tensiometer

[dspender]

I'm finishing a Zenith Cruzer. These have steel cables to the tail feather control surfaces. Unlike the first RV10 I built. To finish this project, I need to tension the cables. I need a tensiometer to adjust that tension. They are terribly expensive. I'd like to rent one ( or borrow one) from someone for about 6 weeks so I can finish this project and order my next RV10 kit. (In the future, I'll only build RVs. Instructions and support are so much better).

Any suggestions from where or from whom I could borrow one? (I envision paying the shipping to my home, using it over a 6 week or so period, and then shipping it back to the lender.

 

[Ironflight]

I think it was Reinhart Metz that wrote about how to make one in KP some years back - you might look that up.

 

[gasman]

I think it was Reinhart Metz that wrote about how to make one in KP some years back - you might look that up.

That was in Dec. 2018 Kitplanes....
Here..... https://www.kitplanes.com/build-a-calibrated-tensiometer/

 

[CTCole]

Yes, I built one. Here's the link.

 

[dspender]

Yes, I built one. Here's the link.

I've been working on building my own with those plans. I have it mostly constructed, but to tell the truth, if there were a functioning one at my airport, I'd borrow it and get back to completing the project.

 

[CTCole]

I've been working on building my own with those plans. I have it mostly constructed, but to tell the truth, if there were a functioning one at my airport, I'd borrow it and get back to completing the project.

I would have also. Fortunately I have a friend with machine tools, experience, and scrap metal.

 

[Ralph Inkster]

Anybody building or servicing Cubs & similar planes around your area? They would likely have a tensioner.

A friend has his CH250 in my hangar right now refitting his tail feathers. He was looking for a tensioner just 2 days ago. Picture 2 RV guys trying to figure out how to work it.
Turn out he needs to replace the cables too. Now he’s looking for a crimp tool…

 

[dspender]

Anybody building or servicing Cubs & similar planes around your area? They would likely have a tensioner.

A friend has his CH250 in my hangar right now refitting his tail feathers. He was looking for a tensioner just 2 days ago. Picture 2 RV guys trying to figure out how to work it.
Turn out he needs to replace the cables too. Now he’s looking for a crimp tool…

Swagging tools to build cables are insanely expensive also

 

[giorgioca]

Swagging tools to build cables are insanely expensive also

I did all my swaging with this cheap tool, I got at West Marine:

Whoops, we couldn't find that.

 

[giorgioca]

Swagging tools to build cables are insanely expensive also

This is what I used:

 

[drinkwater]

While you're at West Marine, look for a loos gauge. It is probably good enough for setting cable tension

 

[Roy Thoma]

I made this cable tension meter when I built my CH601HDS. Calibrated it with cable holding a bucket with various amounts of water. I also used the same swaging tool giorgioca pictured.