Hi-Power Airframe Tubes From LOC-Precision

LOC-Precision is seen as the first manufacturer of high power components, and they set the dimensions for high-power tube sizes that everyone copies. They also set a the standard for quality that continues to today.

The first thing you'll notice about these tubes is how beefy the wall thickness is. These ain't no lightweight and delicate tubes. They were sized to take a those bigger motors.

They are made from quality "kraft paper," the brown stuff that makes for great tubes. Since they are paper, they are easy to cut, easy to glue, and easy to paint. The best thing is that kraft paper is cheaper than other exotic materials.

LOC tubes
These tubes are perfect if you are just getting started in high power rocketry and you are on a budget. They will allow you to experiment with your own designs and construction techniques without putting you in debt.

LOC Tubes

Product P/N Qty/
Pack
Price LOC
Designation
I.D.
(in)
O.D.
(in)
Length
(in)
Wt
(g)
Place Order
Tube 29mm MMT 11004 1 $4.75 BT-1.14 /
MMT-1.14
1.140 1.210 34.0 68
Tube 38mm 11005 1 $6.25 BT-1.52 /
MMT-1.52
1.525 1.635 34.0 118
Tube 54mm 11010 1 $7.35 BT-2.14 /
MMT-2.14
2.140 2.260 34.0 192
Tube 2.56"
(63mm)
11013 1 $6.25 BT-2.56 2.560 2.630 34.0 158
Tube 3.00" 11017 1 $8.35 BT-3.00 3.000 3.100 34.0 226
Tube 75mm MMT 11018 1 $14.00 MMTHD-3.00 3.000 3.162* 34.0 392
Tube 3.9" 11021 1 $10.45 BT-3.90 3.900 4.000 34.0 298
Tube 98 MMT 11022 1 $16.95 MMTHD-4.00 3.900 4.020 34.0 508
Tube 5.38" 11025 1 $35.01 BT-5.38 5.380 5.540 42.0 784
Tube 7.51"
(2x30" tubes + coupler)
11027 1 $55.95 BT-7.51 7.515 7.675 60.0 1734

1. Dimensions may vary very slightly

2. Due to the length of these tubes, there is a $2.00 shipping premium PER TUBE added to your total to cover the extra long box and additional freight charges. For international and US protectorates, the premium is $13 and can be modified depending on items and quantity.

3. International Customers: Due to the length of the tubes, we can only ship to a few countries, because of postal regulations. For a list of countries that we can ship to, click here.

4. Looking for couplers to match? Visit the High Power Coupler page.

5. Want something a bit more durable? Visit the Blue Tube page.

6. Need something a little lighter for low or mid-power rockets? Visit our body tubes page.

*Updated diameter.


Frequently Asked Questions about LOC Tubes

Q. Are LOC Tubes as good as other tubes?

A. Every tube material has its advantages and disadvantages. The good thing about the LOC tubes is that they are cheaper than other materials. This allows you to get your feet wet as you dip into the high-power rocketry pool. They are also easy to cut, shape, sand, glue, and paint.

The downside of kraft-paper tubes is that they aren't as strong as the newer materials like Blue Tube and Fiberglass Tubes. But it really depends on your project. If you are using some low-to-medium thrust motors, then paper is just fine.
On the other hand, if you are planning on a minimum diameter rocket that will go supersonic, then you may want to switch to another type of tube. Another alternative is to put a layer of fiberglass cloth over the outer surface to get the necessary strength. This is probably cheaper than the exotic materials too.
The size of the big LOC tubes

Q. I live out of the USA - Can you ship to me?

A. We can ship LOC TUBES to the following countries: Canada, Hong Kong, Andorra, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Great Britain & Northern Ireland, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macao, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican City

Q. What nose cones can I use with the LOC TUBES?

A. The Standard LOC Nose Cones fit near perfectly on the LOC Tubes.

Related Items and Optional Accessories That Go Great With These Tubes:
High Power Nose Cones

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.

High Power Nose Cones
Tube Couplers For Large Diameter Rockets

These regular Kraft-paper couplers fit the same tubes as the Blue Tube Couplers. So if we're out of a size of the Blue Coupler you need, this could be an alternative you may want to consider.

Tube Couplers for High Power Rockets
Large Diameter Paper Airframe Tubes

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.

LOC paper tubes

Blue Tubes

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.

Blue Tubes
Electronics Bays

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.

Payload Bays

Fiberglass Body Tubes

Quite a bit stronger than paper or the Blue Tube. And it is also the easiest to finish and paint because it has such a hard and smooth surface.

Fiberglass tubes

Motor Mount Adapters

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.

Motor Adapter
Rail Buttons

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.

Rail Buttons
Aero Pack Engine Retainers

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.

Engine Retainers
Madcow Rocketry's Engine Retainers

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.

Madcow Engine Retainers
High-Power Capable Parachutes

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.

High Power Rated Parachutes
Sky Angle Parachute Deployment Bags

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.

Sky Angle Parachute Deployment Bags
Modern High Power Rocketry 2

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.

Modern High Power Rocketry

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