AeroTech Open Thread

[Rick Thome]

This is my first post.... thought I would chime in on this long thread..... I own and operate Treasure Valley Rocketry. I am a smaller company and supply to our local club. I do not have a website yet, and I have not looked into setting up for shipping orders.... too busy with my regular business... the one that makes me money.

I am only posting this to maybe help someone out if they live in, or visit the Pacific Northwest. I live in Nampa Idaho, which is just outside of Boise. My inventory is mainly reloads and DMS's, but I do have a good assortment of hardware. Sounds like our club has been spoiled.... LOL.

 

[gldknght]

So let's eat our suppliers. Treat them like crap and speak ill of them every chance we get. Pretty sure that will be in our best interest. Once we run AT in the ground, we can work on CTI. Then we'll set our sights on Loki. Sound good??

It occurs to me we don't need to beat Aerotech up on this thread. Aerotech seems to be dong a fine job beating themselves up with out our help. And we have tried to help, but most of our requests have gone unanswered. They have come out with a few new cool reloads, but we can't buy motor cases to fly them. How does that help us? What good is a supplier who does not supply?

If you are hungry for a hotdog, and go to the hotdog stand only to find he is out of hotdogs, how many times will you go back to him or how long will you wait for a hotdog, before you decide a hamburger sounds pretty good?

3 YEARS this thread has been going, not much has changed. Time to consider other options.

 

[dshmel]

I think this hobby costs too much time and money, period, and you should probably underplay that fact when talking to others, especially your significant other!

My wife thinks that my friends who play golf spend as much money as I do on rocketry. I just smile and nod in agreement.

 

[DAllen]

Sell your cases while can. There won't be a shortage for long.

Hahahahahaha!!!!

Oh wait...are you serious?

 

[BF Rockets]

You guys check Wildman for hardware?
A few random checks in each size 29 through 75mm, and I didn't see anything out of stock.

 

[mrwalsh85]

The plugged 29mm closure while nice to have is far from a necessity. I have one for over 5 years and haven't used it yet but won't get rid of it for love or money. Just grease the delay grain and you are done...instant plugged closure.

I guess I need to correct myself. I need a 29mm plugged, tapped forward closure. One that I can thread an eyebolt into. I do have a plugged closure and have used it a few times. However I really want (need) a tapped forward closure so that I can use my cases as my recovery harness anchor point. I refuse to modify a closure, for that would nullify the certification for that closure and render the assembly an EX motor, and even then I don't think I would be able to fly it because I did not manufacture the motor, but that's a different conversation for a different day.

 

[DAllen]

You guys check Wildman for hardware?
A few random checks in each size 29 through 75mm, and I didn't see anything out of stock.

Does he keep his inventory up to date on the web site? The way the BF sales are run with orders going unfulfilled for long periods I'm thinking not but I really have no idea.

That is a serious question by the way.

 

[Ez2cDave]

Yesterday a lost an Aerotech mustang and a 29/40-120 motor case.

"gldknight",

I have a BRAND NEW, never-used Aerotech 29mm 40-120 motor assembly. ( The original "painted-on" logo was removed with Acetone, but it is ORIGINAL and unused )

Also, there is a BRAND NEW, never-used Aerotech 24mm 24 / 20-40 RC motor assembly.

( PICS BELOW )

Shoot me an email, if you are interested . . . [email protected]

Dave F.

 

[deangelo54]

Hi Charlie,
Looking at the dates of prior posts I'm not sure you are still monitoring this topic. I used to use at lot of Aerotech single use 24 and 29mm motors. In the last three years the AT single use motors have been harder to find with each year harder than the previous. It got to the point where I have been using CTI reloads and phasing out AT. I keep past records of my purchases and noticed a 30% or more price increase of the F42 motor that I used to use a lot but not anymore. When I called AT customer support about prices and lack of inventory I got disrespectful replies. Even the new F67 series was no where to be found until recently. During shortages I noticed that suppliers with the highest prices had inventory.

Take Care,

Frank DeAngelo
NAR 82715
CMASS
MMMSC

 

[gldknght]

"gldknight",

I have a BRAND NEW, never-used Aerotech 29mm 40-120 motor assembly. ( The original "painted-on" logo was removed with Acetone, but it is ORIGINAL and unused )

Also, there is a BRAND NEW, never-used Aerotech 24mm 24 / 20-40 RC motor assembly.

( PICS BELOW )

Shoot me an email, if you are interested . . . [email protected]

Dave F.


View attachment 366191 View attachment 366192 View attachment 366193 View attachment 366194

Thanks for the offer but I think I'm going to use up the Aerotech reloads I have on hand and then with a few exceptions, switch over to another option for motors

 

[Wayco]

This thread is somewhat frustrating to me, not because I need something and can't get it, but because most of the people who are complaining want some specific item and think that because they can't pick that particular item up, something is wrong with the supplier. I think that this is just a sign that our hobby is healthy. All of the motor suppliers are unable to keep up with demand. We have lots of choices, when I print out my Thrustcurve Motor Guide, there are pages of motors that will work for that rocket. Don't get hung up on that one thing you can't find.
I have been collecting motor hardware for several years now, and ALWAYS find what I want if I look around for it. If you can't find it with your favorite vendor, that doesn't mean it can't be found. Sharon and I both love to fly the K456 and K540 AT motors, and have a dozen rockets that fly great with the motors that fit the 54/1706 casing. Last year I went on a mission to get more of those casings and now have six of them. The stuff is out there, just put some effort into finding it.

 

[gldknght]

This thread is somewhat frustrating to me, not because I need something and can't get it, but because most of the people who are complaining want some specific item and think that because they can't pick that particular item up, something is wrong with the supplier. I think that this is just a sign that our hobby is healthy. All of the motor suppliers are unable to keep up with demand. We have lots of choices, when I print out my Thrustcurve Motor Guide, there are pages of motors that will work for that rocket. Don't get hung up on that one thing you can't find.
I have been collecting motor hardware for several years now, and ALWAYS find what I want if I look around for it. If you can't find it with your favorite vendor, that doesn't mean it can't be found. Sharon and I both love to fly the K456 and K540 AT motors, and have a dozen rockets that fly great with the motors that fit the 54/1706 casing. Last year I went on a mission to get more of those casings and now have six of them. The stuff is out there, just put some effort into finding it.

I understand what you are saying, but I think you might be missing our point about things being hard to find. I'm not looking for just one item, but am looking to purchase several motor cases. I don't want to have to order six cases from seven different online vendors if I can get them from one or two. Ordering each case from a different vendor and paying all that extra shipping makes the cost of flying rockets impossible on my hobby budget.

And actually, two or three of the cases I was looking for CAN'T be found on anyone's web site. I've seen other posts on this thread talking about having the same experience.

 

[jd2cylman]

This thread is somewhat frustrating to me, not because I need something and can't get it, but because most of the people who are complaining want some specific item and think that because they can't pick that particular item up, something is wrong with the supplier. I think that this is just a sign that our hobby is healthy. All of the motor suppliers are unable to keep up with demand. We have lots of choices, when I print out my Thrustcurve Motor Guide, there are pages of motors that will work for that rocket. Don't get hung up on that one thing you can't find.
I have been collecting motor hardware for several years now, and ALWAYS find what I want if I look around for it. If you can't find it with your favorite vendor, that doesn't mean it can't be found. Sharon and I both love to fly the K456 and K540 AT motors, and have a dozen rockets that fly great with the motors that fit the 54/1706 casing. Last year I went on a mission to get more of those casings and now have six of them. The stuff is out there, just put some effort into finding it.

Wayco,
You're only one 54/1706 case ahead of me, but I'm the only flier in the house... However, one 1706 case is a Millennium case and one is a red/black special edition (forget the occasion/name...), so those might not ever see propellant again...

 

[Normzilla]

I understand what you are saying, but I think you might be missing our point about things being hard to find. I'm not looking for just one item, but am looking to purchase several motor cases. I don't want to have to order six cases from seven different online vendors if I can get them from one or two. Ordering each case from a different vendor and paying all that extra shipping makes the cost of flying rockets impossible on my hobby budget.

And actually, two or three of the cases I was looking for CAN'T be found on anyone's web site. I've seen other posts on this thread talking about having the same experience.

Just dont fly those motors.

There's plenty of great motors AT makes; I'm sure one of them can take the place of one of those you're looking for.

Move along.

 

[Wayco]

I understand what you are saying, but I think you might be missing our point about things being hard to find. I'm not looking for just one item, but am looking to purchase several motor cases. I don't want to have to order six cases from seven different online vendors if I can get them from one or two. Ordering each case from a different vendor and paying all that extra shipping makes the cost of flying rockets impossible on my hobby budget.

And actually, two or three of the cases I was looking for CAN'T be found on anyone's web site. I've seen other posts on this thread talking about having the same experience.

A quote from one of my all time favorite movies "Cool Hand Luke":
"What we have here is a failure to communicate"

Since all of what you want isn't available from a single vendor, you aren't buying what you want. You are only looking for what you want from vendors. The cost is not what the issue is here, it's availability. The last 54/1706 case I picked up was a Dr. Rockets case laying around in a warehouse, it wasn't even for sale. You're not trying hard enough.

 

[Eljay]

You're not trying hard enough.

I just see no reason as a consumer that it's my job to jump through all these hoops when I can just go with the perfectly decent competition.

 

[gldknght]

A quote from one of my all time favorite movies "Cool Hand Luke":
"What we have here is a failure to communicate"

Since all of what you want isn't available from a single vendor, you aren't buying what you want. You are only looking for what you want from vendors. The cost is not what the issue is here, it's availability. The last 54/1706 case I picked up was a Dr. Rockets case laying around in a warehouse, it wasn't even for sale. You're not trying hard enough.

No. It absolutely IS the cost, being driven by the LACK of availability.

 

[gldknght]

A quote from one of my all time favorite movies "Cool Hand Luke":
"What we have here is a failure to communicate"

Since all of what you want isn't available from a single vendor, you aren't buying what you want. You are only looking for what you want from vendors. The cost is not what the issue is here, it's availability. The last 54/1706 case I picked up was a Dr. Rockets case laying around in a warehouse, it wasn't even for sale. You're not trying hard enough.

Well, since I (and probably most here) don't have access to that warehouse with motor cases laying around in it, all we have are vendors.

 

[gldknght]

Just dont fly those motors.

There's plenty of great motors AT makes; I'm sure one of them can take the place of one of those you're looking for.

Move along.

If we don't have the case that the motor goes into, having "plenty of great motors" to choose from does no good at all. I know, that's a no-brainer, but it is at the heart of what our issue with AT is all about.

 

[gldknght]

I just see no reason as a consumer that it's my job to jump through all these hoops when I can just go with the perfectly decent competition.

Exactly. Well said. This is what I'm doing. And with that thought, I'm "moving along" .

 

[Normzilla]

If we don't have the case that the motor goes into, having "plenty of great motors" to choose from does no good at all. I know, that's a no-brainer, but it is at the heart of what our issue with AT is all about.

DMS maybe?

 

[gldknght]

DMS maybe?

Nope, no way, never. As I put in a post earlier, I'm going to use up the Aerotech reloads I have on hand and then with a few exceptions, switch over to another option for motors.

 

[Normzilla]

Nope, no way, never. As I put in a post earlier, I'm going to use up the Aerotech reloads I have on hand and then with a few exceptions, switch over to another option for motors.

So ya gunna sell your hardware??

 

[Eric]

So does a certified 29mm plugged tapped forward closure even exist? Didn't want to epoxy kevlar into 29mm MD rocket.

 

[rharshberger]

Buy an extra standard closure, cross drill the ejection charge well for a roll spring pin and hook the kevlar harness to that, JB Weld the flash hole/ bottom of charge well or just grease top of delay grain.


https://www.rocketryforum.com/index.php?threads/148086/

 

[dhbarr]

I'm still waiting on a 29mm plugged, threaded forward closure for the 29/180-240-360 series. I cannot remember offhand but I may have offered to help make CAD models, but haven't been taken up on this offer. This is a key element for 29mm minimum diameter airframes not wanting to use a hardpoint style recovery anchor.

So does a certified 29mm plugged tapped forward closure even exist? Didn't want to epoxy kevlar into 29mm MD rocket.

Or just send a smallish bolt up through the touch hole and twist a nut down into the charge well. Presto changeo, male thread protruding from unmodified front closure. For extra credit add a tiny eye nut.

 

[woferry]

Don't get hung up on that one thing you can't find.

Unfortunately it's not the one thing that's missing, when it's a case it's the many things that can't be used because that one thing can't be found. And in my case I can't just go to any vendor (even if a search would turn up someone who has it), I'm waiting for a warranty case replacement (38/720 destroyed by a CATO), and at this point I have absolutely no idea how long I'm going to be waiting for the replacement.

 

[BF Rockets]

Does he keep his inventory up to date on the web site? The way the BF sales are run with orders going unfulfilled for long periods I'm thinking not but I really have no idea.

That is a serious question by the way.

I don't know. Some reloads I was browsing are marked as "sold out", so I was assuming so.

 

[Banzai88]

Unfortunately it's not the one thing that's missing, when it's a case it's the many things that can't be used because that one thing can't be found. And in my case I can't just go to any vendor (even if a search would turn up someone who has it), I'm waiting for a warranty case replacement (38/720 destroyed by a CATO), and at this point I have absolutely no idea how long I'm going to be waiting for the replacement.

That right there. If they don't even retain enough stock, new or old, to satisfy warranty claims without waiting for the next consumer run from the 'factory'.......they have a problem.

 

[tbonerocketeer]

That right there. If they don't even retain enough stock, new or old, to satisfy warranty claims without waiting for the next consumer run from the 'factory'.......they have a problem.

I have outstanding warranty items from the other brand from 3 years ago...