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  #1  
Old 04-22-2007, 07:17 PM
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Ironflight Ironflight is offline
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Default EAA Tie-Down Stakes - Wow!!

Last year, in anticipation of going to Oshkosh (which didn't happen because of work schedules), I made a set of those EAA tie-down stakes - the ones with a triangular plate and three straight spikes that you drive in at angles. I couldn't really believe that three skinny stakes could provide much holding power, but I built them per plans, and they've sat on my hangar shelf ever since.

I had a chance to use them last week to tie down a friend's -6 at the end of our hangar row, and after she left for home today, I went to pull the things out of the ground. Holy Cow!! I'm convinced that if we'd had a big windstorm last week, we'd have gone out and found a pair of wings and a tail wheel still tied down with everything else gone!

I finally got them out with two crowbars and a large block of wood used as a fulcrum. (I was close to going to get my friend's tractor to pull them out with the front blade...) I now have no doubt these things will hold - even though I'm not sure how they do it!

Paul
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  #2  
Old 04-22-2007, 07:25 PM
Kyle Boatright Kyle Boatright is offline
 
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Default

Got a picture or a link?

Are these lighter than the ones where the auger is made from a big split washer?
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  #3  
Old 04-22-2007, 07:52 PM
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John Clark John Clark is offline
 
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Default Tiedown instructions

http://www.vintageaircraft.org/magaz...ft_tiedown.pdf

Aircraft Spruce also has a similar kit available.

John Clark
RV8 N18U
KSBA
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  #4  
Old 04-22-2007, 07:55 PM
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cjensen cjensen is offline
 
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Default

I've used my set at Oshkosh the last four times we've flown in, and they ARE unbelievable. I was the same as Paul when trying to get them out of the ground!

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  #5  
Old 04-22-2007, 08:09 PM
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Ironflight Ironflight is offline
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Yup, John's link is to the ones I'm talking about! I just hope I can figure out how to get them out without carrying a 20 lb. crowbar to every fly-in....
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Paul F. Dye
Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
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  #6  
Old 04-22-2007, 08:34 PM
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4kilo 4kilo is offline
 
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Paul,

Put a vice grip on the end of the pin so that you can apply some torque to the pin as you pull it. Even re-bar usually slides right out if you twist while you are pulling.

Pat
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  #7  
Old 04-22-2007, 08:54 PM
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John Clark John Clark is offline
 
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Pat is right, the answer is to put in some rotation while pulling. I made a "puller" that engages a hex head on the stake so that it can be twisted while pulliing. Weighs less than the a crowbar.

John Clark
RV8 N18U
KSBA
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  #8  
Old 04-22-2007, 09:14 PM
tcrv7 tcrv7 is offline
 
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A box end wrench also works as long as it fits over the end.
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  #9  
Old 04-23-2007, 04:11 PM
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robertahegy robertahegy is offline
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I made them too and I'm glad I have Rich to pull them back out for me. They do work well.

Roberta
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  #10  
Old 04-23-2007, 08:38 PM
glider4 glider4 is offline
 
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Default Pulling out the stakes

I have a similar tie-down set and had a large single chain link welded to the side of the top bolt of each rod. I could then attach a rope or chain to get a good grip for pulling the rods out. If you can rotate the rods before trying to pull them out it sure helps! I've actually needed to pull them out with my 4X4 a couple of times....I think the failure point would be with the tie down bracket in the wings using this set-up!

Al Thomas
N880AT
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