Inserting elevator hinge bolts

[Vern]

You can also drill the appropriate sized hole thru the side of an old pair of needlenose pliars. Aluminum pliers are also available that are easy to drill and are cheap.

[Hawkeye7A]

I took a 6" curved-tip forceps and ground a small radius in each jaw near the tip so that I can snap them shut on a -3 bolt or just hold it with enough pressure to slip the bolt in. Another advantage over the bolt insertion tool is the capability to grab it anywhere along the shank that I choose.

[Ironflight]

I love the forceps idea! I used unmodified needle-nose pliers, and had the blood blisters to prove it! I'm going to pay a visit the Flight Surgeon's office and see what I can find...not that I want to remove my control surfaces anytime soon, but then again, you never know when a new SB might come out...

Paul

[Rick6a]

Dave,

Clever...very clever. Great idea. Your picture is more than clear enough to get the idea. Looks like I have a quick project to make while its too cold and windy to fly today! Now I can put those skinny and slippery needle nose pliers away! Thanks for sharing.

Rick Galati RV-6A "Darla" 112 hours

Originally Posted by Davepar

I made a copy of the commercial version out of some .025 sheet. It's two layers riveted together. It took two tries to get it right, but it's already saved 10X that much time and frustration. Sorry the picture is kind of fuzzy. You can also see in the picture how I use a bent nail to hold things temporarily until I get the bolt in there.

click to enlarge

Dave

[dwilson]

I used a little tab of duct tape one the bolt or washer. Just enough to hold it, but not enough to holdit TIGHT.

Not too difficult once you get a feel for it.

Duane

[Rick S.]

I have several sets of forceps or hemostats...they are GREAT for just such things. Curved to hold the nut/bolt and straight to hold the washers. Indespensible tools IMHO.

Rick S.
RV-10
40185

[Broken-wrench]

I have 12" curved " I call them Bob Marleys " forcepts. I put lots of bolts in Boeings with them. They also work when It's really freezing and your hands don't!

[rv9aviator]

Ditto on the hemostatic forceps and the washer wrenches. You've got to have at least one pair of hemostatic forceps and they're cheap.

[Steve]

I built the simple tool shown in the "24 yrs RVator" book. Took all of 15 minutes. Even works on my friend's C-182 flap track bolts.
Steve

[Tom McCutcheon]

I use a pair of long forceps that were given to me by friend that makes dental crowns. Also I took a couple of an3 bolts and ground a point on the threded end and welded a piece of welding rod on the head. Works great for aligning the hinges.

Probably the best tool for putting on the rudder, elivators and ailerons is the ratchet box end wrench. I thought I was getting a pretty good deal at Harbor freight for about $40.00 for a set until I found practically the same thing at Costco for about $20.00. Earlier I had purchased just the 3/8 ratchet box end through Sears for about $12.00. As you can see, the sets are a better buy.