Maineiac

I deal mostly with pressed stars which never even approach 8%, but yes, you are quite correct. In fact, I was told by the creator of D1 that one should never go above 5%-6%. I have found 4%-5% to be quite sufficient.

Two formulas you will get many miles out of are:
Shimizus Ascending Tiger Tail
D1 Glitter

Both are dead simple to make and contain no fancy ingredients. Both light very easily and can take a very hard break. They are also both well suited for experimentation as well. Add some 100 mesh Ti flake to the ATT and you have a whole new star. The D1 calls for -325 mesh spherical AL but by using 50% -325 and the other 50% 200 mesh, you get a very delayed flashing reminiscent of a strobe. The possibilities are endless.

From a previous post in this thead
link

After the stick has been added to a completed rocket (with any header attached) it should balance just behind the nozzle of the rocket.

Balancing just behind the motor is a bit of a fallacy. Try balancing a rocket motor that weighs 135 grams to which is attached a header weighing 350 grams. The stick needed would be rediculous in size and seriously detract from rocket performance. A typical 1# rocket uses no more than a .375" thick guide and they are generally no longer than 36". Typically ripped from Aspen boards. Only rockets 2oz. (.375" id) and under are ever balanced. To try the others is a waste of time and effort.
The main trick here is to use square sticks as previously mentioned and to shoot into the wind. The square form causes the rocket to weather-cock into said wind. This helps to keep the rocket where you want it.
And all this talk of ball milling rocket comp..... not required either. The above mentioned 135 gram motor is a mix of cheap mixed hadwood charcoal(33%), fine KNO3(58%) and sulphur(9%). Screened twice through a 40 mesh sieve is about all the incorporation you will ever need. Some of the more experienced rocketeers will recognize this formula. Can you argue with a Grand Masters success?

Good luck with all your rockets!

Nice rocket! I too am curious about the tooling used.

Nice! Those motors are really getting there. Three questions come to mind....why do you feel you need a longer stick and what width/material are you using? The last one would be what angle are you launching these at(perhaps this is your stick length issue)? Hard to tell from the video if the rocket tilted right out of the pipe or if the angle was a bit soft. Have you tried other break strategies? Good success has been had using meal coated corn cob and a few grams of whistle. One more question...did you weigh the header?
Your daughter's comment and enthusiasm are priceless! Keep up the good work!