Temporary launch lug

[TomSmith58]

Folks
I have a Mongoose 29, which is a minimum diameter high performance rocket. I want to keep it clean and use fly-away rail guides at big meets. However I do not own nor do I want to buy a 1010 rail launcher so I can fly on my own.

My idea is to use hose clamps to clamp on a temporary launch lug. I could use my 1/4 launch rod and sacrifice performance with a draggy adapter. That way I could launch on my own and not have to schedule my launches to match the local club schedule.

I might take a 4 inch section of heavy wall 29mm body tube and glue a 1/4 launch lug to it. I would split the body tube opposite to the lug and slip it over my rocket. Then I would use two hose clamps to clamp it to my rocket.

What do you think of that idea?

 

[GregGleason]

I've used clear packing tape to secure lugs, up to 2.60" with 29mm motors. Then I remove them when I'm ready to add a permanent solution. The caveat is the surface must be able to handle the level of tackiness of the tape.

Greg

 

[KilroySmith]

I think your solution would work fine; but I'd probably cheat and just put a couple of wraps of stretched electrical tape around it to hold everything in place. If your rocket is painted, perhaps a spot or two of rubber cement underneath to provide resistance to sliding.

 

[Crash-n-Burn]

I think you can skip the hose clamps for something a bit simpler/lighter/more aesthetically pleasing/not metal. Hot glue would work fine and is removable. Your body tube sleeve would also work great.

 

[NateLowrie]

I think you can skip the hose clamps for something a bit simpler/lighter/more aesthetically pleasing/not metal. Hot glue would work fine and is removable. Your body tube sleeve would also work great.

Second this. Electrical tape would work well too.

 

[watermelonman]

My minimum diameter rockets have this -

Unconventional to be sure, but it has worked extremely well for me.

 

[Scoops]

Have you considered building a simple 1010 rail pad? I know buying one is really expensive. I built one for about $100 in parts from McMaster-Carr and a local metal shop when i started doing high power rockets. This way I can build everything with rail buttons or use a fly-away guide and launch smaller rockets on F's and Gs at a field nearby whenever works best.

If you want I can post pictures of the pad.

Steve
L2