Cesaroni 54mm casing question

I used a new 54mm casing for the first time this last weekend. After the attempted launch (wasn't aware of the rear casing closure piece so the engine came out the bottom of the rocket upon ignition and burned up under the rocket) I wasn't able to get the casing back out of the rocket. I waited an hour thinking it need to cool off and still couldn't get it out. I ended up having to use the launch rail and a mallet to pound it out. The casing didn't appear to be damaged but now it will not go back in any of my rockets that take a 54mm casing. Has anyone else had an issue like this or is it common?

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A more professional answer would be appreciated......I had the understanding this was a forum to get help and ask questions, not for people to put smartass comments on.

walden0311 said:

A more professional answer would be appreciated......I had the understanding this was a forum to get help and ask questions, not for people to put smartass comments on.

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My case usually takes something to pop it out so that to me is the norm. Every time I fly my Pro 29 I need to use force to get it out... Is this the first 54MM motor you've used? What motor was it?

It's the first 54mm and yes it's the only time it's been used. All my pro 38 flights I've had no issues with post flight getting them out of the rocket. I used a J381 motor in the 54mm

walden0311 said:

A more professional answer would be appreciated......I had the understanding this was a forum to get help and ask questions, not for people to put smartass comments on.

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Trust me there are a lot of those around here. I ignore them and respond to those that are helping me out.


Alexander Solis

Level 1 - Mariah 54 - CTI-I100 Red Lightning Longburn - 6,345 Feet

walden0311 said:

It's the first 54mm and yes it's the only time it's been used. All my pro 38 flights I've had no issues with post flight getting them out of the rocket. I used a J381 motor in the 54mm

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Does the case look warped or anything to you? Maybe it expanded? Maybe it was defective? If you have already tried this I'll go do some poking around with some members of my club to see if they know what could've happened.


PS I never require a mallet just some pliers to grab it sometimes as I don't put any lubricant on it even though I probably should...

walden0311 said:

A more professional answer would be appreciated......I had the understanding this was a forum to get help and ask questions, not for people to put smartass comments on.

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Look, there's smartass, and there's common sense! How could you NOT see the threads on the rear end of the case?? I mean seriously?? I am sorry for your loss, but if you have achieved the level of using 54mm motors and you DID NOT know this, I'm sorry, no excuses.

I'm thinking it expanded cause it slid right in all the rockets before I used it. I used some wd40 to help get it out but it took a lot of work. When it ignited, all the propellant came out of the bottom but the delay charge was stuck inside. That took a lot to get it out as well. It's just never anything I've run into before with any of my Pro 38 casings

walden0311 said:

I'm thinking it expanded cause it slid right in all the rockets before I used it. I used some wd40 to help get it out but it took a lot of work. When it ignited, all the propellant came out of the bottom but the delay charge was stuck inside. That took a lot to get it out as well. It's just never anything I've run into before with any of my Pro 38 casings

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It's shot. If it's been enlarged such that it doesn't fit into rockets it once fit into, dump it in the recycling bin and get a new one.

Ok that's what I was thinking.....better the casing than the rocket though. Thank you to those of you who actually had an intelligent and helpful comment.

Guys, I would recommend that we be more supportive and less insulting. If you are perfect and devoid of mistakes, please step forward.

I know at least on of you has made a few.

Do you have a reload you can put into the case or measure with calipers?

If the OD of the reload is a lot smaller then the ID of the case that could be another sign letting you know the case was enlarged.

walden0311 said:

It's the first 54mm and yes it's the only time it's been used. All my pro 38 flights I've had no issues with post flight getting them out of the rocket. I used a J381 motor in the 54mm

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It may just be a typo, but the J381 is a 6 grain 38mm reload....

J380 SS.....sorry

I do have another reload I can put in it. I'll give that a shot too. I just got my cleaning brush in today so I want to clean the inside of the casing before I try that.

walden0311 said:

I do have another reload I can put in it. I'll give that a shot too. I just got my cleaning brush in today so I want to clean the inside of the casing before I try that.

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Don't bother; you'll risk damaging the o-rings on the 54mm reload by inserting and then removing it just for a test in a case that's probably shot.

Maybe try rolling the casing on a very level surface? If it rolls smoothly and sits perfectly flat then I would think the casing is probably ok and hasn't deformed too much. I had a kind of similar accident were a CTI 38mm casing's rear closure threads let go, sending the propellant grains out the bottom and shoving the casing up the rocket... It looked undamaged and since I have successfully flown many reloads in it.

I would like to know what vendor sold you the case and didn't ask you if you needed a rear closure.

Also, what level are you certified at? Thanks.

Bat-mite said:

I would like to know what vendor sold you the case and didn't ask you if you needed a rear closure..

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No need to try to blame the vendor, many peoples purchase cases without rear closure.

walden0311 said:

I used a new 54mm casing for the first time this last weekend. After the attempted launch (wasn't aware of the rear casing closure piece so the engine came out the bottom of the rocket upon ignition and burned up under the rocket)...

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I understand mistakes... I make them all the time. But your story has me concerned.

Did you forget to install the rear closure... or you weren't aware you needed one?

Did you [attempt to] launch this rocket on your own... :y: or did the club RSO also miss the missing rear closure?

Did the reload fall out of the motor... or was it ejected under pressure? (likely the cause of the expanded/ruined case)

How did the reload get past the motor retention... or did you forget that too?

Sorry - not trying to be a pain, or give you the third degree. It will be easier to help you if you give more details. And believe me, we all want to help. That was a $100+ mistake and no one likes to see that happen to a fellow rocketeer. :handshake:

walden0311 said:

A more professional answer would be appreciated......I had the understanding this was a forum to get help and ask questions, not for people to put smartass comments on.

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My intention was not to be insulting nor a "smartass" - merely a bit light hearted. I forget sometimes that just text on the internet can be read differently than intended. I meant no offense, but will apologize and pull the post.

That said, mayhaps you should lighten up a bit before you start bitching and calling people "douchebags", hmmm?

I'm sure Jeroen will give you the answer you need (as I said in my post).

s6

walden0311 said:

So I'm starting to notice.....the douchebags sure come out quick on here. Glad to see there are people offering their helpful advice though. Have a good one

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Professional is a two way street.

Nothing more than a mistake on my part. I had never used a 54mm casing as I stated before and wasn't aware there was a rear closure for it. The motor was ejected under pressure after ignition. The motor retention wasn't a probelm and the casing stayed in the rocket....I simply did not know about the rear closure piece. I looked online when I got home that night and discovered my mistake and now have one. Tomorrow I will be ordering another casing because this one is warped and not longer any good.

All I wanted to know was if this was a common thing with the motor casings (getting stuck in the rocket after use) or if this was because of my mistake. Simple question and looking for a simple answer.

He was flying at a personal launch. Yes, he did have a waiver, but not an RSO, as it was just a bunch of friends flying rockets.I'm thinking if the rear closure will thread on ok, the case is probably good too.

Thank you.....the rear closure will thread fine but the casing is warped. I've ordered another one already so no worries.

Green Jello said:

Are you, by any chance, my little sister? Her last name is Walden, her birthday is 3-11 and she lives in Dallas.

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I'm curious of this. Crazy coincidence either way.

No that's not me....I'm a guy and the 0311 in my name was my job in the Marines....infantry

Walden0311,

Sorry to hear about your Cato. I happen to have a Pro 54 case that does not fit in my blue tube rocket. Other cases do fit. The CTI case is slightly larger than the other cases by about .05 inches which does not seem like much but it is enough to cause problems. By the way may I suggest that you use a plastic pipe or wooden dowel to remove motors from rockets and reloads from casings.

Clear Skies!