Do I still need my rotisserie?

[bertschb]

I've "completed" 95% of my empennage, fuselage and wing kits. I used a rotisserie during fuselage construction and even though it always seemed kind of sketchy, it worked well and I didn't have any trouble with it. I'm waiting for my finish kit now and I'm wondering if I still need the rotisserie for that kit.

The reason I'm asking is because I just get nervous when using the rotisserie. I don't trust the welds on the Harbor Freight engine stands. I'm not an engineer but I don't like how the airplane is suspended between the very front and rear of the airplane. Even though I have pads under it while it's suspended I keep having visions of it crashing to the floor and denting something. The whole thing just makes me nervous.

Sooooo, did anybody find a rotisserie useful for the Finish kit? If the general consensus is "not really", I'm going to remove the rotisserie brackets from the front and rear of the airplane and retire the engine stands.

 

[MED]

I've "completed" 95% of my empennage, fuselage and wing kits. I used a rotisserie during fuselage construction and even though it always seemed kind of sketchy, it worked well and I didn't have any trouble with it. I'm waiting for my finish kit now and I'm wondering if I still need the rotisserie for that kit.

The reason I'm asking is because I just get nervous when using the rotisserie. I don't trust the welds on the Harbor Freight engine stands. I'm not an engineer but I don't like how the airplane is suspended between the very front and rear of the airplane. Even though I have pads under it while it's suspended I keep having visions of it crashing to the floor and denting something. The whole thing just makes me nervous.

Sooooo, did anybody find a rotisserie useful for the Finish kit? If the general consensus is "not really", I'm going to remove the rotisserie brackets from the front and rear of the airplane and retire the engine stands.

I found it very useful installing the fuselage wiring and rudder pedals. If you have completed those, you can probably do the rest without the rotisserie. Just consider any tasks that would require you to lean over the “side of the boat.”

 

[Phil Sprang]

I did most of the fuselage wiring and 100% of the panel install while on the rotisserie. However, mine was homemade and a fair bit higher than a typical engine stand. I could sit under an inverted fuselage in an office chair.

 

[Ron B.]

I did most of the fuselage wiring and 100% of the panel install while on the rotisserie. However, mine was homemade and a fair bit higher than a typical engine stand. I could sit under an inverted fuselage in an office chair

I've "completed" 95% of my empennage, fuselage and wing kits. I used a rotisserie during fuselage construction and even though it always seemed kind of sketchy, it worked well and I didn't have any trouble with it. I'm waiting for my finish kit now and I'm wondering if I still need the rotisserie for that kit.

The reason I'm asking is because I just get nervous when using the rotisserie. I don't trust the welds on the Harbor Freight engine stands. I'm not an engineer but I don't like how the airplane is suspended between the very front and rear of the airplane. Even though I have pads under it while it's suspended I keep having visions of it crashing to the floor and denting something. The whole thing just makes me nervous.

Sooooo, did anybody find a rotisserie useful for the Finish kit? If the general consensus is "not really", I'm going to remove the rotisserie brackets from the front and rear of the airplane and retire the engine stands.

 

[wirejock]

I used mine till the canopy stage. Once she was on gear, there really wasn't any way around it. I wish I could use one now. My chest is always sore from leaning over the edge.

 

[bertschb]

Once she was on gear...

How do you lift the fuselage to attach the gear?

 

[wirejock]

How do you lift the fuselage to attach the gear?

In my case my rotisserie was up high enough to insert gear.
However, I did fab a lift and two stands that gets used a lot. The lift is an aluminum Harbor Fright motorcycle jack. I like it because it has a fail safe lock. It won't drop without releasing it. The two stands are from Amazon. I've also used a cherry picker to hoist from the engine.
The lift works really well. I added a board to span the center section and spread the load.

 

[Ron B.]

I've "completed" 95% of my empennage, fuselage and wing kits. I used a rotisserie during fuselage construction and even though it always seemed kind of sketchy, it worked well and I didn't have any trouble with it. I'm waiting for my finish kit now and I'm wondering if I still need the rotisserie for that kit.

The reason I'm asking is because I just get nervous when using the rotisserie. I don't trust the welds on the Harbor Freight engine stands. I'm not an engineer but I don't like how the airplane is suspended between the very front and rear of the airplane. Even though I have pads under it while it's suspended I keep having visions of it crashing to the floor and denting something. The whole thing just makes me nervous.

Sooooo, did anybody find a rotisserie useful for the Finish kit? If the general consensus is "not really", I'm going to remove the rotisserie brackets from the front and rear of the airplane and retire the engine stands.

I will never build the interior ( fuel system, controls , wiring, panel , etc again with the fuselage on its gear. 1000% easier in the rotisserie. I’m doing a repair on a 14 now that required it to be placed in my rotisserie and I plan on re-installing everything in the cabin before removing the fuselage from the rotisserie, including the side panels.

 

[Swingwing]

I did my panel, all the wiring and interior with the plane on its gear. Climbing in and out was never ending and a huge PITA. It would have been so much nicer and faster if it was in a rotisserie on its side or upside down.

 

[cajunwings]

Will paint mine on the rotisserie.

Don B

 

[Jetmart]

I used the rotisserie for a few things but found it hard toreach into accomplish a lot of tasks. I did keep the fuselage on the floor as long as possible. Did all wiring, canopy, and interior paint with it in this position. It was an easy step in. I did not put it on the gear until it came time to mount the engine then used a strap and engine hoist to lift it.

 

[graywoodworking]

I've "completed" 95% of my empennage, fuselage and wing kits. I used a rotisserie during fuselage construction and even though it always seemed kind of sketchy, it worked well and I didn't have any trouble with it. I'm waiting for my finish kit now and I'm wondering if I still need the rotisserie for that kit.

The reason I'm asking is because I just get nervous when using the rotisserie. I don't trust the welds on the Harbor Freight engine stands. I'm not an engineer but I don't like how the airplane is suspended between the very front and rear of the airplane. Even though I have pads under it while it's suspended I keep having visions of it crashing to the floor and denting something. The whole thing just makes me nervous.

Sooooo, did anybody find a rotisserie useful for the Finish kit? If the general consensus is "not really", I'm going to remove the rotisserie brackets from the front and rear of the airplane and retire the engine stands.

I used mine when I painted the fuselage (without landing gear attached). I also used it for painting the wings.