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Originally Posted by astronwolf
I say , suit yourself. Do what works for you and increases your enjoyment of this hobby.
An option that you may wish to consider is the use of mini-size rail buttons and a 20/20 rail. Many of my newer model rocket builds are getting these instead of launch lugs.
http://www.rail-buttons.com/minibuttons.html
You can buy the rails from McMaster Carr. |
I really like the mini buttons for most of my midpower builds. I also use the micro buttons from rail-buttons.com.
Randy Milliken used to sell the 20mm rail, and I bought my first from him. They are available from Amazon. The micro buttons use the MakerBeam rail, available from Amazon in 2-packs. My first one was 900mm (~3 ft.) and I have since bought the 1500mm length (~5ft.) A two pack from Amazon was $27. Ordering rails from Amazon may be the cheapest way to get them because of free shipping options.
The one potential drawback to small rails I’ve noticed is inadequate spacing between fins on some designs. One I ran into is a two-stage rocket like a SuperNova, which has booster fins positioned centered between upper stage fins. There is only room for a 1/8” rod to fit between fins. I’ve tested the micro-buttons on an Estes V-2 (BT-80). Worked great. I’d normally use a mini on a rocket this big, but wanted to see how well it worked.
Here is picture of mini and micro buttons, the 20mm rail, and the MakerBeam rail. A 1/8” launch lug is in the picture for reference.
Note: MakerBeam is available in silver (clear anodize) which should be better if out in the hot sun. Also shown is my adapter to drop a MakerBeam rail into a standard pad. It has a piece of 3/16” rod in a dowel, lathe-turned to fit in a piec3 of brass tubing. The rail is epoxied into the tubing. I have found trapezoidal nuts to fit into the slots of both rails, so they can be mounted that way, or accessories like standoffs can be bolted onto he rail.
Final picture is my Super Orbital Transport on my Rockwell JawStand pad. Shown is an 8’ 20mm rail, as well as “ducting” from Home Depot.