Rotisserie for 8KCAB

[falco_fly]

Hi all,

Looking at a fuselage recover on an 8KCAB. Does anyone have any photos/plans/etc. for a rotisserie frame for the fuselage?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bob Turner]

Probably heavier than the Cub - but I just use an H frame of 2x4s bolted to the firewall. I guess it is more like a # frame.

It does take some care when rotating, and you could always put a sawhorse with a pivot in back, bolted to the tailwheel mount. The Cub fin is strong enough to just rest it on the ground when inverted.

 

[Bartman]

Hi all,

Looking at a fuselage recover on an 8KCAB. Does anyone have any photos/plans/etc. for a rotisserie frame for the fuselage?

Thanks in advance!

Falco, I modified two automotive style engine stands, I'll try to find better photos or take a few at the hangar tomorrow morning. If you were closer you could come get them and use them for your project

1977 Super Decathlon 8KCAB Rebuild

It is worth noting that the purpose of a ground plane is not to ground something. Also worth noting that grounding is different than bonding.

champcitabriadecathlonforums.com

 

[Bartman]

Have a look here, might be enough info to get you going

Fuselage Rotisserie Pics

Was at the factory and noticed a bare fuselage mounted to a rotisserie. I think they all go through assembly by first being mounted to a rotisserie. Here are some pics. The upper engine mount attach points at the front of the frame are pretty close to the bottom of the tailwheel attach...

champcitabriadecathlonforums.com

 

[Champdriver]

I made my own rotisserie after looking at lots of photos and making my own drawings. It had to have certain features, simple to make, not many different sizes of tubing, and it hadto break down and fit in the trunk of my car after building it at my brothers place.
I'm sure someone with better metal working skills and tools could build something better. I just guessed where to put the front pivot point so it would be centered on the rotating CG.
It has simple pivot points front and aft which allow for raising and lowering each end. I have 4 points to lock it in after rotating it every 90 degrees.
I can raise and lower each end with drilled holes in the vertical pieces making it adjustable, the same with the width of the stands on each end. I have 2 long pieces and a short coupler along the bottom to keep the ends from torquing the airframe when moving it around.
I can just rotate it alone if necessary, two is better but there's never anyone around near my hangar to help.

 

[Bob Turner]

Very nice. You could probably sell these.

 

[Bartman]

the only thing I'd caution against is making any part of it too rigid where it places stress on fuselage mounting points. Loose connections with some play protect against damage if it isn't perfectly lined up

nice fixture @Champdriver , that's how it's done

 

[falco_fly]

Probably heavier than the Cub - but I just use an H frame of 2x4s bolted to the firewall. I guess it is more like a # frame.

It does take some care when rotating, and you could always put a sawhorse with a pivot in back, bolted to the tailwheel mount. The Cub fin is strong enough to just rest it on the ground when inverted.

Thanks @Bob Turner, that was my initial plan but thought I would see if there was anything wrong with this approach...

 

[falco_fly]

Have a look here, might be enough info to get you going

Fuselage Rotisserie Pics

Was at the factory and noticed a bare fuselage mounted to a rotisserie. I think they all go through assembly by first being mounted to a rotisserie. Here are some pics. The upper engine mount attach points at the front of the frame are pretty close to the bottom of the tailwheel attach...

champcitabriadecathlonforums.com

Thanks @Bartman, very helpful!

 

[falco_fly]

I made my own rotisserie after looking at lots of photos and making my own drawings. It had to have certain features, simple to make, not many different sizes of tubing, and it hadto break down and fit in the trunk of my car after building it at my brothers place.
I'm sure someone with better metal working skills and tools could build something better. I just guessed where to put the front pivot point so it would be centered on the rotating CG.
It has simple pivot points front and aft which allow for raising and lowering each end. I have 4 points to lock it in after rotating it every 90 degrees.
I can raise and lower each end with drilled holes in the vertical pieces making it adjustable, the same with the width of the stands on each end. I have 2 long pieces and a short coupler along the bottom to keep the ends from torquing the airframe when moving it around.
I can just rotate it alone if necessary, two is better but there's never anyone around near my hangar to help.

@Champdriver, that's beautiful work! Thank you for the info!

 

[Champdriver]

Thanks guys, as I said it has to be simple and able for me to move it around by myself. I was out there today and I could have used two guys for 5 minutes but there's no one around.
I might have to set it on a stand to shrink the fabric around the tail post, then back on it for the rest of covering. Having 8 positions of rotation might be handy but I thought 4 was enough.
And no, I won't be making any more of these, except for the wings for covering and painting.