Frequently Asked Questions


What is your main goal?
My goal is to bring Research rocketry to the masses.
The cost of a Research motor is cheaper than a commercial motor.
You provide the labor which makes Research cheaper.
Reloads are normally half and the larger ones are one third of the cost.

Are Experimental motors dangerous?
They are no more dangerous than commercial motors.
You do have to take normal safety precautions while making propellant.
We teach you how to safely make propellant in the safety class.
These Research motors are more reliable than commercial motors if you follow the directions.


Is propellant easy and safe to make?
The propellant formulas that are used are almost odor free.
If you can make chocolate chip cookies, you can make propellant.
It should be mixed in the garage or an outside building.


Can I use AeroTech casings with your parts or propellants?
No. They use a screw closure and also cannot handle the pressures that our propellants generate.


Why does your propellant cost $20 a pound?
It does not. The price is for pre-weighed chemicals, O-rings, and liners.


Do I have to take your class to buy from you?
No, but you do have to take the class, or any similar class, to buy propellant.
This protects the company and its employees from liability issues.


How do I get a class near where I live?
It might be possible to get a class near you if enough people can attend.
I can give classes with 6 to 15 people up to 300 miles away from OKC.


Are your parts compatible with anything?
Yes. The 38mm, 76mm, and 98mm parts fit Thunderflame casings. The 98mm fits Kosdon casings.


Why are your casings silver or gray in color?
They are not anodized. If you clean your casings shortly after use, they do not need to be anodized.
This saves you money.
These Research motors make rocketry more affordable.

Why do you only allow Tripoli Level 2 members to take the class?
Because this is stipulated in the Tripoli Research Safety Code.
The only exception is if you can prove that you have an insured flying field that allows Research motors.


Do your casings fit AeroPac or slimline retainers?
The 54mm and 98mm fits, the 38mm and 75mm fit AeroPac.


What eyebolt sizes are needed with each size of end closure?
The 38mm line uses 1/4 inch, the 54mm and 76mm lines use 3/8 inch, and the 98mm uses 1/2" inch.


What equipment and supplies do I need?
If you buy the prepared mix packs, you will need a KitchenAid mixer, plastic scraper, WD-40, plastic bowl, and a large strainer.
If you buy bulk chemicals, you will also need a 2000g capacity scale with an accuracy of 0.1g, and measuring cups.


I want the blue and don't have a vaccuum pump, what can I do?
The mechanically degassed blue has been tested in the 38mm up thru the 6 grain and the small 54mm.
To mechanically degass, with nitrile gloves on, mash and then roll the propellant between your hands.
Then put the resulting snake of propellant into the liner and pack harder than normal.
It is best to have a second person make the snakes and to also put the insulator liner over the casting liner.
Otherwise, with the extra packing pressure, it is easy to damage the casting liner.


Why don't you have any long burn propellants?
I do have the slow red formula and it burns slightly slower.
I don't have any real long burn motors because these need a C-slot grain configuration.
With the C-slot, an erodsive nozzle is needed to handle the progressive burn, graphite does not erode.
The C-slot is also more difficult to cut and takes a custom saw with a jig.
Also the longer the burn, the more the heat builds up and a thicker insulating liner is needed.


Why should I buy the packing tool set?
With the packing tools, you are packing around a teflon mandrel.
This means that you will not have to drill out the core for most of the grains, which results in saving propellant.
You will have to drill out the nozzle core because it normally needs to be larger.
The tools also make a quicker job of packing propellant.


What type of graphite do you use for the nozzles?
I only use military spec graphite with a grain size of 0.005".
This type of graphite does cost more, but provides a superior product.


How do I use the Kevlar sock instead of glass fabric?
The sock stretches to easily fit body tubes from 3" diameter to 6" diameter.
It can be used on up to 7.5" diameter body tube, but it is difficult to stretch it that far.
Laminating or marine epoxy is normally used.
For a 48" long body tube, it will take 10 oz of epoxy for a 4" tube, 12 oz for a 5.5" tube, and 15 oz for a 7.5" tube.
I will then lightly sand and apply a putty thick mixture of epoxy and micro-balloons to fill in the ridges, followed by more sanding when it is cured.