When to “Rotisserie?”

[etocr]

Hi Gang,

I’ve been reading all the benefits of placing the fuselage on a rotating engine-mount adapted to the firewall(?). This said, what section of the Fuse build process should I consider utilizing a “rotisserie?”

Thx!

 

[Phil Sprang]

I did it the moment we joined the empennage to the fuselage. We Cleco'd them together, 100%, put it on the rotisserie and promptly rolled it inverted, just because.

It stayed on the rotisserie through panel installation and wiring. When I took it off the rotisserie, it went right on to landing gear and then moved it to the airport.

Side note, the rotisserie in this picture has the center of rotation at 36" above the floor. I later modified it to 48", which is much, much better, in my opinion

 

[plehrke]

As soon as it structurally able to support itself. I would wait till riveted together so you don’t induce any sag or curvature.
And don’t throw it away once you put it on the gear. It will be even more valuable later when you paint.

 

[Nashpdman]

Agree with "the moment we joined the empennage to the fuselage". I'm building a 10 which required extended feet on the rotisserie to keep it from tipping, especially after the cabin top was installed. The rotisserie was time and money well spent, makes life so much easier!

 

[lipper03]

I did it a little different, and had the front on early before the big join.

I put the front on, and used a lift cart and later a motorcycle lift on wheels, it was a manual turn process that took two people, but allowed me to do most of the wiring and panel work with the fuse on it's side with minimal space use (I'm building in a one car garage mostly at that time).

It was supported by the carts and lifts all the way to the big join, and after the big join put the rear on.

Notice here the rear is not on yet, and the lift cart and motorcycle lift are supporting the weights separately.

And now the rear is on.

 

[wirejock]

Agree with others. Once the fuse is stable. Leave it till you can't do anything else. It makes life so much easier.

 

[TASEsq]

As soon as the forward and aft are cleco’d. It makes riveting them together much easier.

30-06 -> 08: Tailcone Riveting to Fuselage

A Build Log detailing the build of a Vans RV-14

tasrv14.blogspot.com

 

[etocr]

Hey Gang, Thanks for the advice! I'll post pix as the project. progress's...

 

[Major-Tom]

I built my Rotisserie right after the big joint. chapter 30... All material used, comes from Van's Crates. Rotation point is just a 1/2" bolt.