Tube couplers are hollow cylinders that are used to join two high-power tubes together so you can make longer rockets. In other words, you can take two shorter tubes, and make a really long one by slipping a tube coupler inside them where the ends meet.
The LOC-Precision tube couplers are heavy duty! They are thick-walled paper tubes that will can take the pounding of high power rocket motors. For even stronger couplers, check out the stiffy inserts.
Made from ordinary kraft paper, they are lighter in weight than couplers made from other exotic materials like Blue Tube or fiberglass.
LOC Tube Couplers
Coupler Size
P/N
Qty/
Pack
Price
LOC
Designation
I.D.
(in)
O.D.
(in)
Length
(in)
Wt
(g)
Material
Place Order
38mm
13156
1
$1.85
TC-1.52
1.398
1.520
4.0
9.3
Kraft Paper
Sorry,
Back-ordered
(2/3/12)
54mm
13158
1
$2.05
TC-2.14
2.017
2.138
6.0
29.1
Kraft Paper
2.56"
13160
1
$2.85
TC-2.56
2.479
2.555
6.0
23.5
Kraft Paper
75mm (3.00")
13162
1
$3.75
TC-3.00
2.88
2.990
6.0
37.8
Kraft Paper
98mm
13164
1
$4.50
TC-3.90
3.814
3.884
6.0
32.4
Kraft Paper
5.38"
13166
1
$8.25
TC-5.38
5.272
5.372
11.0
111.4
Kraft Paper
7.51"
13168
1
$11.45*
TC-7.51
7.398
7.508
15.0
248.0
Kraft Paper
1. These couplers will fit the standard size high power tubes, such as those by LOC and the Blue Tubes. We know that it an be confusing to get the right size parts for your project, so if you need any help, please don't hesitate to give us a call. We'll be happy to help make your project a huge success.
2. Need something a little smaller and lighter for low or mid-power rockets? Visit our body tubes and couplers pages.
3. 3" LOC tube coupler P/N #13162 will not fit inside the Apogee 3" airframe tube P/N #10202.
4. *Note: There is a $2.00 freight surcharge due to the large size of the shipping carton, and the additional cost of postage. Additional shipping fees may apply for Hawaii, Alaska and US Protectorates and international orders.
Easy To Glue, And Cheaper Than Other Couplers
On thing you'll like about these couplers is that you can use ordinary wood glue when joining tubes together. That's right, because they are paper, wood glue or white glue works just fine. Think about how this will keep down the cost of your project and speed up the assembly time.
Is ordinary wood glue strong enough for high power rockets? That is a great question. But think of how the tubes are constructed in the first place. They are made from long strips of paper that are spiral wrapped to make a tube. Each layer of paper is simply glued down to the layer beneath it.
If you use wood glue to join kraft-paper tubes, you aren't doing anything different than what was used to originally make the tube by the manufacturer. The joint will be just as strong as the tube itself.
But in case you're wondering, you can use epoxy on these tubes too. It does work. And if you're using these LOC couplers to join two Blue Tubes together, then we would recommend an epoxy adhesive.
Another use for tube couplers is to make electronics bays. These couplers, because they fit so well in the LOC size tubes are perfect if you want to build one from scratch.
"Stiffy" Internal Liners For Couplers
"Stiffy" internal liners are tubes are used to greatly increase the strength of the LOC hi-power tube couplers (shown above). They are used mostly on tubes where exceptionally high strength is needed, such as rockets that are intended for supersonic flights.
They are also used to make bulkhead stops inside of electronics bays on high power rockets.
These couplers are triple thick compared to the coupler tubes they fit into. Additionally, they are specifically created using rough paper so that glue and epoxy will both grip them tight and form a indestructible bond.
Use the chart below to order the "Stiffy" liner tubes for your next project.
LOC Stiffy Couplers
Product
P/N
Qty/
Pack
Price
LOC
Designation
I.D.
(in)
O.D.
(in)
Length
(in)
Wt
(g)
Material
Place Order
2.14" Stiffy
13170
1
$4.45
STC-2.14
1.755
2.000
6.0
41.7
Kraft Paper
2.56" Stiffy
13171
1
$4.85
STC-2.56
2.245
2.478
6.0
50.2
Kraft Paper
3.00" Stiffy
13172
1
$5.25
STC-3.00
2.625
2.878
6.0
60.8
Kraft Paper
3.90" Stiffy
13173
1
$6.25
STC-3.90
3.555
3.785
6.0
74.9
Kraft Paper
5.38" Stiffy
13174
1
$9.95
STC-5.38
4.980
5.240
11.0
220.7
Kraft Paper
7.51" Stiffy
13175
1
$15.50*
STC-7.51
6.995
7.375
15.0
676
Kraft Paper
1. These couplers will fit the standard size high power tubes, such as those by LOC and the Blue Tubes. We know that it an be confusing to get the right size parts for your project, so if you need any help, please don't hesitate to give us a call. We'll be happy to help make your project a huge success.
2. Need something a little smaller and lighter for low or mid-power rockets? Visit our body tubes and couplers pages.
3. *Note: There is a $2.00 freight surcharge due to the large size of the shipping carton, and the additional cost of postage. Additional shipping fees may apply for Hawaii, Alaska and US Protectorates and international orders.
Related Items and Optional Accessories That Go Great With These Couplers:
These are high power nose cones that fit both the LOC kraft-paper tubes, as well as the Blue Tubes. The tubes are made out of Polypropylene plastic or fiberglass, which makes them very durable so they'll take the abuse of any high power motor you care to put behind them.
These tubes from LOC Precision are perfect if you are just getting started in high power rocketry and are on a budget. Made from paper, they are easy to cut, sand, glue, and paint. They will allow you to experiment with your own designs and construction techniques without putting you in debt.
While they cost a bit more than the paper tubes, Blue Tube is durable alternative to those phenolic and carbon-fiber tubes. Used by the military in tank ammunition, this material is abrasive resistant and will not crack. They are great for high power rockets where you need super durability.
To go along with the Blue Tubes, here are the couplers that can join them together to make longer rockets. These will also fit the standard size LOC tubes, and those other high power manufacturers that make the tubes to standard sizes.
These payload bays from Always Ready Rocketry fit most of the standard size Blue Tube, as well as tubes from LOC Precision. They are designed to hold the avionics or electronics that control the deployment of the parachutes in the rockets. It is a complete kit, all you have to do is supply the electronic payload to control when the ejection charges fire.
These adapters allow you to put a smaller diameter motor into a rocket that has a motor mount tube up to two sizes larger. This is a great way to save money by putting a smaller motor in a big rocket.
Rail Buttons are used in place of launch lugs on larger rockets. The reason is that big rockets need a stiffer launcher so they don't sway around in breezy conditions. A launch rail is much stiffer than a circular rod, and therefore are used on big rockets so they launch safely and higher into the sky.
Want to hold in your rocket engines securely without using tape or other unsightly methods? Then they Aero Pack retention system may be what you're looking for. There is a retainer available for all the common high power tube sizes that we carry (LOC, Blue Tube, and Fiberglass), as well as for the mid and high-power rocket kits on this web site.
These engine retainers hold reloadable rocket motors securely in the model so they can't be kicked out by a strong ejection charge. These are much less expensive than other engine retainers, and can be retrofitted onto rockets that are already constructed and ready to fly. They also work great on flat-bottom rockets where the engine tube is flush with the centering ring.
SkyAngle parachutes were designed and constructed specifically to handle the extra stress of high power rockets. Because of the extra weight of the bigger rockets, they have more than their share of parachute malfunctions. The SkyAngle parachutes are more durable, and bring your big rockets down slower.
A deployment bag is a device to help ensure that parachute inflates properly and in the correct order. It forces the lines to completely stretch out first, and then the canopy is released so that it can properly inflate. It also minimizes the loads on the suspension lines to prevent tears, and it gives additional protection from the heat of the ejection charges. If you're doing high power rockets, you really need this extra insurance to make your project a success.
The most extensive book ever written about "how to build LARGE high power rockets." Recommended for all modelers getting ready to take a jump to those bigger and more powerful rocket engines. It takes you step-by-step in the process of how to prepare for Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 high power certification.
Actual Customer Comment:
"Your web site is informative and your products are excellent. I just wish I had more time to spend on rocketry." -- Al deGroot
We're
Here To Help You
Our Tel: 719-535-9335
(Talk to a real person)
Our Fax: 719-534-9050
Skype Chat:
(Online Tech Support - Voice/video available upon request)
Hours of Operation:
8:30am - 5.00pm, M-F
Mountain Time Zone
After Hours, Please
E-mail
Apogee Components, Inc.
3355 Fillmore Ridge Hts.
Colorado Springs, CO 80907 USA MAP
If you
are not happy with the product
you receive from Apogee Components,
return it to us within 60 days for a replacement,
full refund, or merchandise
credit -- Your Choice! If
you have any other questions,
please call us at 719-535-9335
or contact us by email
us. Our goal is that
you are 100% delighted with
your order.
**Software
Excluded
"Speedy
Shipping" Guarantee:
If you place your
order by 2 p.m. (Mountain Time Zone,
USA), we'll ship your order out that
SAME day. See Shipping
rates for exclusions.
Shipping
and Handling Fees:
To estimate the shipping
charges, please see our shipping
information page. This page also
explains how items are shipped, as well
as offering you additional shipping options.