Lou's Brew Fuel

[Louis Rankin]

I have been out of sorts taking care of my folks for the past few years and have not been able to attend very many contests.  I am now able to travel and get back to what I love.

Will be starting up my fuel mixing service again for those that still appreciate the smell of burnt Nitro, castor, and Klotz.  I don't ship, but can deliver to contests I attend or you can pick up in Somerville Tennessee.  Those that are interested shoot me a PM and I will send you a price list.  As everyone has experienced, inflation has descended upon us with a vengeance.   Prices have gone up, but Lou's Brew is very competitive compared to local shops.

Mixing does not require rocket science.  I mix by volume using VP Racing Nitromethane, Klotz, Baker's AA Castor, fresh methanol, and fresh jugs.  Have several standard mixes and can custom mix if you commit to a case.  Also will be providing castor in quarts for those that like to buy one mix and spike as desired.

I will be attending the up coming Saint Louis contest on the 18th and 19th of September.  May be able to attend the Canton Georgia contest on the 11th and 12th of September.

[Dan McEntee]

    I'm glad and proud of you for taking care of your parents first. I helped with my Mom as she aged and in here final years. She took care of me for 18 plus years until I left home, so it was the least I could do. Glad to see that you are getting back into "The Mix" again, pun intended. I have used your stuff with no problems since I bought a batch at Paducah a few years ago. I need to check stock and get my order together.
    Thanks a lot and good luck to you!!
    Dan McEntee

[George Grossardt]

Will you be shipping fuel?

[Louis Rankin]

Will you be shipping fuel?

NO!  As stated in original post, catch me at a contest or in Somerville Tennessee.

[Tom McClain]

Shipping fuel is the enemy of affordable fuel for all model aviation internal combustion engines and their disciplines.  HAZMAT charges easily double the price of fuel and make it prohibitive to purchase let alone for a hobby store to provide. 

What is the answer?  Well Ken DuFour and I have bought fuel in bulk; 50 to 60 gallons at a time and got the club discount, or made our own by finding a store that supplies Methanol in bulk (5 gallon cans) and then mixing our own to copy GMA 10/22.  So we obtain Nitro, Klotz Technoplate synthetic, and Bakers Castor separately and then reuse VPI Steel 1 gallon cans and then first decant into the can 12 oz each of  Klotz, Baker's Castor, and then Nitro to come close the GMA 10/22.  Once the additives are in the can, we then decant with a cannula the Methanol until the can is full.  Close enough.  We have compared it in our stunt engines with GMA 10/22 and can find no difference.

We avoid the cost of shipping HAZMAT charges and we keep the cost to about $25.00 a gallon.

Where can you get the ingredients?  Well, off road race shops, motorcycle race shops, Go-Kart shops, or Top Fuel Dragster shops are some of the places to go.

[George Grossardt]

NO!  As stated in original post, catch me at a contest or in Somerville Tennessee.

Sorry.  Missed that.

[BillP]

No HAZMAT on quarts.

[Louis Rankin]

Shipping fuel is the enemy of affordable fuel for all model aviation internal combustion engines and their disciplines.  HAZMAT charges easily double the price of fuel and make it prohibitive to purchase let alone for a hobby store to provide. 


We avoid the cost of shipping HAZMAT charges and we keep the cost to about $25.00 a gallon.

I sell a gallon of 10/22 Half & Half for $23.  But as you say, hazmat can double the cost.  Additionally, when you ship, the package handlers can and will bust jugs.  Try and claim insurance and they always say you did not pack it well enough.  Customer does not care, they just want their fuel.  So, vendor ends up eating the cost.  Shipping fuel is a nightmare and not worth the hassle.  It is my intention to make it to enough contests to be able to meet fuel needs for most of the Southeast guys.  Will also try and make it to the NATS next year.

Anyone have a 5X8 cargo trailer for sale at a good price?

[Tony Drago]

U-Haul is always selling off trailers and trucks. On their prices

[Louis Rankin]

    I'm glad and proud of you for taking care of your parents first. I helped with my Mom as she aged and in here final years. She took care of me for 18 plus years until I left home, so it was the least I could do. Glad to see that you are getting back into "The Mix" again, pun intended. I have used your stuff with no problems since I bought a batch at Paducah a few years ago. I need to check stock and get my order together.
    Thanks a lot and good luck to you!!
    Dan McEntee

Thanks Dan.  It was a heartbreaking experience, but I would not have had it any other way.  They were good parents, I have no complaints at all.

It was my father who steered me into Control Line many years ago with a Ringmaster and a Torpedo 19.  Precious memories I have of us flying that thing in the school yards close to our house.  Still have the Torp and plan on building a tribute soon in the same colors, black and Fokker red.  I know that you and Sean have many good memories to cherish as well.

[Dan McEntee]

U-Haul is always selling off trailers and trucks. On their prices

   I asked this question of a local U-Haul dealer, and he said that U-Haul does sell their trucks, but they DO NOT sell their trailers. I mentioned that I had looked at a local trailer for sale that was painted brown, but was obvious to me that it was a U-Haul trailer, and that I passed on it because the price was out of my range. He explicitly stated that if you see a U-Haul trailer for sale anywhere, avoid it because it is most certainly stolen. Trailers age better and last much, much longer than trucks so they have no need to sell them. I like the design of most of them, but no way to legally own one!
   Type at you later,
    Dan McEntee