VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics


Go Back   VAF Forums > Model Specific > RV-9/9A
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-15-2011, 09:43 PM
Skybolt Al's Avatar
Skybolt Al Skybolt Al is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: South Florida
Posts: 101
Default Help with bending the roll bar

I did a search but didn't find anything on how to bend the roll bar. Mine is about 5/16" too wide so I need to bend it in narrower. I screwed a couple of heavy wood blocks to my workbench top to hold one end and pulled on the other but that large diameter tubing really springs back. I haven't even got it to move 1/16" yet. Anybody have a good technique?
Thanks.
__________________
Al
RV-9A
Allen@AllenRice.net
Started 7/09
First flight 7/8/2015
Love this plane!!

Last edited by Skybolt Al : 09-16-2011 at 09:14 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-15-2011, 09:54 PM
pkill's Avatar
pkill pkill is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: North Central Oregon
Posts: 106
Default

Hi Al,

I put one end on the floor and the other end in my chest, my body weight pushing down did the trick.

I tried the same thing with the slider frame but just could not get things right... until I bought a conduit bender from Home Depot. Some garden hose slit lengthwise will protect the tubing while you wrench on it with the bender. Turned out real nice.

pk
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-15-2011, 11:18 PM
Lars Lars is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Davis, CA
Posts: 1,156
Default

I had the same problem- it was about 1/2" too wide- but mine was pretty stubborn. I weigh 200 pounds and no way was I going to do it with body weight or muscle power. I used a ratchet strap, and had to pull the ends together several inches in order to make any difference. The stored energy in the strap was scary. I got it eventually though.

__________________
Lars Pedersen
Davis, CA
RV-7 Flying as of June 24, 2012
960+ hours as of June 30, 2020. Where did the time go?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-15-2011, 11:55 PM
Stoo Stoo is offline
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: LL10, Naperville, IL.
Posts: 68
Default

If you have a floor drill press (as opposed to a bench model) it can be used as an arbor press. That's how I tweaked my roll bar. The steel is very springy so you have to flex it a lot to get any measurable reduction in width.

Stewart Willoughby
6, finishing
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-16-2011, 08:03 AM
Dave Cole's Avatar
Dave Cole Dave Cole is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Roanoke, VA
Posts: 306
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lars View Post
I had the same problem- it was about 1/2" too wide- but mine was pretty stubborn. I weigh 200 pounds and no way was I going to do it with body weight or muscle power. I used a ratchet strap, and had to pull the ends together several inches in order to make any difference. The stored energy in the strap was scary. I got it eventually though.
I used a similar technique, although I used a ratchet cable puller with an anchor shackle around each end of the roll bar. I tried a ratchet strap, but I couldn't develop enough force with it.
__________________
Dave Cole RV-7 N97DC reserved
dave.cole@cox.net
Started SB April 2004
Hope to fly in 2011
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-16-2011, 09:18 AM
Skybolt Al's Avatar
Skybolt Al Skybolt Al is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: South Florida
Posts: 101
Default

My first try was with a ratchet strap, but also couldn't develop enough force to get a permanent bend. I'll try to find a bigger strap. I'm only 165# and I've tried bending it using my weight but the roll bar just laughs at me. I can hear it saying now: "Get off of me little boy".
__________________
Al
RV-9A
Allen@AllenRice.net
Started 7/09
First flight 7/8/2015
Love this plane!!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-16-2011, 11:45 AM
Jerry Cochran's Avatar
Jerry Cochran Jerry Cochran is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sherwood, Oregon
Posts: 981
Default If you have a friend...

...who does body work, then you can borrow one of these
http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...ram-33611.html

Like I did...
__________________
Jerry Cochran
Sherwood, Oregon

RV-7a 707DD Bot from David Domeier 12/01/11
Lycoming IO-360 Catto 3 blade Panel upgrade in progress

RV6a 18XP 1st flite 03/21/07 sold to Dale Walter 10/22/2011
Superior IO-360, Hartzell Blended, GRT/Dynon

Happily "autopaying" DR

"Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself."

Mark Twain
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-16-2011, 11:59 AM
Skybolt Al's Avatar
Skybolt Al Skybolt Al is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: South Florida
Posts: 101
Default So I went up to Harbor Freight and

bought one of their 3300# ratchet straps for $15.99 + 20% discount and a free flashlight (my wife loves them, but that's another story). Still had to pull very hard, even using a big screwdriver to get more leverage on the handle. Pulled it in to about 38.5" and could feel the steel tube just 'let go'. After releasing the strap, it sprang back to 42 5/16. Perfect! Thanks for the help. Here is a pic of that monster ratchet strap.
__________________
Al
RV-9A
Allen@AllenRice.net
Started 7/09
First flight 7/8/2015
Love this plane!!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-16-2011, 12:57 PM
Lars Lars is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Davis, CA
Posts: 1,156
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Skybolt Al View Post
bought one of their 3300# ratchet straps for $15.99 + 20% discount and a free flashlight (my wife loves them, but that's another story). Still had to pull very hard, even using a big screwdriver to get more leverage on the handle. Pulled it in to about 38.5" and could feel the steel tube just 'let go'. After releasing the strap, it sprang back to 42 5/16. Perfect! Thanks for the help. Here is a pic of that monster ratchet strap.
Pretty much what I did (except for the flashlight). And just think, now you'll have a strap strong enough to withstand the immense thrust from your prop when you tie the tail for initial engine start
__________________
Lars Pedersen
Davis, CA
RV-7 Flying as of June 24, 2012
960+ hours as of June 30, 2020. Where did the time go?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 09-16-2011, 03:06 PM
Skybolt Al's Avatar
Skybolt Al Skybolt Al is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: South Florida
Posts: 101
Default

Good to hear that I'll be able to use it for something else.
__________________
Al
RV-9A
Allen@AllenRice.net
Started 7/09
First flight 7/8/2015
Love this plane!!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:44 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.