Not sure they are discontinued. Then again, they do not sell any kits for them so it would not surprise me. They are out of stock is most places including Estes.
Will Hobby Lobby discontinue Rockets?
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Not sure they are discontinued. Then again, they do not sell any kits for them so it would not surprise me. They are out of stock is most places including Estes.
flyingeagle
Well-Known Member
I have maybe one or two packs E16-4 and a couple of F15-0, somewheres around three packages of each F15-6 and F15-8 all from Hobby Lobby. It was a let down when HL stopped carrying them. I think they were around $25.00 each before the 40% coupons. I was keeping up with the E12-4 and E12-6 from HL but stopped because reading that those motors have a high rate of cato like the E-9. Dose anyone one in here have problems with these motors? If I was reading false information then I will start purchasing them again from HL.
flyingeagle,
The older E12s had CATO problems. My understanding is that Estes rebuilt the machine that produced them, and the issues have more or less gone away. I have bought a bunch of new production E12s (I started buying E12s AFTER the new machine production became available), and have had zero problems with them. 22 launches so far, no issues.
The older E12s had CATO problems. My understanding is that Estes rebuilt the machine that produced them, and the issues have more or less gone away. I have bought a bunch of new production E12s (I started buying E12s AFTER the new machine production became available), and have had zero problems with them. 22 launches so far, no issues.
Bring back the E9s.
I’ve launched over 20 Estes E-12-4/6 this year and every one was perfect. My Vapor with an E-12 was an awesome flight and always got a great response. The almost 3 second burn time is my favorite part, little interest in Composites as a result.
flyingeagle
Well-Known Member
I guess it’s hit or miss with any motor. From what I was reading the E9 motors suppose to be the worst. Yea after I bought quite a few packages before the E-12 came out. Any rocket I build is my favorite and don’t want them to disintegrate with a lousy motor. I feel like contacting Estes and ask them what I suppose to do with them? If I wanted fireworks I will wait till July
When. I called them about E-9s still being sold the guy I spoke to said they are not recalled and should be fine if they were stored properly. If they were $5 a pack I'd buy some but e-12s aren't much more and you know they are fresher.
Scott_650
Well-Known Member
Launched dozens of E12s - zero problems. Had more problems with early production QJets than with the many E9s I used prior to the E12 introduction. Rockets are, unless you retire them early for display duty, ephemeral things - fly ‘em if you got ‘em!
Scott_650
Well-Known Member
HL only stocks motors that fit the kits they sell - so when they stopped carrying the PSII kits no more 29mm motors
flyingeagle
Well-Known Member
To everyone here in the rocketryforum
Merry Christmas To All & To All Have A Good Flight
Merry Christmas To All & To All Have A Good Flight
HL probably doesn’t see rocketry profitable anymore.
That is conjecture. Do you have an insider source?
Saw a Youtube interview of Bill Stiles. He was asked about E12 issues, gave an interesting response. Said it seemed that they had more problems with motors made in the winter. But after cutting open samples of problematic production runs, it seemed the black powder wasn't being compressed consistently. Solution: Put it in layers. Powder, compress. Repeat.
I think it was sometime last year that the change was implemented. But memory may be a bit fuzzy on that.
Hans,
I emailed HL for you today. I am really tired of the conjecture and would like a direct answer.
"My family has enjoyed the ability to buy rockets and other education products at your stores. I have heard you might be discontinuing rockets. Is this true?"
"My family has enjoyed the ability to buy rockets and other education products at your stores. I have heard you might be discontinuing rockets. Is this true?"
gldknght
Well-Known Member
Me too.
Hobbytown
There are not many of them that carry rockets.
FWIW, both the HobbyTown USA shops I visit with any sort of frequency have pretty extensive rocketry sections, albeit with most everything at MSRP. The nearest one does sell bulk boxes of motors for less to support school groups, which I appreciate.
Estes kits are made in China? What do they make here in Colorado?
Motors.
Motors and igniters/starters are made in Penrose. Toilet paper is treated to become wadding and packaged in Penrose.
Body tubes in Estes kits are made in the USA and sent to China to be part of the kit-packaging process. I don’t know how balsa is sourced. I presume the laser cutters are in China but are driven by files defined by Mr. Boren and his associates (or his predecssors) in Penrose. Likewise for molded parts.
@COSTransplant Sorry to break the news, (almost) everything is made in China.
I am seriously surprised. :-(
Scott_650
Well-Known Member
Not trying to be “that guy” but, unfortunately, the successor company to Euclid Tube which supplied Estes with kraft tubing for many years has a plant in China so at least some of Estes kits most likely have tubes from that facility. Also many of the RTF and E2X pre-finished tubes are sourced from local vendors in China. Again, it really doesn’t matter to most folks in the hobby, the decision to offshore Estes kits was made several regimes and many years ago - non-essential hobby items are very price sensitive so cost of materials makes a difference in what are reported to be very low margin sales for Estes, and if buying kits made in China is a bridge too far you could easily go your entire career as a rocketeer building exclusively USA sourced kits. As long as you buy from vendors other than Estes.
For me it’s a non-issue, by every reasonable measure - value, cubic, mass, utilization - the made in China content of my Estes rockets is a drop in the bucket compared to the rest of the consumer items in our home. Is the money we saved worth the potential social costs from offshore manufacturing? Beats me, ask a couple dozen economists who are likely to give you a couple dozen different answers…
Our country and hobby are dependent on China.
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HL carried AeroTech products prior to 2002.
Have you considered reintroducing them at HL?
Any response Chuck ?
Sorry for the lack of response. I got a little busy getting ready for our launch this weekend and forgot to post it.
Hobby Lobby did respond.
Translation. She does not have any information that they plan to discontinue rockets. Each store orders and determines their stock. There is some uniformity but it is not 100%. You can ask an associate to order anything list on their website.
I also have a conversation with 3 store managers, 1 regional manager, and a lower level executive to try to confirm their plans. None had any knowledge that they could share about discontinuation. The HL website is a good indicator of what they can order. As far as motors, they only stock motors for the kits they currently sell so unless they stock another Pro kit, I would not expect to see 29mm motors on the shelf.
I hope this helps.
Hobby Lobby did respond.
Thank you for shopping at Hobby Lobby.
Unfortunately, I do not have information indicating that Hobby Lobby plans to discontinue the sale of rockets.
You are welcome to contact your local store with your inquiry. You will find a list of store locations on our website at www.hobbylobby.com after selecting “Store Finder”. A store associate will also be happy to check the in-store availability of any items that we carry.
Also, the stores are able to order any items that are kept "in stock" in our warehouse and an associate can assist you with placing a special order for available items.
We hope that all your visits are pleasant and productive.
Thank you for visiting our website.
Sincerely,
Name withheld
Operator Customer Service
P: Phone number withheld
F: Fax number withheld
E: Email address withheld
7707 SW 44th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73179
Translation. She does not have any information that they plan to discontinue rockets. Each store orders and determines their stock. There is some uniformity but it is not 100%. You can ask an associate to order anything list on their website.
I also have a conversation with 3 store managers, 1 regional manager, and a lower level executive to try to confirm their plans. None had any knowledge that they could share about discontinuation. The HL website is a good indicator of what they can order. As far as motors, they only stock motors for the kits they currently sell so unless they stock another Pro kit, I would not expect to see 29mm motors on the shelf.
I hope this helps.
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