wirejock
Well Known Member
VAF has a new advertiser and here's a review of one of their products.
Heartland Machine & Manufacturing, John's Rotisserie
Heartland Machine & Manufacturing
Check out the web page for pricing, details, photos and a video.
Here's a photo of the parts included. Note the "Tail Support Kit" is not included.
Assembly it pretty easy.
Forward End
In the site video he recommends 2" X 4" braces. I tend to over engineer so I elected to fabricate some angle iron brackets for the forward end. In my case, the engine mount holes have not been drilled full size and I didn't feel confident in 3/16" bolts through a 2" X 4". Two vertical brackets and one horizontal bracket were fabricated and drilled for the roll assembly.
Aft end
Tail draggers can rotate on the tail spring. Nose draggers need to install something to use as a rotational pivot point. There is a "Tail Support Kit" available. Notice it in the photo. I wanted to use a plywood deck clamped to the longerons with a 3/4" pipe.
Final Assembly
The uprights (4" X 4" X 8'), bolts (3/8"), washers and nuts are not included. It's all standard stuff and easy to find. Simply cut the beam to your desired height. I chose 48" Aft and 36" forward. Next match drill the beams for the feet and rotational brackets and bolt everything in place.
Mounting the Fuse
The fuse is meant to be lifted on the forward end and the bolt inserted into the top of the leg. Then the aft end is lifted and the fuse rotates into place.
I found it easier to mount everything to the forward end first and lift the tail. My fuse was already on saw horses. Once everything was bolted in place, the forward leg was hanging. I lifted the tail till the forward leg rested on the floor and Sweetie pulled the forward saw horse. Next I lifted the tail again and she slid the aft leg in place and removed the saw horse. Easy peasy.
Rotisserie Operation
Sweetie held the fuse, I pulled the pin and we rotated it 90 degrees. Insert the pin and it's firmly in place. Honestly, I was pretty nervous the first time but it's very solid. I can rotate it easy by myself.
First Impressions
The fuse is easy to rotate. The feet are very solid. I'm not at all worried about it tipping or rocking fore and aft. The height can be easily changed simply by putting the fuse back on a saw horse and replacing the beam with another of the desired height.
Here's a finished photo and there are lots more on my blog "Fuselage" page.
Please direct product questions to Heartland Manufacturing.
Heartland Machine & Manufacturing, John's Rotisserie
Heartland Machine & Manufacturing
Check out the web page for pricing, details, photos and a video.
Here's a photo of the parts included. Note the "Tail Support Kit" is not included.
Assembly it pretty easy.
Forward End
In the site video he recommends 2" X 4" braces. I tend to over engineer so I elected to fabricate some angle iron brackets for the forward end. In my case, the engine mount holes have not been drilled full size and I didn't feel confident in 3/16" bolts through a 2" X 4". Two vertical brackets and one horizontal bracket were fabricated and drilled for the roll assembly.
Aft end
Tail draggers can rotate on the tail spring. Nose draggers need to install something to use as a rotational pivot point. There is a "Tail Support Kit" available. Notice it in the photo. I wanted to use a plywood deck clamped to the longerons with a 3/4" pipe.
Final Assembly
The uprights (4" X 4" X 8'), bolts (3/8"), washers and nuts are not included. It's all standard stuff and easy to find. Simply cut the beam to your desired height. I chose 48" Aft and 36" forward. Next match drill the beams for the feet and rotational brackets and bolt everything in place.
Mounting the Fuse
The fuse is meant to be lifted on the forward end and the bolt inserted into the top of the leg. Then the aft end is lifted and the fuse rotates into place.
I found it easier to mount everything to the forward end first and lift the tail. My fuse was already on saw horses. Once everything was bolted in place, the forward leg was hanging. I lifted the tail till the forward leg rested on the floor and Sweetie pulled the forward saw horse. Next I lifted the tail again and she slid the aft leg in place and removed the saw horse. Easy peasy.
Rotisserie Operation
Sweetie held the fuse, I pulled the pin and we rotated it 90 degrees. Insert the pin and it's firmly in place. Honestly, I was pretty nervous the first time but it's very solid. I can rotate it easy by myself.
First Impressions
The fuse is easy to rotate. The feet are very solid. I'm not at all worried about it tipping or rocking fore and aft. The height can be easily changed simply by putting the fuse back on a saw horse and replacing the beam with another of the desired height.
Here's a finished photo and there are lots more on my blog "Fuselage" page.
Please direct product questions to Heartland Manufacturing.
