Rocket Shops Pittsburgh and Ohio region

[nosaj13]

I am heading to Pittsburgh for my spring break and was wondering if there were any dedicated rocket hobby shops in the surrounding area. I will be traveling on two routes through Ohio; South of 80 going, and I70 back. If there are any rocket shops along these routes I would appreciate the information. In my own research I noticed that LOC Precision is close to the route that I am taking. Does LOC have a showroom in their Barberton plant? Thanks for the help.

 

[TheAviator]

There are no dedicated rocket shops that I know of. I live about 15 miles north of the city, and shop at Hobby Express, which is just north of the I-79/I-76 interchange. They have a large selection of kits, mostly Estes and Quest, but also quite a bit of FlisKits, Sunward, Starlight, LOC, Aerotech, and a few others that I know I'm forgetting. They have a modest selection of parts from Estes, BMS, and LOC. Motor selection is limited to model rockets: Quest, Estes, and Aerotech. I know the owner tried to become an HPR dealer but didn't hear back from AT or CTI.

As far as hobby shops go, it is the best in the area that I know of. Selection is second to none as far as most hobbies go; they have R/C airplanes, R/C cars, rockets, die cast cars, model railroading supplies, and a lot of odds and ends.

See here for a map.

 

[nosaj13]

Great shop. They had the most reloads I've seen. They also had an old rms 29/60. Thanks for the help.

 

[TheAviator]

No problem. Though I have to admit I do work there during the summer, although I was a fixture in the store long before I started. I am the resident rocket expert, which is fun.

 

[fox_racing_guy]

In my own research I noticed that LOC Precision is close to the route that I am taking. Does LOC have a showroom in their Barberton plant? Thanks for the help.

I work for LOC/Precision making all the SkyAngle products among other things. We don't have a "showroom" per-say but let me know when your passing through and you can stop by no problem. I just want to make sure somebody will be there, this week I happen to be working from home so I won't be at the office. I arrive at around 4:30 AM and leave at 1:30 PM but Barry in usually there till around 5 PM.
We are about 1/2 mile off I76/ US224.

 

[nosaj13]

I stopped in yesterday and I got a "factory" tour. It was quite interesting. I was able to buy one of the sets I was interested in as well. I will be making it a regular stop on my way through Ohio. Thanks for the offer.

 

[Larry Curcio]

There are no dedicated rocket shops that I know of. I live about 15 miles north of the city, and shop at Hobby Express, which is just north of the I-79/I-76 interchange. They have a large selection of kits, mostly Estes and Quest, but also quite a bit of FlisKits, Sunward, Starlight, LOC, Aerotech, and a few others that I know I'm forgetting. They have a modest selection of parts from Estes, BMS, and LOC. Motor selection is limited to model rockets: Quest, Estes, and Aerotech. I know the owner tried to become an HPR dealer but didn't hear back from AT or CTI.

As far as hobby shops go, it is the best in the area that I know of. Selection is second to none as far as most hobbies go; they have R/C airplanes, R/C cars, rockets, die cast cars, model railroading supplies, and a lot of odds and ends.

See here for a map.

Yes Yes. Hobby Express is the place to go.

-Larry (Hi, Brian) C.

 

[bguffer]

Not sure where your stop in Ohio is, but if you are going near Columbus,
https://www.slatershardware.com/ out of Lancaster, may have something. I have heard amongst normal hardware, they offer: strongman, home brew, and rocket products. Call in advance, as i have no idea what amounts they would have in stock.

Bob

 

[nosaj13]

Im not sure i will be able to make it to the shop but thanks for the sugestion. I will try to fit it in but im not sure i will get a chance. I spent most of my alloted "rocket money" at LOC and Hobby Express so it would be more of an looking trip. Thanks

 

[nosaj13]

Its a rainy day in PA today (late afternoon) so i desided to go explore some more hobby shops. We desided to stop over at Bill and Walt's and check out their rocket supply. They have small area dedicated to rockets. This includes the normal estes (new 2010) as well as older. But the majority of the rockets are older. I saw multiple sets form pre 2000 and they had prices from the day they came in the shop. The store also had an assortment of nose cones, igniters, cuplers, retaining rings, etc. They all seemed to have been from pre 1980. In the corner there were three LOC rockets; two minie magg's and one Forte. The tag on all the rockets was from 2001 with that price on them. In the store the maggs were listed 88 and the forte was 51. I desided to get the forte after i talked down the price to 45 (Worker only authorised to go 10% but he did tell me the owner could give a better price.(Key word "could")) I just wanted to tell any one if they were looking for some older kits they could be in this store.

https://www.billandwalt.com/store/Scripts/