall, but the rest of the rocket would be firmly attached via the nylon shock cord/quicklink/swivel/parachute.
By keeping the nose cone a few feet from the loop I make in the shock cord to attach the quicklink, and the body of the rocket on the longer section of shock cord, they don't bang together on the way down. I've seen a few rockets heavily damaged on the way down when someone attached the parachute to the middle of the shock cord. Ouch.

[cavecentral]

I make a loop a few feet back from the end of the shock cord and then attach a quick link to that. Then I attach my parachute (most of mine have swivels) to that quick link. I then attach the end of the shock cord to the plastic loop on the nose cone. Since all of the weight of the rocket is transferred directly to the quicklink holding the parachute, the nose cone doesn't get much force on it at all. I've never had a problem with it. If the plastic loop did happen to break, the nose cone would fall, but the rest of the rocket would be firmly attached via the nylon shock cord/quicklink/swivel/parachute.
By keeping the nose cone a few feet from the loop I make in the shock cord to attach the quicklink, and the body of the rocket on the longer section of shock cord, they don't bang together on the way down. I've seen a few rockets heavily damaged on the way down when someone attached the parachute to the middle of the shock cord. Ouch.

I had as many separations from the setup you discribe with the plactic hook on 3" to 5.38" LOC cones as I have from charred elastic bads. I learned my lesson. Best of luck.

[grouch]

I use mine to hang parts up when I paint them. I have it so why not use it?

[MasonH]

I use mine to hang parts up when I paint them. I have it so why not use it?

...why didn't I think of that? That's a good idea! I just leave mine inside of my range box in case of emergency. Never trusted it for anything larger than the NPM, and even in that I use kevlar.

[chefmarkt69]

I have the nylon non strech ones on all my rocks and they are good! here is a shot of a warlock that I used for my L2