I'm looking to build/purchase a launch pad and 12v controller so that our club can get into the MPR game.

Initially I was thinking "ah, easy to build etc" but lately I've thought it will be safer, lighter, easier to transport, more reliable etc etc etc if we buy one instead.

I remember RocketballSA suggesting a Mantis pad + Interlok was the way to go, so I did a bit of research.

CommonwealthDisplays sells the Initiator kit (pad, controller + initiator rocket) for $170 but shipping will be another $100!!!!!  

Discount Rocketry no longer stock and will not restock the Aerotech Mantis gear (so why keep it on the website, I wondered) and instead plugged another companies gear "Vaughn Brothers"... link:

https://www.discountrocketry.com/launch-supplies-c-12_781.html

That V.B. gear looks pretty good but from what I'm reading the pad takes a 1/4" rod as a MINIMUM which is a bit sucky since we've got 3/8" gear that fits under the MPR umbrella. Plus it's rather more expensive (about $225 or so).

Any other ideas???? Any way of getting around the insane shipping fee?

VB pad does look good i see even hobblinc has sold out of mantis pads

most MPR pads will cost a bit unless you make it your self PARC just uses small block pavers with a rod through the center of the block cost about $7.00 dollars last year we used mantis pads but broke half of them


you can make one out of PVC pipe i will find apic for you

in the below pic they have used a keyless chuck to hold the rods

or if you can weld the below one is nice maybe abit big just yet

Quoted from Mr F

I'm looking to build/purchase a launch pad and 12v controller so that our club can get into the MPR game.

Initially I was thinking "ah, easy to build etc" but lately I've thought it will be safer, lighter, easier to transport, more reliable etc etc etc if we buy one instead.

I remember RocketballSA suggesting a Mantis pad + Interlok was the way to go, so I did a bit of research.

CommonwealthDisplays sells the Initiator kit (pad, controller + initiator rocket) for $170 but shipping will be another $100!!!!!  

Discount Rocketry no longer stock and will not restock the Aerotech Mantis gear (so why keep it on the website, I wondered) and instead plugged another companies gear "Vaughn Brothers"... link:

https://www.discountrocketry.com/launch-supplies-c-12_781.html

That V.B. gear looks pretty good but from what I'm reading the pad takes a 1/4" rod as a MINIMUM which is a bit sucky since we've got 3/8" gear that fits under the MPR umbrella. Plus it's rather more expensive (about $225 or so).

Any other ideas???? Any way of getting around the insane shipping fee?

That shipping cost does not sound correct Mr F. Although it was a couple of years ago when got my kit it was shipped at the maximum rate which was direct air mail and the cost was only $59.

The best value appears to be the starter kit with the reload casing included whereby your getting the casing for $53. Total cost is $224 plus shipping.

These pads are only suitable for up to G motors. If you go higher to a H or more they will likely break. The suggestions by Wolflair are good but it is very time consuming to build pads such as the example shown. Your still going to need a controller with wires and clips etc.

Would question that shipping cost they quoted you. That appears very wrong!

Hope the above helps

Beware though, Aerotech have two Initiator starter kits, one with the casing, one without. Make sure you compare the apples to apples when looking at prices.

Quoted from RocketballSA

The best value appears to be the starter kit with the reload casing included whereby your getting the casing for $53. Total cost is $224 plus shipping.

Is that US dollars or AUS dollars ?

that's all in US dollars.

Yeah, the Initiator kit plus RMS is less of a bargain now that RouseTech etc are making cases under licence. I reckon the RouseTech 29-40/120 case is only about $50 anyway. But if you wanted an Aerotech case that would be the way to go. Actually I did consider getting that simply because we'd then have two 29mm cases which equals double the fun before needing to clean/reload and protects against the sadness & frustration of losing the only 29mm case halfway through a launch meet.

Yeah, RBSA, I thought $100 for postage sounded ridiculous but that's what I was quoted (from Commonwealth, anyway) which is odd because they're usually pretty cheap. I guess it wouldn't hurt to confirm.

Hey, cheers for those pix and info, Wolf... a paver and a rod eh? Those other pads look pretty neat.

the pic below shows the small paver nice length of rod just bend a couple of inches over on the other side of the paver easy and it will handle up to H size no probs

and the PVC pad does not take long to build just go to the hardware or just use a saw horse

dont look at the rocket

There might be some Aerotech starter sets in Australia?
I thought Peter Berg usually had at least one in his store

ah, got a quote from discount rocketry for the Vaughn bros gear... it weighs in at 22 pounds and shipping is US$132  

so i'd assume the other quote was also pretty accurate.

looks like the US plans to claw their way out of the financial crisis through postage and handling fees  

i think i need to get in touch with Bergie and see how his prices match up.

Then again, that paver seems an easy fix! How thick are they Phil? I'm still weighing up the options. If we go with a paver/home-made job we'll probably still spend the extra $ on a professsional controller.

paver is a couple of inches thick standard block paver

Quoted from kryten

There might be some Aerotech starter sets in Australia?
I thought Peter Berg usually had at least one in his store

This would be handy to know. If we could find a "volunteer" Kryten to post info on behalf of Peter Berg of what he has in his store this would likely assist everyone. That is the purpose of this section here; http://www.australianrocketryclub.com.au/forum/b-BH/

I made a MPR launch pad out of a HD tripod and some 1/4" steel rod. Seems very solid.
I bought the tripod a few years ago to handle large astronomical binoculars. Its surveyor-class, extremely strong and stable.
- tripod base with 3/4" socket (could take 3/16, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 rods or rail)
- blast deflector plate: metal termite plate (Bunnings $2) drill hole off centre so slopes down at angle from rod
- metal rod: 5ft x  1/4" (Bunnings $10) epoxy clay build up end to fit tripod socket
- option to fix tripod legs to ground with stakes

Lightweight, portable, strong, adjustable working height, adjustable for small launch angles.
This was low cost for me because I already had the tripod...may not suit others...

Thanks for all the input, guys.

In the end I went with a Mantis. My birthday's coming up and I had nothing else urgent on my wishlist so I asked for that.

I've heard stories that the legs/leg holders can crack & break over time, so this info will be useful if that time ever comes

Bones organised the launchpad for me and he's doing me a very good deal. In fact, I've no idea how he's managed it so cheap and I'm stoked. So if you ever need something that's not on his website, it doesn't hurt to give him an email because he'll let you know right away whether he can help out at all.

That's not to take anything away from the other club sponsors. I second the comment from RocketBall that it would be good to know what Bergs do & don't have... it so easy when a company has a website & does mail orders I'm a lazy bum I can't even pick up the phone

I saw Peter Berg on the weekend, who said that he was expecting to have an Initiator starter set in stock by the end of this week. Unfortunately, these aren't big movers, so you can't expect hobby shops to hold a lot of stock of these

Quoted from wolflair

or if you can weld the below one is nice maybe abit big just yet

I just noticed on this one, look at the size of the pivot bolt

Swinging a rail and support beam of that length on a bolt that size is a bit risky (I would use at least a half inch bolt on it). The one he's got could be titanium though.

If it sheared after a couple of goes (really highly likely looking at it), its an easy fix, but not on the range.

I also noticed that when the rail is upright, what stops it tipping forward?

Quoted from kryten

I saw Peter Berg on the weekend, who said that he was expecting to have an Initiator starter set in stock by the end of this week. Unfortunately, these aren't big movers, so you can't expect hobby shops to hold a lot of stock of these

Ace Hobbies in Midland have one I think. But from memory he wants about $250 for it (Rocket and pad only)

Quoted from Buzzard

I also noticed that when the rail is upright, what stops it tipping forward?

i know you build it and we will find out lol

If we need one, we can build one.

Do we need one?