Where To Get A Rail?

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TopRamen

TopRamen

SA-5
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I'm new to the Concept of using a Rail and Rail Buttons, but would like to use them for my next G-Force Rocket. For my old G-Force, I used the included Rod Launch Lugs, then made my own Rod and Platform to launch from. There was a lot of Flex, so naturally, for my next one I will be building a Rail Launcher and installing Rail Buttons.
My Question is, where do I buy a Rail Section? I've been to a bunch of the Vendors Sites just now, and while they almost all sell Rail Buttons, I see no Rails. I just need the Rail, not a whole Pad, as I like to build that part myself.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
TopRamen said:
I'm new to the Concept of using a Rail and Rail Buttons, but would like to use them for my next G-Force Rocket. For my old G-Force, I used the included Rod Launch Lugs, then made my own Rod and Platform to launch from. There was a lot of Flex, so naturally, for my next one I will be building a Rail Launcher and installing Rail Buttons.
My Question is, where do I buy a Rail Section? I've been to a bunch of the Vendors Sites just now, and while they almost all sell Rail Buttons, I see no Rails. I just need the Rail, not a whole Pad, as I like to build that part myself.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Giant Leap sells rails, but you can also search 80/20 on Amazon.

1010 is the cross-section most places use.

https://www.8020.net/T-Slot-4.asp
 
Scott231 said:
What are the typical lengths for say MPR vs. L1 rockets?
Click to expand...

Both the clubs I fly with use 8ft rails for up to Level 1 flights. There are a couple of 6ft rails floating around, that they use sometimes on MPR flights.
 
Thanks Guys! I'm going to look around and see if I can source a section locally then. Atleast now I know what I'm looking for.
I'll only be doing MPR, so I think a 6' Section will be fine.
 
I ordered my 6' rail when I bought my Fade To Black standard pad. I use both to fly my MPR rockets that are too big for the 1/4".

I'm not sure how the price compares, but it was easy to order both at the same time. I definitely recommend the F2B pad.
 
r12ski said:
I ordered my 6' rail when I bought my Fade To Black standard pad. I use both to fly my MPR rockets that are too big for the 1/4".

I'm not sure how the price compares, but it was easy to order both at the same time. I definitely recommend the F2B pad.
Click to expand...

They have the 6' Rail for $36, and with S&H it is only $48, but it looks like they only accept Paypal, and I don't have Paypal.:(
Thanks though. Maybe it's time I learned what Paypal is.
 
80/20 has a Distributor Lookup link. Found a dealer 10 minutes from the house. Sometimes living near a big city has its advantages. :D

BTW, with Paypal you can use your credit card and not worry about carrying a paypal balance. It has gotten much easier since they instituted that method a few years ago.
 
Scott231 said:
80/20 has a Distributor Lookup link. Found a dealer 10 minutes from the house. Sometimes living near a big city has its advantages. :D

BTW, with Paypal you can use your credit card and not worry about carrying a paypal balance. It has gotten much easier since they instituted that method a few years ago.
Click to expand...

I'll go check that out. Thanks.
 
Wow, that's the cheapest with shipping that I've seen! Sears. Who woulda thought.
 
TopRamen said:
I have a Sears Card! It's on its way to me now. THANK YOU!!!! You Rock sl98!!!!
6' Section, total Cost: $27.40. It will be delivered by Sept. 9th. AWESOME!!!!
Click to expand...

Now you're going to have to build lots of MPR's to fly with your new rail!
 
When it gets nasty, clean it up with some 40WD and a scotch brite pad....
 
Until you get into the truely big rockets a 6 foot rail is plenty long enough for high power rockets. The biggest factor for longer rods is thrust to weight and the speed coming off the end of the rail. I made my first rail from 1" x 1" angle iron 10' long cut in half and joined together with all-thread so to leave a slot for the rail shoe. Black Sky was the first to use the extrusion and I was useing my rail before his came out. In fact he was out on the playa at a Las Vegas Turkey Shoot and spent some time looking over my crude rail launcher :) For rail guides I used "I" beam Plastistruct from the hobby center, worked pretty good.
 
I have a few big LP rockets where I’d like to have one of those old Estes “C” rails.
Much sturdier than a 3/16” rod without having to go up to a ¼” rod or a huge heavy T-Rail.

What was neat about the Estes “C” Rail was the use of a launch lug with a standoff as the guide. Made it possible to use either rod or rail without needing two separate guides on your rocket.

Is anything similar out there today?
 
Well, I got my Rail and look, it's Bent. I called Sears, and they issued me a Refund, but now I still need a Rail.
Sure, you folks have been helpful by posting Sources, but what I need to know now, is who packages the Rail they sell in a proper fashion. This Rail came wrapped in Paper, with Cling Wrap around it. It's like they wanted it to get bent. Heck, UPS could probably find a way to bugger up a 1' Section of Rail, let along a 6ft. with no substantial Protection.
Has anyone here ordered a 6' Section of Rail and had it come nicely packaged in a Box or Tube? If so, that is the Vendor I would like to do busines with. I'm angry at the Stupidity of whoever packaged this thing, but I won't actually be needing it for atleast another month and a half.

 
What use is a bent rail?
Got any rockets that consistently weathercock?

Amazing isn’t it that something that is specifically intended to be straight arrives looking like a dogs hind leg.
 
boomtube said:
What use is a bent rail?
Got any rockets that consistently weathercock?

Amazing isn’t it that something that is specifically intended to be straight arrives looking like a dogs hind leg.
Click to expand...

Exactly. I called Sears, and rather than have me send it back, they refunded my Money, and told me to keep it. I then got a call from the Vendor, who said that this was the first Time that this had happened. I told him about how poorly it was packaged for shipping. Anyhow, I now had a free worthless Rail, so I reefed on it this way and that until I got 57" of useable Rail, then chopped off the remainder. For small MPR it ought to work fine. I still want to get a 6', but this might work for now.
 
McMaster-Carr is selling 6' sections for ~$20 and 10' sections for ~$32. Just search "aluminum extrusion."
 
TheAviator said:
McMaster-Carr is selling 6' sections for ~$20 and 10' sections for ~$32. Just search "aluminum extrusion."
Click to expand...

Be careful ordering from McMaster-Carr. They don't tell you the shipping cost up front, and it can be quite steep.
 
Personally I like the 80-20 inc. #1004 1" x1" solid, slot on opposite sides of the rail. This Profile is a bit stronger then the standard 4 way slotted rail.
Available all over the net. I purchased mine along with other stuff from McMaster-Carr Cat #47065T118 in 6ft length for my MPR use also available in 8 foot. Very nice stuff produced in 6105-T6 aluminum pretty easy to maintain.
 

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