Rowes Retainers - Retainer (38mm Cone) {Component}

Rowes Retainers Retainer (38mm Cone)

Rowes Retainers - Retainer (38mm Cone) {Component}

Contributed by Scott Simka

Manufacturer:

(by Scott Simka - 12/01/03)

Back End Brief:
38mm, Black Anodized Finish, Motor Casing Retainer. Perfect for Pro38's.

Construction:
Nicely machined motor retainer. Very easy to install. Definitely increases the "WOW" factor of any rocket!

After purchasing a BSD Diablo, and finding a review utilizing a "Rowe's Retainer" on that rocket, I said "I gotta have it!!" I was able to track a source of Rowe's Retainers from Chad Ellis thru the ROL forums.

I got the Retainer for $30.

After winning the "Vertex" rocket, built by Chuck Sackett of "Fat Cat Rocketry" in my club's raffle: (Florida Spacemodeling-Tripoli West Palm) I decided to fly the Vertex with the Rowe's Tailcone Retainer and my first Pro38 motor.

After placing the new motor into the mount, and placing the retainer on top, the holes were marked, drilled and then the anchors were screwed in.

The machine screws allow the tailcone to be secured very tightly.

Side View On the Pro side, the tailcone looks way coool! It's really easy to use! It can be transferred from rocket to rocket with the only need being more anchors. It worked like a charm too.

On the Con side, the aluminum seems thin. If you landed in the grass, as I did, there wouldn't be a scratch. If you landed on a rock, your retainer would be dented and may not be repairable. Also, you're only issued 1 set of anchors. One more thing, if England was the only place to get it, I'd probably do without it.

Chad Ellis was eager for referrals so if you email me directly and I can give you his address.

Full Pic Finishing:
As stated before, it looks really cool. See my pix. The comments I heard were: "Wow, that's a neat retainer" and "Where'd you get that" and "That's a perfect retainer for that rocket".

Flight:
Motor I used was a 2 grain Pro38. The retainer remained nice and tight.

I was unable to get the chrome 38mm Tailcone (I really wanted that one) but despite that, the only things I'd change are: adding another set of anchors and perhaps making them just a little thicker.

Also, to the best of my knowledge, you can't use a 29mm motor if you've only got a 38mm Rowe's retainer.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

Comments:

M.H.S (December 23, 2003)

"Also, to the best of my knowledge, you can't use a 29mm motor if you've only got a 38mm Rowe's retainer." If you have a standard 29mm retainer, it nests inside the 38mm coned retainer (or the standard 38mm retainer) so that you can use a 29mm motor if you've only got a 38mm Rowe's retainer. If you dont want to use the other retainer, cut a ring of the right dimensions out of a suitable metal and use it to fit over the aft closure of the 29mm casing.

C.R. (December 24, 2003)

A good review. Thanks. I would like to point out that the retainer is the thickness it is due to weight! I could make it thicker but then you would have to use more nose weight. (Feedback please) I sell the screws and inserts, so if you want more, just let me know. You could always use self tap screws?. As to the 29mm remark. Yes you can use 29mm motors with the 38mm retainer, you just need a 29mm Rowes Retainer, this just drops into the 38mm and uses the same screw holes for the 38mm. Colin Rowe

Post a Comment