Getting the RV-12 UP onto my Saw Horses

[todehnal]

I have 2 heavy duty saw horses built to Vans specs and I have no problem getting the front one in place. I just lay a blanket over the tailcone close to the tail feathers and lay my upper torso on it while my wife puts the saw horse in place, then gently let it down. Done. Lifting the tail is a whole other issue. I'm not sure what the weight is, but it's just a bit much for this aging body to hold up long enough for her to properly place that rear saw horse. There has got to be a better way! My search for a jack that would work with the tail tie down ring and have enough travel to accomplish this has come up empty. So, how are you guys lifting that tail??
Thanks.. Tom... It sure is HE11 getting old.

[John-G]

Tom-

Have a look at the link below to my blog and you can see the jack I made to get the tail up in the air so a saw horse can be placed under the belly. It works great!

http://www.dogaviation.com/2017/09/p...condition.html

Happy Holidays and flying,

[Mich48041]

I use a Trailer Stabilizer Scissor Jack from Harbor Freight.
https://www.harborfreight.com/automo...ack-96406.html
They sell a smaller one for less money, but I wanted this one that extends farther.
The jack needs to be set on something about 16" or more high.
Make sure to put the forward sawhorse in place before lifting the tail with the jack.

[seagull]

todehnal,

I use this lift from Harbor Freight. Its a little expensive but useful for a lot of lifting or pulling with the -12. I can easily alone put the plane on the sawhorses in 5 minutes with this. Raise the table and hook it to the tail tiedown then lower the lift to raise the nose and you can place the front saw horse. Then use the lift to raise the tail and put the rear sawhorse in place. No emptying the tank or sore back, very simple.

http://waltsrv12.com/fun-stuff/lifti...g-a-sore-back/

[rvbuilder2002]

Originally Posted by todehnal

I have 2 heavy duty saw horses built to Vans specs and I have no problem getting the front one in place. I just lay a blanket over the tailcone close to the tail feathers and lay my upper torso on it while my wife puts the saw horse in place, then gently let it down. Done. Lifting the tail is a whole other issue. I'm not sure what the weight is, but it's just a bit much for this aging body to hold up long enough for her to properly place that rear saw horse. There has got to be a better way! My search for a jack that would work with the tail tie down ring and have enough travel to accomplish this has come up empty. So, how are you guys lifting that tail??
Thanks.. Tom... It sure is HE11 getting old.

Where are you positioning the fwd saw horse?

The M. M. depicts it between the boarding steps.
With the engine installed, this puts it near enough the balance point that lifting at the aft end of the fuselage isn't very difficult. It does help if there isn't much fuel in the tank.

[gasman]

Originally Posted by John-G

Tom-

Have a look at the link below to my blog and you can see the jack I made to get the tail up in the air so a saw horse can be placed under the belly. It works great!

http://www.dogaviation.com/2017/09/p...condition.html

Happy Holidays and flying,

From your cover, I remember this ride.....



You could actually roll them!!

[thiggins]

Basically the same as the harbor freight table.
I bought one on sale, and it’s highly recommended.
Works great so far.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...6308_200696308

To prevent interference with the big steering handle which folds, you can easily flip it around on its hinges so it flips down to the floor instead of towards the cart.

[todehnal]

Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002

Where are you positioning the fwd saw horse?

The M. M. depicts it between the boarding steps.
With the engine installed, this puts it near enough the balance point that lifting at the aft end of the fuselage isn't very difficult. It does help if there isn't much fuel in the tank.

As you stated, the front saw horse was easily placed at the station between the steps. What I didn't do was to have a near empty fuel tank. I will do that from now on. But that would only add about 100 lbs. or so, and given the leverage at the tail, I would only expect that to add about half of that. But I'm guessing that I had well over 100lbs that I was trying to hold up while the rear saw horse was positioned, without damaging the com antenna. Also, I was trying to cradle the tail cone in my arms and I found getting it high enough to be a problem. I like John's bottle jack idea, but thanks for you thoughts....Tom

[todehnal]

Originally Posted by John-G

Tom-

Have a look at the link below to my blog and you can see the jack I made to get the tail up in the air so a saw horse can be placed under the belly. It works great!

http://www.dogaviation.com/2017/09/p...condition.html

Happy Holidays and flying,

Thanks John Great idea.........Tom

[todehnal]

Hey John, I just looked at the bottle jack that you are using. That only gives you 9 1/2" of lift. Is that enough to comfortably give you clearance for positioning the rear saw horse?