• Why should I use a rail?
• How do I install rail buttons?
• What rails are your buttons compatible with?
• Why don't you sell rails?

Rods are just too flexible for the diameters that we use.  This flexibility can affect the trajectory of your rocket. In severe cases a phenomenon called "rod whip" can actually send your rocket in the opposite direction you intended. The geometry and size of the rail makes for a much stiffer structure. This stiffness makes certain your rocket will go where you point it (or if it doesn't, there's another problem).  For some graphic examples of rod whip caught on film, click on the smaller images below.

Rails also simplify pad management.  No longer do you need to manage several different rod diameters. A single Series 1000 compatible rail can typically accommodate any size rocket from D impulse to K impulse.

This may seem like a simple question, and some folks will give you a simple answer. However, it's my personal belief that the simple answer is "it depends." For my complete thoughts (and the thoughts of others) check out the Articles section.

Series 1000 buttons are known to be compatible with the following rails/extrusions:

• "1010" extrusion by 80/20 (See DIY Rail article)
• "Standard" and "HPR" rails by BlackSky
• "Extreme" and "Heavy Extreme" rails by Giant Leap Rocketry
• 1" rail by X-Rockets

Series 1500 buttons are known to be compatible with the following rails/extrusions:

• "1515" extrusion by 80/20 (See DIY Rail article)
• 1.5" rail by X-Rockets

Please let me know if you find other rails or extrusions that are compatible with either series of buttons. (No guessing, please.)

I would love to be a low-cost one-stop shopping resource for all things rails, especially if it meant getting more people to use rails. However, there's no way I could offer rails anywhere as cheap as other vendors, especially given the low cost of the 80/20 products. I am considering selling pad adapter hardware for the 80/20 rails and have had a few prototypes built. Tentative pricing for the "1010" rail adapter is around $20 plus shipping. If you'd be interested in such a product please drop me a note.