Would the PML URETHANE RAIL GUIDES for standard 1010 rails work ok for a 3" min dia rocket with a 75mm 6000 M motor?
The aluminium rail guides running on aluminium rails are not too good as they tend to spall and damage the rail. There are clubs and individuals that will not allow aluminium guides or buttons to be used on their rails.Sure. They might be single use, but they will work.
I prefer the aluminum conformal rail guides from GiantLeap, but the PML should work as well. Justin
The aluminium rail guides running on aluminium rails are not too good as they tend to spall and damage the rail. There are clubs and individuals that will not allow aluminium guides or buttons to be used on their rails.
Would the PML URETHANE RAIL GUIDES for standard 1010 rails work ok for a 3" min dia rocket with a 75mm 6000 M motor? rocket with motor ready to fly is 18 pounds
They will work, but I would highly recommend moving up to the ones for the 1515 (Extreme) rail. Not so much for the guides, but based on the motor size and rocket weight I think you should have a heavier duty pad then what most 1010 rail pads are. Most pads are sized for the rail and the pads with 1515 rail are usually much heavyer and stronger then the pads designed for 1010 rail. With the 18 lb rocket and a level 3 motor, I would highly recommend the larger rail.
Me, I prefer delrin/nylon buttons. I've seen conformals pop off, which isn't a good thing....
-Kevin
The motor is most of the weight at 12.20 pounds and the rocket at under 5 pounds ready to fly. I may need to build a tower so I don't have to put any thing on the tube that will hinder the altitude
I disagree with this. I do not see any problem with using a standard 1010 rail. I have flown a 4" 31lbs. rocket off a standard rail with an M. I saw several 3 and 4 inch min diameter rockets launch off standard 1010 rails at AIRFest the beginning of this month. Why would you want to add the additional drag of large buttons to a min diameter rocket? I add another vote for the conformal launch lugs. Just makes sure to scuff the the backside up and the bodytube and JB Weld them on. Talking with members of our club, somewhere between 40 and 50 lbs is when you really need to start looking at large rail buttons.
YMMV
Eric
I don't disagree that 1010 rail can work for large rockets. It's not the rail I would be worried about, it's the pad the rail is attached to. As long as the pad itself is stout enough, you can launch almost anything off 1010 rail. I know at our club you will not be allowed to launch a M motor off a 1010 rail because we don't have any pads strong enough with 1010 rail on them.
Big buttons on a 3" min diameter rocket vs. small buttons with a big M loaded could be as much as 1,000 or more difference according to some sims I have done with RASAero.
Eric
Sims are just that Simulations, There is no way your going to lose a 1000' off the flight due to using extreme buttons over standard.
Sims are just that Simulations, There is no way your going to lose a 1000' off the flight due to using extreme buttons over standard.
Aluminum guides are fine, if they are perfectly aligned. The problems occur when they're not lined up properly.
Me, I prefer delrin/nylon buttons. I've seen conformals pop off, which isn't a good thing....
-Kevin
I saw several 3 and 4 inch min diameter rockets launch off standard 1010 rails at AIRFest the beginning of this month.
Enter your email address to join: