Wing rotator

jkvincent · Post by **jkvincent** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 23:08

...can you use a wing rotator (the big wheel type) after the wing is covered,
or at this point are you resigned to the... "2 guys" technique?
I'm guessing the "standard" rotator with a saw horse at one end would work. How do you do it? Jim

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 00:54

I don't use it until it's time to paint, and certainly not before it's covered. I preffer the rock steady saw-horse while I'm covering and taping. When it comes time for spraying, that's when it rotator, gets modified to fit and bolted on.

nkh

jkvincent · Post by **jkvincent** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 08:29

Nate, thanks for the photos, they're a big help. I'm ready to cover but because of my work schedule,
I'm at the hangar many weekdays alone
and its a pain-in-the-butt. I see what you mean about saw horses and rock steady when covering,
...sure hate to cover it while its twisted.
Jim

WWhunter · Post by **WWhunter** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 09:50

I've never done a wing rebuild but I am just wondering if an extended engine stand would work.

Keith

N3840E · Post by **N3840E** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:17

Engine stands work good for a lot of stuff. The good thing about them is the ones from Harbor Freight are cheap enough to buy two or three and modify them to work for whatever you want. You can make just about anything swivel if your pivot point incorporates "U" joints from salvaged drive shafts. That's what I like about having a MIG welder in the shop, you can cobble together work stands etc. out of steel scraps in a short time. Don't worry guys, that MIG dosen't do airplane work.

Paul Agaliotis · Post by **Paul Agaliotis** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:21

If you are going to do building you need a good flat table.
I have a rotator that hangs from the 2x6 rafters. You can use it in any garage or building that has rafters. The other end is supported by a sawhorse. It only takes one person to flip the wing.
I also made the adapters to support a fuselage. The problem is the fuselage is too tall for a complete 360.
Paul

jkvincent · Post by **jkvincent** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 11:17

...also, just spoke with Jim at Aircraft Tech Support and he agrees (as we do),
some type of rotator at the butt, (hanging, eng. stand or otherwise) and saw horse at the other end works best for covering,
especially if you're single-handed.
thanks, Jim

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 14:14

Engine stands work good too, we have a couple that are used on fuselages. The only concern with an engine stand is it's foot print; they tend to be a little narrow and can tip over if you're clumsy like me. I built the ones pictured because the wing has a 7-1/2 foot cord and are fairly heavy.

FYI: the hoop is made from 2 pieces of electrical conduit bent to shape with a hand bender. The conduit is nice because it welds very easily, so you can add tubing to mount different wings.

I didn't realize how wobbly Champ/Chief wings were until we covered a set. Even after they were covered you could twist them an easy 15 degrees.

nkh

Post by **joea** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 14:36

Nathan K. Hammond wrote: I didn't realize how wobbly Champ/Chief wings were until we covered a set. Even after they were covered you could twist them an easy 15 degrees.

nkh

Thats one of the reasons why I do not do aerobatics with a Chief/Champ! One is that these airplanes are old and the other is that they simply are not stressed for it.

If I am going to fly upside down it will hopefully be in something designed for it!

Joe

N3840E · Post by **N3840E** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 14:48

Sit in the back seat of a Citabria and look to your left or right during a 3.5 G pull. That will open your eyes. Same wing as a Champ only with a heavy fuel tank too.

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 14:53

Ah come on Joe, after you put the struts on, they get really nice and firm.

But since we're on the topic... what about a '64 7ECA would you do acro in it?

nkh

N3840E · Post by **N3840E** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 15:19

I would do aerobatics in a '64. We had a '64 with O-200 and it flew circles around the "fat" Lycoming powered 7ECA we had. I think the E.W. is about 100 lbs. lighter. Plus it had the oleo's, which I like better.

Post by **joea** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 15:22

A later model is a slightly different story. You ARE wearing a parachute I hope?

N3840E · Post by **N3840E** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 15:27

Yup, I wear a parachute when I fly aerobatics and I wear a helmet when I ride a motorcycle. I like living on the edge without the fear of going off the edge. All the Citabria's are long gone and the parachute was sold. I'm just a broken down old man with a Champ and an exp. catagory cub. I try not to use that cub word on the Aeronca board, it could cause a virus.

Post by **joea** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 20:24

Kevin,

Sorry was really pointing that "are you wearing a 'chute" towards Nathan as have heard that he does upside down from time to time.

You can say the word Cub on the forum as we know that we are faster and more fun than the Cub!

Joe

PS who also still rides an antique BMW motorcycle with a helmet on, not to mention gloves and boots, and who still owns a parachute which is on his back/rear end when he flies upside down!