I measured and found that my Tower Hobbies starter draws about 15 amps starting my Saito 100. With this much current, good wire and good connections are important and can make a significant difference in the power of the starter.

Also, in colder weather (I notice the OP is in Iowa) the 1.2 V glow sticks don't work so well. Glow plugs are designed for 1.5 V. We get away with 1.2 V, but this becomes more of a problem at lower temperatures. In the winter my engines start more easily from a power panel.