Mini/micro rail buttons

crossfire · Feb 4, 2020

I have been looking into building some smaller rockets and wondering if flyers who have used them can give some feed back as how they worked out for them and if they think its worth using the smaller buttons over using a rod.

Thanks

ThreeJsDad · Feb 4, 2020

I just ordered a bunch and today I am building a launch pad that will use the micro buttons. I am getting back into building and flying after being away for a while and to me those little buttons are awesome. I plan to focus primarily on high performance composite MPRs so the whole micro rail system seems like a perfect fit.

solid_fuel · Feb 4, 2020

I have a few that have mini buttons for a 20mm, I think, rail. I like the way the buttons look better that a lug. makes for a cleaner over all build. a little more work I think with backing the buttons inside the airframe but I like it. also at one of my clubs I cant fly F or larger motors off a rod so there is that

crossfire · Feb 4, 2020

ThreeJsDad said:
I just ordered a bunch and today I am building a launch pad that will use the micro buttons. I am getting back into building and flying after being away for a while and to me those little buttons are awesome. I plan to focus primarily on high performance composite MPRs so the whole micro rail system seems like a perfect fit.

Where did you guys get your rails? Plus what did you use for attaching rail to a pad? Will the mini work in a 1010 rail?

Jozef · Feb 4, 2020

I have a number of low/mid power rockets all equipped with mini (not micro) rail buttons. The rockets are based on Estes BT60, BT80, LOC 38mm, Madcow 38mm and Aerotech 1.9" airframes. I purchased a 5 foot 20mm rail a couple of years ago and take it to launches as most clubs do not accommodate. I abandoned launch lugs after a rail whip launch on my Arreaux. Never looked back.

DuctTapeandRocketFuel · Feb 4, 2020

What size screw would be used for the mini and micro buttons?

Grandpa$ · Feb 4, 2020

crossfire said:
Where did you guys get your rails? Plus what did you use for attaching rail to a pad? Will the mini work in a 1010 rail?

Check out https://rail-buttons.com/minimicro.html
They have a source for rails.

Jozef · Feb 4, 2020

crossfire said:
Where did you guys get your rails? Plus what did you use for attaching rail to a pad? Will the mini work in a 1010 rail?[/QUOTE

Got my 20mm rail from Amazon. Minis will not work on a 1010 rail. I added a backing block to the rail that clamps into a Rockwell jaw stand. I will post a photo of the rail later today. Gotta run!

solid_fuel · Feb 4, 2020

crossfire said:
Where did you guys get your rails? Plus what did you use for attaching rail to a pad? Will the mini work in a 1010 rail?

I got my 4’ rail and buttons from railbuttons.com. I don’t know if they carry the rail anymore it been out of stock last time I looked. I just clamp the rail into a bicycle work stand I got off eBay for like $35 shipped and use a dryer vent as blast deflector.

I also just leave both in my car trunk so they’re always with me at launches. I have beaten the dryer vent up a bit in the year and a half or so and probably should replace it with a more robust stove chimney elbow.

solid_fuel · Feb 4, 2020

I also Use the bike stand as a holder for my rockets when painting them.

SDramstad · Feb 4, 2020

I have had very good luck with the minis and micros. No problems yet.

tOD · Feb 5, 2020

I've used the mini's on a couple of rocket that will fly on F-G motors. I like them. I donated a 6' 20mm 80/20 rail to my club and bought another for myself to take to launches in case the host club doesn't own one.
I got my rail from McMaster- Carr.

cwbullet · Feb 5, 2020

solid_fuel said:
I got my 4’ rail and buttons from railbuttons.com. I don’t know if they carry the rail anymore it been out of stock last time I looked. I just clamp the rail into a bicycle work stand I got off eBay for like $35 shipped and use a dryer vent as blast deflector. View attachment 405534 I also just leave both in my car trunk so they’re always with me at launches. I have beaten the dryer vent up a bit in the year and a half or so and probably should replace it with a more robust stove chimney elbow.

What kind of tripod is that?

jd2cylman · Feb 5, 2020

Gary,
We have a mini rail at QCRS.

T-Rex · Feb 5, 2020

I purchased my rails off e(vil)bay about 2 years ago. They are available in various lengths. Will be using mine in a bicycle stand similar to the one @solid-fuel shows above (once I get some other things figured out and get around to it)

NikeMikey · Feb 5, 2020

I ordered a 4 meter 1515 mini rail from Grainger. Cost 30-something, no shipping. Cut into a 5 ft length and an 8 ft length. Plan to donate to club. Don't know about mounting yet.

crossfire · Feb 5, 2020

jd2cylman said:
Gary,
We have a mini rail at QCRS.

That's cool. May need to use one.
Thanks

solid_fuel · Feb 5, 2020

cwbullet said:
What kind of tripod is that?

it is the same bike stand as my other pic in this thread, similar to this one https://www.ebay.com/itm/Metal-Port...048096?hash=item2ca58d16e0:g:WCsAAOSw1dJbXqfH

ThreeJsDad · Feb 6, 2020

I got my micro rail buttons in the mail today and I am not sure I trust them for E and F motors. I guess I need to build another launch pad for a mini rail. The Micros will be nice on smaller stuff though.

PS, I got out the full sized 1010 rail buttons I ordered and when I think about how big of rockets we fly on those I think the Micros should be good up through an F motor.

3stoogesrocketry · Feb 6, 2020

Amazon carries a large selection of 80/20 products , and with prime shipping is free .

BABAR · Feb 6, 2020

Absolutely love the mini and micros with the rails. Rail Provides much more stability, particularly if there is any wind. Particularly good at club launches where the time between setting the rocket on the pad and the time you push the button may be prolonged, buttons tend to keep the rocket from “prancing” around the rod in the wind. This motion can loosen your ignition clips or otherwise mess up your flight prep.

With a dowel and a bit of finesse, you can retrofit rockets with existing lugs to use micro buttons. You can make them removable so you can fly the rocket with either lugs or buttons as needed, depending on the available equipment at the launch site.

cwbullet · Feb 6, 2020

Maybe Jack can design 3d print files.

Mini/micro rail buttons

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