Parts Source?

[Dogsbd]

As you may notice, I'm new here

I've been building rockets on and off now for over 25 years, but I'm preparing to build my first Video Camera (X10) carrying rocket. Where are some good web sites for buying tubes, spacers, bulkheads, tube joiners etc.? Places with the widest assortments, best prices.

Thanks.

 

[KenParker]

There are quite a few good parts vendors out there. A few of my favorites:

Magnum Rockets
https://www.magnumrockets.com/
Ross Dunton is the owner. Super-great guy.

Performance Hobbies
https://www.performancehobbies.com/
Ken Allen is the owner. Another super-great guy.

A2Z Hobbies
https://www.a2zhobbies.com/
I don't personally know the owner, but it's a good store/site.

Countdown Hobbies
https://countdownhobbies.com/oop-list.htm#Top
Kevin Nolan is the owner. I've never met him, but everyone that has says that he really knows his stuff. Marc Lee, who is a member of TRF, has met him and says that if you ever get a chance to visit his store and meet Kevin that it is well worth your time.

Hobbylinc.com
https://www.hobbylinc.com/
Has a large inventory and great prices.

There are many others. I imagine that other people will chime in here with their own favorites, but this list should get you started.

Welcome to the forum. I'm with you on the 2nd amendment. Been a target shooter all my life, and a reloader for about 12 years now. (Too lazy to hunt...) I notice that you are in South Carolina. If you ever shoot IPSC or High Power Rifle matches, I'd be willing to bet that we know some of the same people, as I lived in Columbia from 1990-1994.

- Ken

 

[rstaff3]

Here's a few of my favorites (in addition to some of the ones Ken listed):

Giant Leap
https://www.giantleaprocketry.com/
They carry a lot of great HPR materials, and have some innovative products. I've purchased from them for years and have always been happy. Excellent service and advice.

Apogee
https://www.apogeerockets.com/
Great LPR stuff, a newsletter, and the Rocksim software. Check them out!

Pratt Hobbies
https://www.pratthobbies.com/
Lots of interesting stuff here. Get rid of the Estes-stlye recovery systems and replace it with Doug's Kevlar twine.

 

[PGerringer]

Of course you could go directly to "the man":

https://www.publicmissiles.com

Other than that, I think you now have a complete list. My favorite one though is Magnum Rockets. Ross has always been good and given great deals. And if you decide to deal with him, tell him that you heard about him on the Rocketry Forum. On second thought he may double the prices if you say that.

Shamefull Disclaimer: I do not work for or get kickbacks from Magnum Rocketry...

 

[Dogsbd]

Originally posted by KenParker


Welcome to the forum. I'm with you on the 2nd amendment. Been a target shooter all my life, and a reloader for about 12 years now. (Too lazy to hunt...) I notice that you are in South Carolina. If you ever shoot IPSC or High Power Rifle matches, I'd be willing to bet that we know some of the same people, as I lived in Columbia from 1990-1994.

- Ken

Thanks for the links, to all of you.

No Ken, I don't shoot IPSC or High Power but I'd like to try both some day. I think my eyes are already to old for High Power though. Since I carry my pistol daily I do try to shoot it quite often, so I would like to try something competitive in pistol as well.

I see you and PGerringer are in NC, are there any big time rocket "meets" in western NC or upstate SC (I'm in the Greenville area)?

My project is starting out as an Estes Executioner kit, I plan to build a X10 Camera compartment about midship with a by pass tube through it for ejecting the chute. As this rocket is rated for only around 590 feet in stock configuration (using an E engine) I imaging the weight of the camera/batteries will cut that a bit so I am already thinking of adding a booster stage later as well.

Any ideas along these lines would be most welcome as well!

 

[Jase]

I can't help you with the camera part of it, but the Executioner was one of my first mid powered kits to build.

I built mine fairly stock but used a lot of epoxy for building it and have flown it on an AT E-15 and last an F-12 and it flew great. The F-12 I would guess got it around 1200 ft. or so. maybe even higher. I'm not a good judge of height.

I've not even tried to fly it on any Estes motors.

Good luck with the project and welcome to the Forum!

There is a TRA and NAR club in Charlotte that does launches just outside the city, but the only high power launches I've been to so far are in Whitakers which is about 15 or 20 miles northeast of Rocky Mount.
https://www.tripolicharlotte.org/, https://www.whitakershpr.org/

There is a high power launch monthly I think in Orangeburg, SC. You should check it out!
https://www.tripolisc.com/

Jason