BLUE MOUNTAIN ROCKETEERS DISCUSSION FORUM

Would like some opinions/advice from those of you having experience with PML piston ejection systems.

I have several PML rocket vehicles in my fleet. All of them are the old phenolic airframes, and they have served me well. I never really trusted the PML piston ejection system, as I have heard too many "horror" stories about them not working, jamming, hard to maintain, etc. So up until now, all of my PML vehicles have been built sans the piston ejection system.

At Blue Mountain Blast, I purchased a PML Tiny Pterydactyl from SRNC. I've been wanting one for a long time, and finally decided to treat myself to a new rocket (like I REALLY need one with 350+ already in my fleet!)

Anyway, nice, smooth Quantum Tube. I'm toying with the idea of biting the bullet and trying the piston ejection system with this one.

Ideas? Tips? Suggestions? Comments?

I use them until they break. They do require maintenance though, you MUST clean the tube and piston prior to the next flight. If you keep them clean and moving smoothly, I think the can be reliable.

I think the best advise I've gotten on the piston system is to sand the piston to fit on a COLD day, or even put it in the freezer. The quantum tube and phenolic will expand/shrink at different rates. At cold temps the quantum tube is going to shrink more than the phenolic, and expand more at high temps. So if you sand the piston to fit when its cold, it'll always fit.