Launch Systems and Components

R.A.T.T. Works Rail Stops are made out of 6061 T-6 aluminum and steel. Easy to use and adjust; will hold up to a 200 pound rocket; great for hybrids and solids. Parts include precision machined anodized Rail Stop, steel fasteners and hex key.

Only $10.61

New Design!

Fits any existing pad that accepts a 1/2" rod!!

The secret weapon for high altitude flights!!

Put aside those drag-inducing launch lugs and rail guides and preserve the laminar flow of your rocket. Just slide your rocket inside the towers and let 'er rip!

Stainless-steel base with a stainless 1/2” attachment rod. Towers are now made of Extreme Rails! Lighter, less whip.

As always, fits on ANY launch pad that accepts a 1/2" rod. Ideal for club use.

Standard Tower - stainless steel base with three rail towers - 4 feet long - $219.55
Recommended for model rockets all the way to 3" diameter high power (and some light and medium length rockets, up to 4" diameter)

Long Tower - stainless steel base with three rail towers - 7 feet long - $269.85
Recommended for heavy rockets that are long, and are 4" diameter plus.

Lower frontal drag than rail buttons!!

Rail launch systems are great. In our view, they beat the old launch rods hands down. But frankly it can be a pain to attach those little guides onto your rocket. Just screwing them into the bodytube won't work . You usually have to contrive some backing plate or try to screw into a centering ring - - and that can be a very thin target to hit! NOT ANY MORE. Now attaching guide rails is a snap with Acme's new conformal rail guide. They just glue onto the tube. That's it, just like the conformal lugs. What's more, these conformal guides have less frontal area than standard buttons, and that means less drag for your rocket.

1) Acme rail guides are 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum; no flimsy urethane foam to wear out
2) The base of Acme rail guides have a conformal radius that matches exactly to the airframe tube. Other brands do NOT.
3) Acme rail guides are very low priced.
4) Acme rail guides do not require screws. Screws require backing inside the rocket which can hang up cords and chutes.

Click here for detailed specifications (in Adobe .pdf format)

ACME Conformal® Rail Guides

Airframe Size Price

38mm $3.40 /pair

54mm $3.40 /pair

38mm w/ fin can $3.61 /pair

54mm w/ fin can $3.61 /pair

3.00" $3.40 /pair

3.90" $3.40 /pair

6.00" $3.40 /pair

7.50" $3.40 /pair

Compatible with Extreme rail, sold below

ACME Conformal© Launch Lugs

Made of high strength aluminum
Conforms to the shape of the airframe tube
Available in different several sizes

Airframe Size Launch Rod Size Price

38mm 1/4" $3.19 /pair

54mm 1/4" $3.19 /pair

54mm 3/8" $3.19 /pair

3.0" 3/8" $3.19 /pair

3.0" 1/2" $3.19 /pair

3.9" 1/2" $3.19 /pair

3.9" 3/4" $1.06 /pair

6.0" 3/4" $0.52 /pair

7.51" 3/4" $0.52 /pair

38mmFC (Offset for Fin Can) 1/4" $3.40 /pair

54mmFC (Offset for Fin Can) 1/4" $3.40 /pair

JB Weld

Giant Leap Rocketry recommends the use of JB Weld for Slimline retention systems and for Acme rail guides and lugs. It's comes in two parts and when mixed in equal amounts, it turns hard as steel. It has a heat rating of 500F (compared to about 150 F for most epoxies).
$5.85

Standard Extreme Launch Rail
Only $61.78 per 6' section!
Comes with a pad adapter to fit any launch pad that accepts a 1/2" rod.
100% compatible with Black Sky rail guides, but...

STRONGER: The Extreme Rail is 1" by 1" thick (compared to 1/2" by 1/2").
EASIER TO USE: The extreme Rail is a single piece 6 feet long - not a series of 2 foot sections.
STURDIER: It has a 1/2" rod mount (compared to 3/8") and a heavy channel to mount to any pad that accepts a 1/2" rod.
SAFER: Because of its smooth single-piece design, there's no chance of snagging a rocket like there is on rails that are sectioned together.
MORE CONVENIENT: The Extreme Rail has one channel on each of its four sides! So, if one channel is plugged with reidue, you don't have to stop and clean out the rail in the middle of launch day. Just use another channel (or another, or another...) until its convenient to clean the whole rail. (HINT: TEFLON^® spray prior to use makes post-launch cleanup a breeze.)
COMPATIBLE: It is compatible with Black Sky rail guides,. So, if you've installed the Black Sky guides on your rocket, you're good to go!
COOL: We know, looks dont matter to you. But just in case...this is one bad-ass lookin' rail!!
LESS MONEY: It's just $52.95 for a six foot section (compared to $60.00).
EXTEND YOUR RAIL BY 4 FEET! Extension and 3 joiner plates $56.49
Pad Adapter $25.57
The extreme rail comes included with the pad adapter. But if you already have an extreme rail, you can purchase the pad adapter separately (this allows the rail to be attached to any standard high power launch pad that accepts a 1/2" Rod.)

HEAVY Extreme Launch Rail
Standard size rail slots, but for heavier rockets!
Tested to 70 LBS. This accepts the same rail guides as the standard extreme above (and the blacksky rail), but is 10 feet long, and comes with a strong reinforcing spine for extra strength. . Fits on any pad that takes a 1/2" rod. I used this rail on my 55 lbs hybrid level-3 project. Note: this is not the larger rail previously known as the "Senior Extreme" which required large rail guides of a nonstandard size. We no longer carry the senior. The HEAVY EXTREME uses the same rail guides as on the standard extreme but it is meant for heavy rockets. The BIG EXTREME rails were all over the range at LDRS 2002 in Amarillo. They performed flawlessly.

Note: for shipping and transportation purposes, the 10 long Heavy Extreme Rail is made up of a 6’ and 4’ section of rail, reinforced with an 8’ long heavy spine

10' section $153.46
Comes with a pad adapter to fit any launch pad that accepts a 3/4" rod.

LOW DRAG Rail Buttons - - Delrin

New design is machined for dramatically lower drag than standard buttons. Easy to use. Pack of 2 $2.00

P.S. I flew on one of your rails in Ocotillo, California last weekend. Great rail.
John Nistico

This [Rail] is one nice puppy. After looking at the hardware for about two seconds I figured out why this arrived without instructions: if you NEED instructions for this, then you will also need an IQ above 30... Duh! It was worth the wait and I am pleased beyond words. The Extreme Rail is a superb product and an extraordinary value. The rail guides were installed on a booster to check for any tendency to bind when traversing the slot. I am happy to report that the rail guide travel was buttery smooth. Excellent...excellent... excellent. I've only ordered from you a few times but I've never been disappointed. But this rail was seriously understated. Wow!
Respectfully (and a very satisfied customer),
Tom Farrand

"I am impressed with the quality of the components and your service. As soon as I get approval of my Level 3 design I will be ordering additional components."
Dennis McNally
Received tube in GREAT condition. Thanks,
Neil Tarasoff
Thanks for the excellent service and quick turn-around on getting me my merchandise. I'll be shopping with you folks again!
Take care!
Bryan Chuck
Keep up the good work!
Steve Ruane

"TEFLON is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont De Nemours and Company."
"NOMEX is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont De Nemours and Company."
"KEVLAR is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont De Nemours and Company."