Where To Buy Model Rockets (Not Just Amazon)

[@TheRocketN00b]

To learn more about model rocketry, check out The Handbook of Model Rocketry by G. Harry Stine and Bill Stine: amzn.to/35XRbCY (affiliate link) Another great book to check out about designing and building your own model rockets is Make: Rockets: Down-To-Earth Rocket Science by Mike Westerfield: amzn.to/3JkOB7z (affiliate link)

[@SwedeHeaven88]

Apogee has a literal treasure trove of how-to and build videos. Their repair videos are really handy

[@TheRocketN00b]

@@SwedeHeaven88 Their newsletter archive is also downloadable from their website.

[@neilmarsh1904]

Takes me back to 8th grade, about 1967, and my green & yellow Estes Astron Alpha.

[@garettanderson6772]

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.

[@tomgoudreau976]

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.

[@charlestwitchell4634]

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.

[@TheRocketN00b]

Thanks! I just ordered a bunch of new rocket stuff myself last night!

[@crunchydango]

I've been flying rockets on and off for 24 years, and even I learned from this video! Belleville Hobby is a vendor I had never heard of, and I am SO glad you pointed me in their direction! They don't have an enormous selection like Apogee, but where else can you get a Mercury Redstone kit for 12 bucks?! That's less than the one I bought from Hobby Lobby in 2002! That's less than it costs me to get lunch! And $33 for a 12 pack of Q-jets? Um, yes please!

[@kurtism9040]

Hands down... the best intro video ever! Thanks.

[@TheRocketN00b]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@hilonesome52]

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.

[@TheRocketN00b]

That is awesome. Thanks for the tips! I'll check them out.

[@fwilf5071]

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.

[@SteveH-gt3wz]

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.

[@Spetznatz01]

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!!

[@TheRocketN00b]

I really envy members of the Wright Stuff Rocketeers club who get to do meetings and build nights there at eRockets!

[@HNXMedia]

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!

[@TheRocketN00b]

You should join the local club. They have build nights at eRockets. I'm so jealous

[@stevemastnick5034]

That's where I get most of my kits and parts for scratch-builds. Engines I order from Launchpad 2000.

[@michaelandcolinspop]

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!

[@TheRocketN00b]

Thanks!

[@mikestanley9176]

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.

[@FrancisKinsleyJr]

He'll yeah!

[@garrettyamada9821]

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.

[@stemmentor9700]

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. 😉

[@blackcattrucking4907]

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.

[@TheRocketN00b]

They're a dying breed, that's for sure.

[@stemmentor9700]

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 ) 😎

[@TheRocketN00b]

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.

[@KevinsModels]

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!

[@TheRocketN00b]

Thanks!

[@ATrainGames]

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!

[@lcdmonitor1981]

Nice work Daniel, for components especially small orders my goto is rocketarium or erockets

[@kyqx]

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.

[@mikefisher2673]

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.

[@DoubleMrE]

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. 😊

[@TheRocketN00b]

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!

[@glrespicefinem3759]

XLNT commentary and knowledge and information about Model Rocketry. More advanced than my old rocketry days 1963-67. Thank you.🚀⚡💥🔥😝

[@mikestimac1640]

MaxQ and Ollie-Oop Rocketry are the only one's I didn't hear you mention. Thank you for what you did mention.

[@billbrett365]

"ENGINE/MOTOR" ; Thanks for the video. I didn't realize so many vendors.

[@patricksiney]

Upland Brewing Co. beer box in the background. so if you are close to Bloomington I have a few really nice homemade rockets that you might want to check out sometime. My father pasted away and he made many over the years from scratch. Mostly in the 70's. Many have flown over 30 times in 50 years. Many have unique recovery system that is one off and designed by my father. I shoot them off every once in a while. Just went out 2 weekends ago. Someday they need to go to someone that can appreciate rocketry the way it was back in the day when you built everything from scratch and the dream, design, test was just as much fun as the launch days.

[@TheRocketN00b]

That would be awesome! I don't live there any more, though, and don't often get to go back to visit. I lived in Bloomington for years, and now we're in the Boston area. Where do you usually fly? I used to launch in Karst Farm Park.

[@patricksiney]

@@TheRocketN00b 3 weeks ago I fly next door at the 4-H fair grounds! But if I can't get in there I would go next door to Karst as well.

[@rzentz9690]

Love the little video camera!

[@tysonreissfelder6710]

Thanks for mentioning all of those suppliers! I learned about a few new ones and will definitely check them out. SUBBED!

[@patricksiney]

Our local Hobby Lobby has rockets, wadding, parachutes, engines, and rocket kits for those who would like the try out the hobby for the first time.

[@FrancisKinsleyJr]

Local hobby shops are where we used to buy ours. Estees.

[@chrisdavis469]

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

[@DavidSiebert]

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.

[@TheRocketN00b]

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.

[@jasonblackburn6548]

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!

[@TheRocketN00b]

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!

[@jasonblackburn6548]

@@TheRocketN00b awesome, thank you for the info. I am really enjoying the podcasts on your website too.

[@neilmorgan6734]

Great Video. Who Makes the Tres?

[@TheRocketN00b]

It's by FlisKits. They also do a nice two-motor kit called Deuces Wild.

[@user-ml7ty3mp1o]

Amazon, Lol, we went to our local hobby shop. In my case it was Rich’s Hobby Town in Pine Brook, NJ

[@TheRocketN00b]

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.

[@stemmentor9700]

@@TheRocketN00b Same as us growing up. Then all mail order mostly from Centuri and few from Estes. Miss the good old days

[@phillipholt6005]

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?

[@TheRocketN00b]

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 KZbin 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.

[@timothyvickers2773]

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.

[@bobdorcas5155]

Great video. being doing rocketry since 1969. here in Canada; check out the Canadian Rocket Store in Waterloo, Ontario.

[@glyphhunter]

Great vid, now where do I order that shirt?

[@TheRocketN00b]

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!

[@mrmookypooky]

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!.

[@TheRocketN00b]

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!

[@CAPHOTO1961]

Thanks for the video, there a lot more vendors than I realized. Im getting back into the hobby, and this past weekend went to Austin Area Rocket Group launch day, and was a blast. Some really big high power rockets were launched along with some very cool mid power and model rockets. I launched my first model rocket back in 1970 in 6th grade, nose cone was too tight and it just went ballistic. Never found it. That's a gread idea about using a tripod for a launch platform. I do a lot of photography so I have a some extra tripods i can convert. Getting down on the ground was never appealing.

[@TheRocketN00b]

I've got a friend who flies with the Austin group. James Duffy. He's well known in the rocketry community and is an amazing scale modeler. His channel on here is rocket.aero

[@CAPHOTO1961]

@@TheRocketN00b awesome thank you!

[@sed6]

Apogee Components!

[@StuartGreenley]

Whoa!!!!! Love the Ventris @16:22

[@TheRocketN00b]

Thanks! It's one of my favorites.

[@StuartGreenley]

@@TheRocketN00b would love to chat on how you come up with Video ideas, Let's connect!

[@glrespicefinem3759]

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!😝🔥💥⚡🚀🇺🇲🥰

[@Ice_Diver_Ed]

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.

[@TheRocketN00b]

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.

[@kohnbonn9744]

Does michaels sell rocket kits...i checked online but couldnt find anything.

[@TheRocketN00b]

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.

[@nicbaeten]

I want to build me a simple rocket that can fly for about 16km or 10 miles. What do I need exactly?

[@TheRocketN00b]

Ten miles in altitude?

[@TheOrbitingBrick]

Awesome video.

[@TheRocketN00b]

Thanks!

[@johnodo764]

Taping a camera to the size of rocket doesn't effect aerodynamics and stability?

[@TheRocketN00b]

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.

[@K_Nasty]

I get some rc stuff on AMain Hobby . I think they have stuff..

[@hadleymanmusic]

estes high flyer is that less?

[@TheRocketN00b]

They are all less on AC Supply, but the rules have changed since the video was released. Now, you see full price when you look at the website. But if you add it to your shopping cart, there's a discount, and possibly a further discount if you create a profile with AC Supply rather than just checking out as a guest. This is due to a policy change by Estes a year or so ago, where vendors had to advertise a minimum price for Estes products. There are a number of reasons why they might have done this, and I have some guesses, but I won't speculate. But, yeah, the Hi Flier should still be cheaper.

[@stemmentor9700]

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.

[@edweidemann7454]

estes sr 71 model. can't find it please give me you wisdm

[@TheRocketN00b]

At this rate, they'll probably re-release it some time in the next few years. Otherwise, eBay is your friend. Just don't overpay.

[@chrisrcarraher8800]

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".

[@TheRocketN00b]

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. :)

[@thebohemianmasta]

HobbyLink

[@dbear773]

Helps😊

[@godfreycarmichael]

AC Supply

[@TheRocketN00b]

Yep

[@Neverlookagain]

You forgot lock precision

[@nitroneal48]

It's pronounced estees not estas

[@TheRocketN00b]

I hate to argue, but to quote Gleda Estes, "Estess is Bestest." But I believe the freight line, Estes Express Lines, is pronounced esteez.

[@ericneilson1198]

Just go to a hobby store, simple.

[@TheRocketN00b]

I mentioned hobby shops, but those are getting harder to find in a lot of places. My old one closed down when the owners got too elderly to run it. It was a great store in its day.

[@Damian-cd4xd]

Like the man said, they are fewer hobby shops around anymore. We used to have a really nice Hobbybench hobby shop here in Prescott AZ and it closed its doors about 10 years ago because the fucking owners of the property raised the rent too high.

[@ericneilson1198]

@@Damian-cd4xd The whole Verde Valley is expensive, bedroom communties around Sedona is my assumption.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

@TheRocketN00b >>> I just found your channel. Subbed...👍