All Rocketry Blogs

Rocket Dungeon: Long Q2G2 igniters are shipping (2009-11-18)

Quest just announced the new 8" Q2G2 igniters are now shipping.  This past weekend, I received first hand confirmation that the original short lead Q2G2s will ignite smaller AeroTech Hobbyline ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: MMX Igniter Installation (2010-07-24)

Our local NAR Section president, Brian Coyle , first showed me how to use toothpicks to hold MMX igniters in place. They fit easily into the small MMX nozzles and also ended up being a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Cheap Igniter Case (2010-08-12)

I'd read on a forum where someone had found a small plastic case in the fishing department of a sporting goods store. He used it to carry extra igniters to the launch racks.   Not a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: MMX Igniter on a Square Toothpick (2010-08-21)

Last night, when I was prepping some models for today's launch, I switched out an MMX engine into another rocket. Before pulling the engine, I gently removed the MMX igniter . I tried to ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: MMX Igniter / Toothpick Debate (2010-09-22)

Yesterday, there was a good discussion on The Rocketry Forum ( TRF , click HERE , post 12 ) about toothpick / igniter retention in MMX engine nozzles. Apparently , pushing a round toothpick in a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: The Igniter That Refuses To Die! (2010-10-17)

Here it is - the IGNITER THAT REFUSES TO DIE! We're getting close to Halloween, what did you expect? Today marks the tenth MMX launch on this igniter. The only way I break these things ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Budget Igniters (2010-11-10)

I fly on a budget and try to save money where I can. I think everyone agrees, igniter prices are too high. Quest Q2G2 ingiters are now $7.19 for six or $1.20 each! Estes Igniters are $5.99 for six ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Igniter and Micro Clip Tips (2011-04-01)

Before igniters had thin bridge wires, you had to connect micro clips as close to the nozzle as possible. From the 1969 Estes catalog (Yellow Pages) you can almost read the words "Attach clips ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Sure Shot Igniter Patent (2011-06-17)

Irv Wait from Rocket Development Company developed this igniter that went on to become the Centuri Sure-Shot igniter. it was filed in 1965 and approved in 1969. The illustration at the top / middle ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Igniter Install TIP (2012-06-04)

Some of you may know about and already practice this. When installing an igniter, (before the plastic plug) I'll usually turn the wires away from the launch lug. On minimum diameter models, the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Odd-Ball Igniter TIP (2012-07-09)

Just when you think you've got it all figured out - I had a hard time connecting up the clips to the engine sitting up inside my Odd'l Rockets 13mm UP! Cup at a recent launch.   ... [Read More]

RocketReviews.com Blog: Testing the Estes Pro Series II Igniters (2012-07-22)

There have been many online reports of people having problems using Estes’s new Pro Series II igniters to light composite motors such as the new motors from Estes. Some people have even ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Bare Nichrome Igniter Coat - TIP (2012-11-15)

On TRF someone asked how to make LPR igniters. StepanJ gave a link to an article he wrote for the MAKE Magazine website: http://makeprojects.com/Project/Mode...1#.UJXnSXmVut8 I'd never made an ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest Q2G2 Igniter Ideas (2013-05-11)

A forum post mentioned that some have had trouble using the straw with the newer Quest Q2G2 igniters. The Quest instructions say to install the igniter in the nozzle and then press the straw ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Make Your Own Igniters (2013-08-18)

In MAKE Magazine, Stefan Jones did a great pictorial article on LPR igniter making. http://makezine.com/projects/model-rocket-igniters/ From  http://jacobs-online.biz/nichrome_wire.htm You ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Igniter Patent, 1968 (2014-01-15)

I found this on Wayne Hill's Rocketry Blog HERE The patent for Vern Estes improved igniter. HERE When I started flying rockets in 1969 we would still find motors tubes supplied with bare wire ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Making Old School Igniters Part 1 (2014-02-06)

Here's the 32 gauge nichrome I bought from Jacobs: http://jacobs-online.biz/nichrome_wire.htm 100 feet for $6.00! Notice the wire end is taped down to the face of the spool. Trust me, tape down ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Making Old School Igniters Part 2 (2014-02-07)

With the 1" tail to the left - Wrap the nichrome around the paper clip wire so you have three loops. Try to make them even and close together. Don't get frustrated, it takes a few tries to get it ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Question About Estes Starter Igniters (2014-06-09)

From TRF, A post and question from member PhlAsh, "I regularly fly a Sunward Eruption that was given to No2son, who doesn't have time for rockets now. The rocket takes 4 18mm motors, so ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Sure Shot Igniters, Part 1 (2014-12-09)

Lonnie B. found a large supply of old engines and built models on Craig's list. At the last Orlando R.O.C.K. launch he gave me some Centuri Sure Shot igniters. I told him I would put them up on ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Sure Shot Igniters, Part 2 (2014-12-10)

In 1974 Centuri redesigned the Sure Shots into the Sure Shot "Dots". These were simpler to assemble than the previous versions. Wrap the nichrome wire around the "igniter stick", bend the stick ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Older Blue Igniter (2014-12-11)

The first Estes igniters I remember seeing had a blue dip coating. All the old igniters I have left have (the later) brown coating. The dip was never as smooth as the catalog drawings. There were ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Igniter Placement Tip (2014-12-27)

When setting an igniter in an engine, try this: Set the igniter wires away from the launch lug position. It's simply easier to connect up the clips when the igniter ends are away from the launch ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: More Reliable Igniter Practice (2015-01-10)

I still see it a club launches - micro clips connected to the ends of straight igniter wires. Why not bend the wire ends in a "U" shape? You'll get twice the micro clip contact and more reliable ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Q2G2 Igniters Available Again? (2015-01-23)

Quest has all the engine bulk packs in stock with the Q2G2 igniters. Starter sets (Quest launchers are in stock) are also listed. CLICK HERE Separate six packs of the Q2G2 igniters are not yet ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: New Starter (Igniter) (2015-02-15)

I've been avoiding using the new Estes Starters. When I buy engines at Hobby Lobby (with the 40% off coupon) I look for older engine packages with the black tipped, pyrogen igniters. As those are ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: "Starters" (Igniters) In Each Engine Package? Part 2 (2015-06-24)

Years back Estes did package four NWI-1 igniters in a 18mm three engine package. These NWI-1 (blue or brown coated) igniters were better than bare nichome but not as reliable as the newer Starter ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: 3 or 4 "Starters" (Igniters) In Each Engine Package? Part 1 (2015-06-24)

From YORF, I had an interesting exchange with Fred Shector: My first post: All of the recent engine packages I've purchased now have the clear tip starters. I've been using those at the club ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Still More Igniter Tips (2015-07-07)

For me, sometimes the paper retaining tape on Estes igniters is too far down the wires. On the left is the igniter right out of the package. The inset picture shows the paper slid about 1/8" up ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Old Quest Tiger Tail Igniter (2015-07-20)

I bought some of the older Quest German made engines last year. Some of them came with the "Tiger Tail" igniters. I made up this post to help if you ever run across one of these OOP igniters. The ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Igniter Coat Testing (2015-08-21)

I've mentioned this in a post before. My supply of older (black pyrogen coated) Estes igniters is running low! Time to revisit lacquer coating the new Estes Starters. While it's not an actual ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quickburst LPR Igniter Dip Part 1 (2015-09-04)

Nobody seems to be happy with the new Estes "Starter" igniters. They do work, but it seems you hold the launch button down longer for ignition. I've been experimenting with lacquer nail polish dips ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quickburst LPR Igniter Dip Part 2 (2015-09-06)

I have quite a few Estes Starter igniters and even more Quest MMX (bare nichrome) igniters. On the right is the Estes Starter before and the inset pic shows it after the dip. Here's a few ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: A Comment About Starter Igniters (2015-09-15)

A comment from the blog post "Question About "Starter" Igniters" from June 9, 2014 To see the original post: CLICK HERE Scott September 12, 2015 at 9:46 PM We had some problems with the ... [Read More]

Rocket N00b: Igniter Tip - Q2G2s Keep Falling Out? (2015-09-18)

In May, I went to launch some rockets with Chad. I took along several I'd built but never flown before. It was breezy, and I lost a few. Against my better judgment, I put the Quest Quadrunner on the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Another Igniter Dip Source (2015-09-30)

On YORF, LeeR brought up igniter dip from FireFox: To go to the Firefox website,   CLICK HERE Scroll down a bit and look for " SECPLEL " in green color. Now you can make electric igniters that ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: 18mm Igniter Standoff? (2015-11-02)

If you've launched any Micromaxx rockets you know how to install the igniter. You push in the bare wire igniter and use a toothpick to hold it in place. You don't shove the toothpick in, you simply ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: DIY Igniter Coating (2016-04-03)

From the NAR Facebook page, Steve Taylor writes: "After 15 failed igniters yesterday, they are getting the FFFF treatment. Funny how they work like the old igniters with the black tips now. I hope ... [Read More]

Rocket N00b: The Current State of Quest Q2G2 Igniters (2016-08-22)

Yesterday on The Rocketry Forum, on the subject of the Quest Q2G2 model rocket igniter, someone asked "Why is it so hard to get these things now... is this an Aerotech thing or what ??" The Q2G2, ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Upgrading Estes "Starter" Igniters, Part 1 TIP (2018-08-03)

I noticed a delay and an occasional misfire using the newer Estes "Starter" Igniters. My schoolyard launch controller is a typical 6 volt Estes system. Ignition was slower, almost like using bare ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Upgrading Estes "Starter" Igniters, Part 2, TIP (2018-08-04)

Roll the glued starter in the loose black powder. Go light, it's easy to pick up too much powder in the glue. Turn over the igniter and repeat. While the glue is still wet, form the tip with your ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes "Starter" Igniter Upgrade - Update (2018-08-31)

A while back I started upgrading the clear tip Estes Starter Igniters using Beacon Fabri-Tac glue and 4F black powder. Many have commented that the igniter treatment has helped them have quicker, ... [Read More]

Beyond Blue Aerospace: Hybrid Rocket Ignition -Mixture Testing (2019-06-12)

Testing various mixtures to determine the best combination to use for igniting our hybrid rocket engines. Here is a short video demonstrating ... [Read More]

Beyond Blue Aerospace: A Reusable & Reliable Igniter! (2019-06-14)

This igniter replaces the unreliable standard model rocket igniters and sits on the ground beside your rocket. The igniter is used in ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: NARCON Announcement About Estes Starters - (2020-03-10)

Yesterday on Y.O.R.F., Gus (Steve) posted: "Oh, I forgot! One of the biggest Estes announcements at NARCON was that Estes will be releasing NEW IGNITERS ("starters") !!!!! No details as to when, but ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Old MicroMaxx Igniter? (2020-04-22)

For whatever reason, I dipped all my MicroMaxx (MMX) igniters to be used in 18mm engines. I can't find my spool of nichrome wire. I did have some old, original MMX igniters. These igniters ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Q-Jet Igniter Installation Tip (2020-11-06)

The pyrogen tips on the Q-jet First Fire Micro Igniters are delicate. Go easy with them! With each engine you get one 4" long igniter. They are longer than what you might be used to - The ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: New, Improved Estes Starters? (2020-12-02)

Estes sent me some of the new Uupcoming "more energetic" starter (igniters) to test. I brought some of the new Starters to the L.A.S.E.R. group launch on October 18. One pair (two igniters joined ... [Read More]