Where To Buy Model Rockets (Not Just Amazon)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 มิ.ย. 2024
- If you're new to model rocketry, and need to know where to buy model rockets, this video is for you.
Many people start searching for products they're looking for on Amazon, and there are model rockets to be found there. But there are a lot of good model rocket suppliers online who know the hobby really well, and I recommend you shop from them. Links for all of these vendors below (I've personally bought from most of them myself).
There are some things I prefer buying on Amazon, either because you can find them in bulk, or because of speed of shipping or price. Here are a few supplies you might check out, as well as books:
Multipacks of hobby knife blades:
100 pack: amzn.to/3rdqPnU (Paid link)
120 pack: amzn.to/3rcoNUU (Paid link)
The Handbook of Model Rocketry (this is a must-read for rocketeers!): amzn.to/35XRbCY (Paid link)
Make: Rockets: Down-to-Earth Rocket Science - a great book by Mike Westerfield: amzn.to/3JkOB7z (Paid link)
My FAVORITE hobby knife (it's a little bit unusual): amzn.to/3DVi330 (Paid link)
But for most model rocket kits and supplies, I prefer to go with vendors who specialize in the hobby, and who know how to package the sometimes-fragile materials they ship you!
Here are the links to all the vendors I mention in the video. They're all a little different, but they're all great, and you can't go wrong with them. These are small businesses who want to give you good customer service.
Estes Rockets: estesrockets.com/
Quest Aerospace: www.questaerospace.com/
Apogee Components: apogeerockets.com/
Apogee's TH-cam channel: / apogeerockets
JonRocket: jonrocket.com/shop/
eRockets: www.erockets.biz/
Aerospace Specialty Products (ASP): www.asp-rocketry.com/
AC Supply: www.acsupplyco.com/
Belleville Hobby: bellevillehobby.com/
Buy Rocket Motors: www.buyrocketmotors.com/
North Coast Rocketry: northcoastrocketry.com/
FlisKits: www.fliskits.com/WPRESS/
The USB flash drive camera from eBay that I show is no longer $6, but it's still pretty cheap. There are a number of listings for them. Here's a seller I found with a decent rating (I have no affiliation with any eBay seller or drop shipper!): www.ebay.com/itm/374000400713...
As always, go with a well-rated seller!
If you want to refer to this list of model rocket suppliers later, you can bookmark this entry on my blog, which has the whole list:
rocketn00b.blogspot.com/2022/...
Visit my Etsy shop for rocketry and space-themed merch - t-shirts, coffee mugs, and more. Use the promo code ROCKETTUBE for 10% off your first purchase: www.etsy.com/shop/RocketN00b
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:25 - Amazon
3:01 - Hobby Shops
5:00 - Estes
6:04 - Quest Aerospace
7:02 - Apogee Components
7:46 - JonRocket
8:21 - eRockets
9:54 - Aerospace Specialty Products
10:38 - AC Supply
13:18 - Belleville Hobby
14:16 - Buy Rocket Motors
15:02 - North Coast Rocketry
17:14 - FlisKits
18:28 - Balsa Machining Service
19:14 - eBay
My podcast is The Model Rocket Show, available on all your major podcatchers. The website for the show is themodelrocketshow.com/
I created my thumbnail and most of my t-shirts on Canva, a great graphic design website I've become addicted to. I've even used Canva to put together video clips. You can check it out and get a subscription here: partner.canva.com/c/3116315/6... (Paid link). If you subscribe through this link, it helps to support my channel!
I designed my end graphics on PlaceIt, another design site. I've used PlaceIt for some of my shirt designs too. I also use their mockups in my Etsy shop, so customers can see what their items will look like. You can subscribe to PlaceIt here: 1.envato.market/c/3116315/629... (Paid link). Again, this helps my channel, so thank you!
And my new favorite manual coffee grinder! amzn.to/46zUpGc
#estesrockets #stem #howto - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
Takes me back to 8th grade, about 1967, and my green & yellow Estes Astron Alpha.
Thanks for putting this video together. I used to do rockets as a kid. Just bought a new kit and got back into it. Now I can’t stop doing the math to calculate launch metrics and cost per rocket. It’s kinda fun.
Thanks! I just ordered a bunch of new rocket stuff myself last night!
Hands down... the best intro video ever! Thanks.
I'm glad you liked it!
They sold Estes rockets and engines in the toy section of every department store that had a toy section when I was a kid in the 70's and 80's.
As a customer of Apogee Components for over two decades, I can't speak highly enough of their customer service and Tim's service to the hobby educating folks about all manner of rocketry topics. I have also found Balsa Machining Service, North Coast Rocketry and AC Supply to be great companies. I started with Estes long ago; it is great to see the new ownership inject excitement and innovation into their offerings while retaining their rich heritage.
Thank you, I enjoyed you video. It been years since I've built a Model Rocket (from the early 60's to the late 60's) now that I'm retired maybe it time to get back into Model Rockets.
Love your enthusiasm! And those were some very clean builds you showed. You pretty much nailed the list of sources. I might have added Stickershock and Tango Papa for out of production or custom decals. All in all nice video Daniel. Love your podcast too.
Just found your channel. Great job and please keep doing the build videos. I'm getting back into rockets after retiring and having some time on my hands.
Thanks for mentioning all of those suppliers! I learned about a few new ones and will definitely check them out. SUBBED!
Great video RocketNoob! Your enthusiasm is contagious. You provided a great list of resources and for me, a reminder of some sites I haven't been to in awhile. Great info! Just subbed up to you sir!
Thanks!
I can’t believe you got a Cherokee-D! That was my big brother’s only D-engine rocket from the late ‘60s/early 70’s and a favorite of mine. You also might be surprised to learn that my son and I found a new Estes Cherokee-D at Hobby Lobby just two weeks ago here in Virginia. We bought the ESAM 58 (beautiful kit) and Epic II instead, but I’m definitely going to pick up a Cherokee soon. Also, I have no idea how we’re going to actually recover the Epic II. We’re definitely not going to send it on C-engines, at least for the first few flights. Great video!
Thanks!
I LOVE that you are helping to encourage purchasing at local hobby shops! I'm a Gen-X'er and when I was growing up there were a number of local shops to purchase from. Today, not so much. Every single one of the shops I patronized growing up in the Portland, Oregon area are now gone. I just visited an independent shop today that I haven't been to in a few years and it has new ownership. Guess what? He supports model rockets better than the previous owners so that is a win for both of us as I'll now be giving him the majority of my business.
They're a dying breed, that's for sure.
Love the little video camera!
I have ordered from several of the companies mentioned in this video. But two really good ones that did not make the list that I have had exceptional experiences with are a company in southern CA called Discount Rocketry. When I am going to buy motors I ALWAYS check out there website because they have an amazing inventory of motors and also they usually have the best price. Jim and Ruby are the owners and are very friendly to talk with if you have any questions. They also have a full line of kits and rocket building supplies. Check them out. The other company that I have just recently started dealing with is called Rocketry Works, again great customer support. I ordered a kit froom them exclusive to their store and it came missing a few pieces. I contacted them and they apologized profuselyand then immediately took care of it. An amazing part was that I was also interested in purchasing a nose cone I wanted for a BT80 rocket so I asked if they could include it with the replacement parts they were going to send me and the owner said no problem and he would include it with no charge to the replacement part order. I have ordered two more times from them since and have been very happy. The owners name is James and he has been great to work with. Another full service store with kits and supplies, with some things that are not common to many of the other rocket supply stores.
That is awesome. Thanks for the tips! I'll check them out.
XLNT commentary and knowledge and information about Model Rocketry. More advanced than my old rocketry days 1963-67. Thank you.🚀⚡💥🔥😝
Too bad Centuri no longer exists.
They used to make some interesting kits, like the skylab, the Pterodactyl (glider for higher power E motor carrier vehicles), the Mini Dactyl (mini motor powered downsized pop pod version of the Pterodactyl-great for small fields and competitive flying), etc.
I've been building and flying since early 70's, and have seen the hobby/sport come a long way!!!
Some of more prized possessions are the North Coast Rocketry X-wing and the Estes upscale X-wing that flies on 24mm motors.
I agree. I flew Centuri primarily till I joined the Navy in 79. In between duty stations, drove cross country to Phoenix to visit the company. Didn’t know they sold out to Estes. But started to see many of Centuris components in the Estes kits.
Want to clone the LJ II (3 engine cluster, and Saturn 1b n V (5 engine clusters ). LongTom have to add to thst list as it was the best flight ever. Straight and true- high altitude and waved it goodbye not knowing the winds that high up.
Good memories. 😉
Great info. I didn’t know most of these sites but you really grabbed my attention with mentioning STEM. I want to bring Rocketry to our local STEM program at work. ( vinegar and baking soda doesn’t quite cut it ) 😎
That's great! I'm glad you found it helpful! Let me know if you have any questions. Maybe I'll make a video about it.
My first rocket was the Estes Mosquito. But I also had the Bandit, Alpha 3, Red Max Cherokee D and X-Wing. I also built my own launch controller with auto countdown and launch on zero.
He'll yeah!
MaxQ and Ollie-Oop Rocketry are the only one's I didn't hear you mention. Thank you for what you did mention.
"ENGINE/MOTOR" ; Thanks for the video. I didn't realize so many vendors.
Nice work Daniel, for components especially small orders my goto is rocketarium or erockets
Erockets sent me a poorly packaged kit with crushed tubes and would not respond to emails or calls. Buyer beware. Apogee is at more of a premium but would not allow such a thing to happen.
Something to note is you can get replacement body tubes through Estes if you order something (especially something OOP) and it comes with a dinged up tube that you can't easily repair. The instructions should indicate what size the tube is, and you can cut them to the proper length. If the ends are slightly compressed, and the kit comes with a coupler, you can use that to work the tube back into shape, remove it, then apply some thin CA to solidify the tube.
Hobby Lobby is also great, but I've heard they are phasing out rockets... We will see. Terrific video and thanks for sharing!
I usually buy from ERockets because they have such a huge selection of kits and a bonus for me is that I live about 7 miles from their warehouse. If you’re in the Dayton Ohio area, I highly recommend visiting them. I believe they have typical hours and every Tuesday they have an open house event that brings in dozens of people who talk rockets and build them there. I’ve also found that ERockets sells Estes kits for a few dollars less than Estes themselves!
Randy is an awesome guy who sells lots of kits that they make in-house themselves. You can easily spend a couple of hours in there shopping, and if you have some money to spend, you will spend it!!
I really envy members of the Wright Stuff Rocketeers club who get to do meetings and build nights there at eRockets!
Dayton? I had no idea this place was in Dayton. Wandered back into the hobby after several decades. Guess where I'm going now this week!
You should join the local club. They have build nights at eRockets. I'm so jealous
That's where I get most of my kits and parts for scratch-builds. Engines I order from Launchpad 2000.
Been thinking of restoring my Honest John which I built in 1976, but would need to research how update to modern standards. Still have an unbuilt Starship Enterprise in storage too.
Local hobby shops are where we used to buy ours. Estees.
Awesome video.
Thanks!
Years ago, I built an Estes V-2. It was one of Estes largest kits and used a D-motor. I painted it in the style of the post-war White Sands tests and it came out great. All the lines were straight as an arrow and the edges were razor sharp. It was so good that I planned on only flying it once and then saving it as a display model. Well, of course this was the one and only time I ever had an Estes motor detonate on me. 😮 It turned into a cloud of dust with just the plastic nose cone flying up about 20 feet (the parachute slowed it) and coming down. I was really bummed. But I have to say, it did look pretty cool. Quite impressive. 😊
It's a tricky mask to get right. I've been working on one for some time now, and masking those lines and getting them straight on the curved surfaces is what's holding me back from finishing it.
Sorry to hear about the CATO. It's always sad to lose a good looking model rocket. This can be a heartbreaking hobby sometimes!
Whoa!!!!! Love the Ventris @16:22
Thanks! It's one of my favorites.
@@TheRocketN00b would love to chat on how you come up with Video ideas, Let's connect!
Google and Amazon... that's weird for me to hear about this topic involving those two. Last time I ordered rockets/supplies was the Estes catalog. Like 1990
Great Video. Who Makes the Tres?
It's by FlisKits. They also do a nice two-motor kit called Deuces Wild.
Great video with awesome information. A big thank you!! Can you provide info on the rocket video camera you purchased on ebay (seller info or link). Also, can you provide info such as an item number for the payload nose cones? Thanks!
I don't know if the vendor I bought that from is still selling them, but I put a link to a newer listing in the video description.
As for the payload, I don't have specific product numbers, but you can still make one easily. If the kit you're building doesn't have a payload, you can go to several of the vendors I mention (especially JonRocket, ASP, and eRockets), and either look up "nose block" (a balsa plug you can use to make the bottom of the payload section), or even "payload kit" and find premade payload kits that will fit the rocket you're building. You just need to know the tube size, which should be written on the kit package.
You can either add a payload to the rocket and make it longer, or you can cut the top of the tube, and make the upper part into a payload. I think I ought to make a video on that some time.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
@@TheRocketN00b awesome, thank you for the info. I am really enjoying the podcasts on your website too.
estes high flyer is that less?
Helps😊
estes sr 71 model. can't find it please give me you wisdm
The problem I see today is finding a place to launch. Back in the old days, you could find a schoolyard or an open field. Good luck with that around here. If you live out west you could have a lot of options. I would may try and back into it just for fun.
I always suggest looking for a club - they usually have access (with permission!) to a good site.
In Indiana I just went to a park. Near Boston it's much more densely settled, so I'd rather fly with a club than ruffle any feathers.
Amazon, Lol, we went to our local hobby shop. In my case it was Rich’s Hobby Town in Pine Brook, NJ
My previous home of Bloomington, Indiana had a great hobby shop, but last time I went back to visit, it had closed. The couple who owned it were rather advanced in age, and I suspect they couldn't keep the business going past a certain point.
It was a great shop, though. I was sad to see it gone.
@@TheRocketN00b Same as us growing up. Then all mail order mostly from Centuri and few from Estes. Miss the good old days
I'm surprised no mention of Aerotech - They were pretty good in the late 90's early 2000s as far as i remember.
Edit - never mind i see quest on here - i guess they same thing as Aerotech - Thanks for the video! I miss the hobby rocket days!.
Well, I do mention in the video that a number of these vendors sell Aerotech products. Probably half of the vendors posted here sell Aerotech motors, as well as kits.
But, as I say, this list isn't exhaustive, as it's mainly aimed at beginners just looking for where to get started. I was actually worried I put too many!
I was an original Estes Ind. Rocketeer 1963-1967. Never bought kits, enjoyed making my own designs, learning Aeronautical engineering principles of flight. Unfortunately, i purchased large slabs of asbestos for my lauch pads, cutting and sanding, we didn't know. I had Fun!😝🔥💥⚡🚀🇺🇲🥰
I'm not New with this hobby and I want to get back into it. Do they make rocket kits that have slow lift off and slower speeds?
Slow liftoff is kind of a relative term in model rocketry. The Estes Big Bertha is advertised as having "slow, realistic take offs," but it's not like a Saturn V. It's slow for a model rocket, but still fast enough for a safe flight.
Since model rockets are stabilized with fins, they have to travel a minimum speed to have enough airflow over the fins for them to work.
Probably between 24-30mph is about as slow as you'd want to shoot for, on a calm day (wind is bad news for slow rockets). Sometimes I see a heavy model lift off even slower than that, though. If you look through the TH-cam Shorts videos on my channel, you'll see a recent launch of an Estes Skylab Saturn V that is pretty slow and graceful, and flies surprisingly well!
Also, check out the BPS Space channel - there are some impressive, slow flights on there, with no fins.
I would recommend shopping around with Apogee Components. Every kit they sell has a recommended motors section to assist with flight altitude ect but also includes a notes section that will cite something along the lines of “not recommended on windy day” or will cite minimum launch rail height. This is your clue that you will have a slower liftoff.
Apogee Components!
Great video. being doing rocketry since 1969. here in Canada; check out the Canadian Rocket Store in Waterloo, Ontario.
Does michaels sell rocket kits...i checked online but couldnt find anything.
Sometimes. I got my first few ready to fly kits from Michaels ten years ago, but they went on clearance. I'm not sure whether that was for the season or for good.
It's a seasonal product for them, though, so probably worth checking in Spring.
I get some rc stuff on AMain Hobby . I think they have stuff..
Ok. When I was a kid we had a battery powered electric launchpad. Do they still make these? I haven’t seen one in years.
I don't know of any on the market currently where the launch pad is battery powered itself, but the launch controllers always are. Some clubs run wire out to a relay and have the battery right there at the pad for more power, but those are usually DIY contraptions and used for high power rockets and clusters. I think Estes used to make a launch controller/launch pad as a single unit, but that was back in the 1960's.
Great vid, now where do I order that shirt?
It's funny you should ask. I just shut down my Etsy shop because selling there was becoming a pain, and I don't have a current shop, but I can let you know if and when I get something started!
I want to build me a simple rocket that can fly for about 16km or 10 miles. What do I need exactly?
Ten miles in altitude?
Google didn’t exist when I started. I am ¯＼◔ー◔/¯ at getting back into it and clone some of my older kits from the 60s n 70s. Was a big Centuri fan. May have to check out Amazon.
i need to make my own engines
I made my own very easily bp and sugar.
HobbyLink
Ebay, hobby shop. 🤷♂️
Generally speaking, a motor runs on electricity and an engine uses internal combustion. I'm sure there are infinite arguments on how to classify a rocket "engine/motor".
A motor can be anything that imparts motion. An engine has moving parts. The words can be used interchangeably in some instances - such as a car, which has an internal combustion engine which might also be called the motor.
But in rocketry, engines are liquid fueled. The internal moving parts are the pumps and valves.
A solid rocket "engine" is actually just a motor, because it just burns. Propellant burns, gas expands, and it all goes out the nozzle. It can't be throttled or shut off. All it does is move the rocket.
So the Saturn V had engines, because it was liquid fueled. The Space Shuttle had both - liquid engines and solid rocket booster motors. And sounding rockets using solid propellants use motors - which is what the NASA personnel in the sounding rocket call them.
Estes calls them "engines" partly due to an ages old misunderstanding by Vern Estes. At this point, "engine" is kind of a branding term by Estes. AeroTech, Cesaroni, etc. use the term motor.
But, potato potahto. :)
Taping a camera to the size of rocket doesn't effect aerodynamics and stability?
Stability, no, unless it's a really small rocket with a razor thin margin. Aerodynamics, sure, a little bit. It increases drag somewhat but you probably won't notice much loss of altitude unless you're competing or using a very low power motor.
But it's a trade off. You sacrifice a little altitude for some cool video footage.
Don't make excuses for Amazon employees. They treat our stuff like crap even more than the other shipping organizations. And the people that box most items for shipping are clueless. Good video though.
As a former Amazon employee, you are correct.
I might have dropped a computer case on the ground, and might have banked a small package off the side of the semi truck...
AC Supply
Yep
It's pronounced estees not estas
I hate to argue, but to quote Gleda Estes, "Estess is Bestest." But I believe the freight line, Estes Express Lines, is pronounced esteez.
Just go to a hobby store, simple.
4.50 minutes into the video and still haven't told me where.
Bitchin' channel!!!! I live in SoCal, and I haven't found a flying site I can launch my low-powered models, without joining a woke clique, or drawing the attention of the authorities. Any tips?
I launched a few times at Griffith park. Look for local soccer or baseball fields when not in use.
@@Mike_Greentea A TRILLION Thanks, Mike!!!!!!!!! Did you launch there recently? Was this at the observatory? I'm SO EXCITED right now, I can HARDLY type!!!! It would be worth the trip for me!!!!!! I live in the Inland Empire (Colton).
@TheRocketN00b >>> I just found your channel. Subbed...👍