ArthurAstroCam
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- Joined
- Jan 2, 2022
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Thinking about trying some Tire Talc. What, if anything, do you use on your chutes for a powder when it is cold out during a launch?
I have a Top Flight that I got for my AstroCam, that is too large. I may try their smallest, which I believe is a 12. The stock chute is a 15, and that's what I got for a top Flight, which turned out much too bulky.I tried it, and had zero luck with it. I switched to thin-mil parachutes (Top Flight) and haven't had any issues since. But I don't fly in December-February either.
Make sure to get thin-mil for stuffing into small BTs.I have a Top Flight that I got for my AstroCam, that is too large. I may try their smallest, which I believe is a 12. The stock chute is a 15, and that's what I got for a top Flight, which turned out much too bulky.
This is great to know. So they offer different thicknesses, in addition to different sizes?Make sure to get thin-mil for stuffing into small BTs.
Below freezing, 32 degrees Fahrenheit here.define "cold".. 30-40°F? 20-30°F? 0°F?!
The typical plastic chutes on mine rarely get any powder. but I do 'fluff' them out prior to packing & launching. I have also invert-folded them (fold it back onto itself) to ensure they do at least make a circle when deployed. I've found the cold tends to freeze the plastic into the ball; the plastic becomes very stiff, so no amount of powder helps..
But then again, I fly in Canadian winters; below freezing temps.. -5 to -15°C is not uncommon..
(I remember one year, a friend's school bag cracked. it was the trendy Adidas vinyl bag from the early 80's.. left it in line at the bus stop one morning.. cold enough to freeze vinyl to the point of it shattering!)
I have a big old can of J&J baby powder….old style. Works on plastic chutes very well.Thinking about trying some Tire Talc. What, if anything, do you use on your chutes for a powder when it is cold out during a launch?
That sounds like it might have been cornstarch powder, not real talc.Hmmm... I don't think I would ever use talc. That stuff accumulates and becomes sticky/gummy. But I do see a purpose for "powdering".
Guess I found a use for the leftover gallon jugs of PTFE and Hex Boron Nitride (HBN) powders I acquired for other purposes. Both make excellent dry lubes.
Someone here mentioned Tire Talc as a pure talcum option.That sounds like it might have been cornstarch powder, not real talc.
That sounds like it might have been cornstarch powder, not real talc.
That sounds like it might have been cornstarch powder, not real talc.
Today virtually all "baby powder" is scented cornstarch, but I don't know when it was introduced.Maybe? If J&J was putting starch in their baby powder 20 years ago.
Just know that I have used PTFE and HBN successfully in a number of dry lube applications from bullets to bicycle chains, et al.
It is my goal NOT to need it on my rockets...
Today virtually all "baby powder" is scented cornstarch, but I don't know when it was introduced.
Have you seen an issue with colored chalk?On a second note, I would NOT use colored line chalk. Yeah, it's slippery, but....just don't. I try to learn from other's experiences.
it's meant to mark, to be somewhat permanent; a permanent indicator. I'm thinking the powdered chalk from chalk lines. that stuff stays! (How many of us have a spot in the garage or workshop where the jar spilt, back in 1984! still there!!)Have you seen an issue with colored chalk?
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