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If you think I'm going to bring up this thread and point out 'Look, Honey-all the other guys are spending the same as me!", you have a hole in your nozzle....
If you think I'm going to bring up this thread and point out 'Look, Honey-all the other guys are spending the same as me!", you have a hole in your nozzle....
Since January 2013 I've burned 23,000 N-s in research motors. That's three big 75 L's, one 54 small L, five 54 K's, and several 38 and 28 H and I motors. Never really done the math, but I would guess this took less than $200 in chemicals (commercial equivalent would be about $1400 worth). Research is the only way to fly big motors often (and save for the kid's college education at the same time).
Just curious, how much investment was needed for the mixing equipment etc?
Not gonna fall for this trap. My wife is a member here.
I am the one opening those hazmat boxes and checking the contents. I know EXACTLY how much Chuck spends on motors (and cases, kits, parachutes, and all the other paraphernalia.) But to be fair, he is a L3 and I am a L2 - it adds up pretty quick.
Being an EX guy; it is a bit harder to track in motors because you buy the supplies to make the motors.
I tend to think in pounds of propellanr consumed rather than dollar signs.
For me that woulb be about 60 lbs. I burned about 25 lbs at LDRS alone.
JD
I figure about $10/lb for a Mag motor. Includes liner set.
So my 4G 76-L1750 WLC would be about $60. 2.7 kg
Igniter- $1
So, about 1/3rd the cost of commerical?? Not trying to start a divergence into a "EX costs" discussion and associated equipment/labor/failure costs, but I am curious of most EX'ers see that kind of cost differential from commerical.
Keep in mind that you pay a premium price when you buy AP 5 and 10 pounds at a time....but does the average person want to buy 100 pounds at a time?
-Kevin
WAY more than I'd like to calculate....
Scary thing is that I have has more success with rocket motor making than I have with beer making...
So, about 1/3rd the cost of commerical?? Not trying to start a divergence into a "EX costs" discussion and associated equipment/labor/failure costs, but I am curious of most EX'ers see that kind of cost differential from commerical.
Depends on whats your time worth. Should I include labor costs ? Prepping, mixing, packing, cleaning. Not to mention time calculating formulas.
or..do you have more money than time.
While Im spending time Sat, mixing, you may be in your pool w/ a margarita.
Besides, the thread is about spending for motors, whether 1/4A or EX Ps. With the same mutual interest in the final outcome.
To make the rocket go up.
I am the one opening those hazmat boxes and checking the contents. I know EXACTLY how much Chuck spends on motors (and cases, kits, parachutes, and all the other paraphernalia.) But to be fair, he is a L3 and I am a L2 - it adds up pretty quick.
You mean the Kitchenaid mixer that my wife already had? Zero. Though I did buy a second bowl and paddle just for propellant. Anyway, you don't need a mixer.
But, by that point, you'll be hooked and all of a sudden gluing fins and packing parachutes will be a necessary evil to test your newest motor design.
Don't buy into the myth that you need a detached garage with custom ventilation and triple padlocked doors either, I've mixed in some weird places and know people that have done it in even weirder ones.
unfortunatly, mixing is not the same risky buisness as my highschool girlfriend, wierd places don't get you a medal.
Its a chemical certainty, you need adequate ventilaiton during, and post curing of the propellant, if you are using chemicaly cured propellants. This is not a myth.
Cyanide does go airborne, and can make you go blind.
Where people mix is absolutely a liability, and you should not discourage mitigating it.