Custom-built wood tailwheel lift

[Sam Buchanan]

Originally Posted by Kyle Boatright

Don't forget the HS rib inspection and peering into the aft fuselage inspection openings.

Yep, sure makes cleaning the belly easier, too.

[JonJay]

If you jack your plane at the wing tie downs, you should raise the tail to keep the jack bolts from side loading. You should also weight the tail to keep it from "flying".

Sam - great job as always. A couple ideas to throw into the mix.....
If I was designing a "tail-mate" from scratch, I would add a provision to lock the tailwheel into the cradle and provide a platform to set weights, concrete filled bucket, saddle weights, whatever to keep the tail and lift from trying to fly.
I have a tail-mate and I just strap the tail wheel to the cradle and set weights on a small piece of plywood set on the bottom of the unit once the tail is raised a bit. It isn't a big deal, but while we are talking tail lifts....

[Sam Buchanan]

Originally Posted by JonJay

Sam - great job as always. A couple ideas to throw into the mix.....
If I was designing a "tail-mate" from scratch, I would add a provision to lock the tailwheel into the cradle and provide a platform to set weights, concrete filled bucket, saddle weights, whatever to keep the tail and lift from trying to fly.
I have a tail-mate and I just strap the tail wheel to the cradle and set weights on a small piece of plywood set on the bottom of the unit once the tail is raised a bit. It isn't a big deal, but while we are talking tail lifts....

Those are good points. The CG on my RV-6 is more aft than forward so there is still quite a bit of weight on the tailwheel with the longerons level. But I wouldn't raise it past that point because the tail would get light very quickly. A plane with a CS prop and large engine would most likely need to be secured as you suggested.

[RV3bpilot]

I Love it....

[EXflyer]

Ok show offs, now a question, why build a metal one it just looks, well like nothing and works no better than the wood ones.

I want to see the next step those of you who built them take in decorating them. Know its coming soon, brass bolts and screws? Paint or stain? Oak plywood or some other very nice looking wood.

Have seen many of your master pieces on here with wings, ok lets see the next step, finished.

Boyd in Chiloquin

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by EXflyer

I want to see the next step those of you who built them take in decorating them. Know its coming soon, brass bolts and screws? Paint or stain? Oak plywood or some other very nice looking wood.

Wait a little bit and i'm sure someone will vinyl wrap one of them... But they'll have to prime it first.

[Mel]

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Wait a little bit and i'm sure someone will vinyl wrap one of them... But they'll have to prime it first.

You beat me to it, Snowflake. Can't wait to see one in "Teak" or "Carbon Fiber". Who'll be the first. On your mark; Get set; Go!

[BruceW]

Isnt this a forum for building metal airplanes?
What's with the wood? 8^)
Me thinks someone has "gottabuildwithwood-itis".


OK now, back to making more aluminum dust!

[PCHunt]

One advantage of the motorcycle lift might be that you can put a scale on top of it and raise the tail in order to weigh the plane.

[rv7boy]

Originally Posted by BruceW

Isnt this a forum for building metal airplanes?
What's with the wood? 8^)
Me thinks someone has "gottabuildwithwood-itis".


OK now, back to making more aluminum dust!

The older members of these forums will remember the days when wood jigs were required for empennage, wings and fuselage for ALL RV?s available at that time. Pre-punched parts did away with the wood jigs which were often handed down from builder to builder.