KNIGHT MFG

TLP-24  Model.

The TLP-24 model has officially been discontinued.  The juice just wasn't worth the squeeze on this one.  By the time you've cut, drilled, tapped threads, welded, cleaned, primed, painted, packed and shipped this little pad, you've got just about as much fabrication, painting and shipping time in it as the TLP-42.  Add to this the fact that it ships in a 20x20x6 box at 8 pounds and you've got nearly $50 bucks to ship it to the west coast from South Carolina.  There just isn't enough money in fabricating small, steel launch pads like this without charging a small fortune for them.  And the way most human brains work is, the eyes see a small launch pad and the brain immediately thinks "small price". 

So what I'm doing to replace this model is, I am expanding my DIY launch pad parts, like the Centuri LIA-77 parts kit and the launch rack kit.  What a lot of people don't seem to realize is that there are almost a limitless number of different types and styles of launch pads that you can build using these kits - the rod holders, rod holder pivot mounts and blast deflectors.  So I have designed and prototyped over 20 different small to mid sized wooden base launch pads that are starting to show up on my launch pad site now, knightlaunchpads.com.  Just to give people ideas of what all you can do with them.  It really is almost limitless.  Lots of really, really cool new parts and parts kits will be added to the launch pad website as I can get photos taken and posted.  These steel and machined aluminum parts will allow you to be very creative with how you build your launch pad, in almost any size you want.  I'll have templates of some of my designs on there also, but think of this as the pinewood derby car of the model rocketry world.  In pinewood derby, you buy wheels, axles, weights, various decorative parts, etc. and then cut the car from a block of wood in any design you like.  That's what I'm offering here.  Metal parts that allow you to build the base of the pad any way you want it, from wood easily sourced locally from any lumber store.  And I think the best part about this is two fold:  From your perspective, you'll have a launch pad made just the way you want it.  And from my perspective, you'll find out firsthand and in short order just how much work goes into building a small launch pad, that is if you do a good job.  

So check out the DIY launch pad page at Knight Launch Pads for all the new stuff that will be showing up on a fairly regular basis. 

Our TLP-24-P model shown in yellow.

Our TLP-24-KL model shown in red.

Our TLP-24 model is a neat little tripod made from 3/4" welded square steel tubing.  Holds 1/8" to 1/4" rods, so it's an excellent upgrade over a plastic "E" sized pad.  We offer it in two versions: with a pivoting aluminum rod holder, Model TLP-24-P.  Or with a fixed rod holder and an aluminum kick leg for launch angle adjustment, Model TLP-24-KL.

TLP-24-KL model is $149.99 Free shipping. - Discontinued.

TLP-24-P model is $159.99 Free shipping. - Discontinued. 

(Free shipping is to continental U.S. only.  Extra shipping charges apply to Hawaii and Alaska.)

Kept in primer and painted the color of your choice after receiving payment.  see color choices here.

The TLP-24-P has an aluminum rod holder that pivots in either direction and locks in place with a wing nut.  Holds 1/8" - 1/4" rods.

The TLP-24-KL has a welded steel, fixed rod holder.  Holds 1/8" - 1/4" rods.

Both models are equipped with a thick 14 gauge steel blast deflector that measures 6.5" x 6.5".  Holes are drilled for 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4" rods.  Spare blast deflectors may be purchased for $21.99.

Get an aluminum clamp on rocket perch for $10.99.  Part # RP-1.

Kick leg tightens with a wing nut.

TLP-24-KL model tilted into the wind.

TLP-24-KL model's aluminum kick leg.

Clean, strong welds ensure a lifetime of service.

Doug Hess' Skylab Saturn V on our TLP-24-P.  Good looking rocket, Doug.  

Mike Jarchow's Big Bertha on our TLP-24-P.  

We have a new website dedicated to launch pads,
www.knightlaunchpads.com.  That is where the new products we have been working on will be showing up soon, so check it out.

================================

 TLP-42 TARC Model.

These two TLP-42 pads were built for Visioneering Space of Boise, Idaho.

Our new TLP-42 model tripod launch pad was specifically designed with TARC teams in mind.  It's sized to easily support and launch the size rockets you'll be working with in the TARC program.  It is basically a smaller scaled down version of our larger TLP-60 model below and has the same rail / rod holder and blast deflector used on our folding FLP-36 model, which is also an excellent choice for TARC teams.  It has a 42" circular footprint and comes equipped with a 7 X 9 inch blast deflector.  The three legs are held in place in their sleeves with 5/16 thumb screws and are easily removable for transport and compact storage.  Being a three legged tripod design, the pad will "self-level" itself on uneven ground.  Available in the color of your choice (with pre-payment) from our paint color page. 

TLP-42  $329.99  Free shipping.

(Free shipping is to continental U.S. only.  Extra shipping charges apply to Hawaii and Alaska.) 

Send PayPal payments to:  jamie@knight-mfg.com.

All launch pads are kept in primer and are painted to order in the custom color of your choice after payment is recieved.  Click here for color choices.

We accept PayPal or money orders.  The ONLY way we are set up to take credit card payments is through PayPal. 

The TLP-42's combo rail / rod holder holds both 1 inch 1010 series rails and 1/4" launch rods.  Blast deflectors measure 7 x 9 inches and are made from 14 gauge steel.  Spare blast deflectors may be purchased for $31.99.

Rail holder pivots on a 1/2" hex bolt which tightens in place with our new T-Handle bolt.  Rails and rods are held in place with a 3/8 thumb screw.

The blast deflector is bolted to the mount on the rail holder with a 5/16 hex bolt for a solid connection.

The legs are held in their sleeves with 5/16 thumb screws for fast set-up.

This TLP-42 was built for the Airforce Museum at Wright Patterson Airforce Base.

Jack Matthews' TLP-42.

TLP-42 Hub on the paint rack in purple.

=========================================

TLP-60 "Tank" Model.

Our Level 2 high power launch pad, the TLP-60 Model.  I call it "The Tank", as it's kinda built like one. Geared toward larger sized Level 2 high powered rockets, it has a big 60" diameter circular footprint with removable legs made from new larger
1-1/2" 14 gauge square steel tubing. The central hub that the legs slide into is made from new larger 1-3/4" 14 gauge square steel tubing. Each leg is held in place with a 3/8 thumb screw underneath each sleeve for fast setup and take down. The angled blast deflector is made from 12 gauge steel and measures 10 X 12 inches.  With three legs, it is self leveling and the combo rod / rail holder holds 1/4" through 1/2" launch rods and 1" 1010 series launch rails.  The rod/rail holder pivots on a large 5/8" pivot bolt and tilts down to allow loading rockets. "Pull pin" type bolt locks the rail holder in place in the upright launch position. Plastic plugs in leg ends keep dirt out.  Stout pad for launching larger sized rockets.

TLP-60 $489.99 Free Shipping

(Free shipping is to continental U.S. only.  Extra shipping charges apply to Hawaii and Alaska.)

Stakedown Leg Option add $45.00

 

Send PayPal payments to:  jamie@knight-mfg.com.

All launch pads are kept in primer and are painted to order in the custom color of your choice after payment is recieved.  Click here for color choices.

We accept PayPal or money orders.  The ONLY way we are set up to take credit card payments is through PayPal.  We don't ship until receiving payment.

New "stake down" leg option is available for our TLP-60 model launch pad.  The legs have a welded tab with a hole for 5/16 tent peg spikes in place of the plastic tubing plugs in standard model TLP-60 legs.  (See drawing above)  These tabs allow you to stake down your launch pad for added stability.  You provide the tent pegs, available locally.  Add $45.00 for the stake down tab upgrade.    
 

TLP-60 Review

Gary Cole was nice enough to summarize their club's use of their TLP-60 pad and I want to share that summary here for those of you wondering about the pad's capability and limitations.  I hope that this is helpful.

From Gary... "TLP-60:  We've launched rockets upwards of 20 to 25 pounds from this pad.  We did have one situation where we loaded a very long, heavier rocket (7.5 inch diameter, 40 pounds or so) on this pad, using an adapter to fit a 1515 rail to this pad. The wind was also very strong.  The pad was tipping in the wind and frankly, it was too much rocket for the pad.  We would have possibly staked the legs and it would have worked.  That rocket was ultimately launched on the TLP-72."

Gary Cole and Scott Shaw with our TLP-72 Model.  The TLP-60 can be purchased in the larger TLP-72 version (larger 72" footprint & 1515 rail holder for an additional $50.00.)

Angled blast deflector is made from 12 gauge steel and measures 10 X 12.  It fastens to the rail holder's mounting bracket with a big 1/2" hex bolt.  Twin 3/8 thumb screws hold the rail or rod securely in place in the holder.  Spare blast deflectors may be purchased for $41.99.

The rod/rail holder pivots on large diameter 5/8" pivot bolt and is held in the upright launch position with a threaded pull pin with wingnut. Remove the pull pin to tilt the rail holder down to load your rocket.

Removable legs slide into sleeves and are held in place with 3/8 thumb screws for fast setup and take down.

Knight Mfg decals adorn all of our new launch pads.

Big legs made with 1-1/2" square steel tubing.

Todd Knight's Block O project on an M2000 research motor.  TLP-72 pad built for Tripoli Mid Ohio.

Bryan Sparkman's 32 pound HyperLOC on a TLP-72 pad, ready to go on a research M motor.  

================================

Big QLP-72 "Heavy Metal" model is here! 

Note:  These are custom built when ordered.

We have a new website dedicated to launch pads,
www.knightlaunchpads.com.  That is where the new products we have been working on will be showing up soon, so check it out.

The new QLP-72 "Heavy Metal" model is our new four leggeg 1515 rail pad.  Made using a combination of 2" and 1-3/4" 14 gauge square steel tubing, it's designed to launch large sized level 3 rockets.  A lot of fabrication / welding time and expensive material go into producing these large launch pads. 

QLP-72 $629.99 Free shipping.

Welded stake down tab option, add $60.00.

The base footprint on the QLP-72 measures 72" x 72", making it very stable.  As for a weight limit on this, all I can really tell you is that you're going to have to use your best judgement.  I can tell you that as far as the strength of the frame, I weigh 195 pounds and can stand on the middle of the base and bounce up and down with very minimal flex, so the base is very strong and capable of supporting fairly heavy rockets.

The rail holder pivots on a large 3/4" grade 5 bolt.  A 3/8 pull pin locks it in the upright position.

1/8" thick 11 gauge blast deflector measures 11 x 13.  Spare blast deflectors may be purchased for $47.99.  Rail holder holds 1515 series rails (as seen here) as well as the smaller 1010 rails.

Welded wingnuts underneath the base hold the four legs in place.