motor retainer advice?

Leave about 0.5 in of motor mount tube aft of the aft ring. Cut a 0.05 in wide axial slit in this exposed portion of tube. Get a hose clamp at your local hardware store. Tighten the clamp to secure the motor.

I've certainly used masking tape, but I added an Aeropack retainer to my LOC Weasel, as shown in the image below. It fits really nicely with the airframe and looks great. You will have to build it with the MMT extending about 1/2" further aft than usual.

dollar stores have the perfect hose clamp in a 4 pack set, there are 2 small, not used and 2 larger ones that are of a smaller size then most hardware or automotive types and fit this need well

I build mine with a retainer from Binder Designs, light, works great. You can just see the end of it in this picture:

I checked out their website and finally found retainers under "Upgrades" (go figure :^).

Anyway, this is what I found:

"SLIMLINE MOTOR RETAINERS All Slimline products have been discontinued. Stay tuned for a cheaper alternative!"

Was it the slimline you used?

I don't pronounce it - only type it. That way I don't get my tongue all twisted up on such difficult issues.

If forced, maybe I would just go for "fabri-CA-ble". ;^)

Nice one - deals with both thrust and retention at same time.

No, Mike Fisher is making his own now. I have used his 29mm and 38 mm with great success.

Rocky Firth

So where can one see and/or obtain one (online or in the real world)? Where is Binder Design physically located (couldn't determine from his website)?

You can contact Mike at binderdesign at aol.com. I think I paid $12 for the 29mm retainer.

Rocky Firth

If you're not already sold on the Binder Design retainer, let me tell you about a method used when confronted with the same problem when using a 29mm MMT in a BT-60 (it transitioned to a BT-70 in the top half). It's kinda similar to the "Estes hook on steroids", but doesn't use spring action or flat metal......I used a length of coat hanger bent at right angles on each end that rotates within a slightly larger diameter brass tube. The brass tube is epoxied to the MMT & you cut or drill a small piece out of the bottom centering ring to allow the piece to stick out. I use masking tape wrapped around coat hanger & motor to assure hook doesn't rotate when I don't want it to. I discovered there are flimsier & stronger coat hangers. You could pick up thin rods at a hobby shop instead. I've flown that rocket over a dozen times on G35s & G64s with no problems. I did a variation on that when retrofitting a rocket with motor retention when I started using reloads. I epoxied the brass tube on the outside of the rocket where the fin & body tube meet, similar to how we sometimes glue a launch lug there. It's not that noticable, especially when painted the same color as that portion of the rocket. -- Richard "even got one bent to go down a 3 or 4" boat tail" Hickok

Sorry, we haven't updated the website in awhile to include the new retainers. The official rollout on these hasn't happened yet, but is coming soon. These have been available to local NW rocketeers as I refine the design. Anybody that can't wait and wants one now, feel free to phone us.

Thanks, Mike Fisher Binder Design

To bit eimer,

I use the Giant Leap Slimline retainer for all my minimum diameter rockets. It is reasonably priced and they also offer adapters if you want to go with a smaller motor. Giant Leap provides good products and great service with fast shipping. See their website here:

Good luck with your project,

Andrew

I've done 29 in 38 retainers. At that size, you either have to use the tiny T-nuts and file off all the round flange until it really is a "T", or use threaded brass inserts.

Bob Kaplow NAR # 18L TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD" >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD!

Without a doubt, Aeropack makes a great motor retainer to fit both PML and Kraft based mounts. A little pricey, but worth every penny.

Build the Weasel as a 38 mm rocket and use the slimline for retention. Then use a slimline 38-29 adapter for 29 mm flights.

My $.02

Mike Siedle TRA L2

So why not omit the hook and just use tape outside the motor as well and also a Kaplow clip for valuable consumer interaction rich RMS cases?

Jerry

This should be in the FAQ.

No prob. Most intersting thing I did all day :)

Doug Engineer trapped in marketing...