24mm is a very versatile size motor mount!

[Off Grid Gecko]

Everyone but me prolly knows this already, but for those who don't...
I was looking for an adapter to squish an 18mm motor in my new WIP for flying around the house (lots of trees close by) and did a quick browse of the 24mm selections on the Apogee website. I'm impressed.
I almost wish I hadn't dropped the thrust ring in my MiniMeanie (chopped down Mean Machine). I found a C motor that will work well for around the house, but also discovered that the 24mm mount can carry to pretty toasty Gs. I knew F and G were options on composites but didn't realize how many motors are out there for this size, some requiring an L1 cert.
I was looking up the mount adapters to help decide if it was worth the money versus taking five minutes to roll a tube and make it fit. Will probably just be getting some C11s instead and happy with those, they'll stay around 300ft which works for me.
Turns out I won't be so lucky with the next build I have planned which is nearly identical but fitted with a 29mm mount and some tube stiffening. Maybe I'll get an adaptor for that one, lol.

 

[afadeev]

did a quick browse of the 24mm selections on the Apogee website. I'm impressed.

There are indeed a lot of fun 24mm motors out there.
I've probably burned almost as many AT F39s as Estes C6's over the years!

PSA - Apogee is, probably, the MOST expensive place you can find from which to buy motors!

I almost wish I hadn't dropped the thrust ring in my MiniMeanie (chopped down Mean Machine).

Never EVER use the thrust rings (same as elastic shock cords) - you can always tape thrust rings to the back of the motors, secure them with a motor mount, and fly any size or length motors (single use or re-loadables) as you like.
Luckily, thrust rings are not too hard to remove. Just peal them from inside out, removing paper layers one at a time. A bit of sanding with a round file, and they should be gone in no time!

but also discovered that the 24mm mount can carry to pretty toasty Gs. I knew F and G were options on composites but didn't realize how many motors are out there for this size, some requiring an L1 cert.

True, but not that simple.
Download .rkt file for you rocket, and simulate flights on desired motors first.
You will quickly find out that larger/heavier motors will move the CG way aft, sometimes past the CP, causing instability.
Unless you add more weight to the nose cone, increase the length of the airframe, or fly with bigger fins.

 

[Off Grid Gecko]

Thanks for the response. I have an itch and will have some neat 24's on my next motor order.

PSA - Apogee is, probably, the MOST expensive place you can find from which to buy motors!

I don't know about most expensive, but yes I've found cheaper alternatives and never buy motors from Apogee. Not on any moral ground but I have a distributer who ships to my workplace and I find him reasonable and very easy to work with, so I get my motors local mostly, but online orders go through offwegorocketry. They might not be the cheapest either, but I got my L1 motor there and it was a very good experience, so I'll stick with him for motors.

You will quickly find out that larger/heavier motors will move the CG way aft, sometimes past the CP, causing instability.

Preaching to the quire, but good point that this thread probably needs so best to get it out of the way. Most of my builds are scratch and I use design software and sims a lot when spec-ing things out, and also check my CG with a mounted motor before I fly. The smaller rockets all get swing tests with the motor installed before it goes on the launchpad, especially if it's a new build or I'm doing something drastically different.

 

[Off Grid Gecko]

Forgot to mention the reason I was looking on the Apogee website. I just find their navigation super easy for seeing what's out there. Starting to use openrocket's list a lot also.

 

[Theory]

no doubt, 24mms are awesome. quick and punchy C11s, the venerable D12, low thrust AT D9, all the way up to the aforementioned CTI G150.

i have become a huge fan of the AT 24/60 motors, specifically the F63. very solid performance and no HazMat charges. also have a few F30 FJs in the range box. expensive but a fun motor.

have fun!

 

[Theory]

F63 in my Arreaux:


E18 in my custom ‘Nike’. Really like this one as it reminds me of the old E15s from the mid 90’s. Lots of noise in a small package

 

[Off Grid Gecko]

Awesome shots of your rockets! I'm hoping to get out to a flying field this month. Been waiting far too long to attend a launch. I won't have much with me, just a teeny rocket and my L1. My current construction may be ready by then. It's prepped for (hopefully) the final primer applications, but I ran out of primer so I'll need to get some this weekend. Then paint. I'm not to worried about stickers at the moment so I probably won't gloss it...yet

 

[mbeels]

E18 in my custom ‘Nike’. Really like this one as it reminds me of the old E15s from the mid 90’s. Lots of noise in a small package

That's probably my favorite reload for my favorite case (24/40). I've flown more of that motor than any other, I believe.

 

[Theory]

Thanks!

Both of those shots are from last year. I’ve only flown once in 2020 and that was some low power at a local school

 

[Flyfalcons]

24 is a fun size!

 

[mbeels]

24 is a fun size!

And the fun per $$ is fantastic.

 

[Theory]

And the fun per $$ is fantastic.

quoted for truth!

just pulled the trigger on an ASP Super Loki Dart and Estes Mercury Redstone. Both will be 24mm

 

[Off Grid Gecko]

I'm trying to talk myself into buying less small rockets, but I can see another 24 being added to my collection before that happens. Need to save up some $$$ for my L2 project. Even if my current L1 build goes for a walk in the woods, the next "big" rocket should launch on an I motor without trouble for another try. Might celebrate each little victory on my goal list with a small rocket to assemble.
Being able to fly a small field coupled with the capacity to go high at a group launch makes for a rocket that will be flown often.

 

[lakeroadster]

Preaching to the quire,

I would have used the word "Choir"....​

​

But interestingly enough "quire" is kind of a ref. to "24" did you know that?​

​

Quire: a collection of 24 or sometimes 25 sheets of paper of the same size and quality : one twentieth of a ream.​

Back on topic... you can also build the rocket with a mount for 24 mm, then slide in an adapter and fly 18 mm. Makes for a versatile platform.

 

[JohnCoker]

Forgot to mention the reason I was looking on the Apogee website. I just find their navigation super easy for seeing what's out there. Starting to use openrocket's list a lot also.

You may like ThrustCurve.org as well; it attempts to list all available motors. For example: 24mm motors

 

[Off Grid Gecko]

You may like ThrustCurve.org as well; it attempts to list all available motors. For example: 24mm motors

That's a good point. I plan on using some of the files available there for my sim, assuming I ever find some time to work on it. Really appreciate you taking the time to post all of the motor data as well. (Hope I have the right person or this will be a weird compliment)

 

[JohnCoker]

Hope I have the right person or this will be a weird compliment

It's not just me; the data is contributed by many people.