I just had an 'Ah Ha!' moment regarding a launch I made in 1984. I built an Estes Cobra-1500. I probably used a C6-7 engine. It only made one flight and it almost took me out. About a second after it cleared the launch rod, it tipped over in mid-air and came right toward me. Once I could see what was happening, I fell backwards and started to crab-walk away as fast as I could. It was a 5' rocket and I just realized my launch rod was woefully inadequate. My family got a good laugh out of it, though. If KZfaq was a thing back then and they had a video to upload, it'd probably have millions of views.

I always greatly enjoy and appreciate Tim's videos ! He shares his knowledge and expertise in a very personable manner. Thanks Tim.

The timing of this video is great. I am a newbie and was just having this question

I have a different reason for wanting to put buttons on my mid-power models: my club field has a mixture of rods and a rail at the mid-power pads, so I want to be able to use the rail when the rods are already loaded. I’ll also keep the 1/4” lugs on them.

The 30mph speed is a good speed for people to keep in mind when they do simulations (or about 40 feet/sec.). If your rocket won't achieve that speed at the end of the rod then it needs a bigger motor. The problem for the beginner is we don't know what size buttons to buy, I've seen 3 different button sizes for sale and it is hard to find someone even at my club who can say definitively what size button is needed for which launch pad. Today what I build I have 1/8" lugs for rockets up to BT60 and C motors. For BT60 and bigger with D and E motors I use 3/16" lugs. Our club has model pads with 36" rods of 1/8" and 3/16" diameter, and mid-power pads with 1/4" rods that are 4' or 6' long. My 4" diameter level 1 rocket that I built long ago has tubular launch lugs. I don't remember the size but maybe 3/8" diameter. My older mid-power rockets have launch lugs for 1/4" diameter rods.