Wing Rotator Fixture

Bartman

Bartman

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 27, 2018
Messages
4,542
Location
New Jersey, USA
Homemade fixture for rotating wings in your shop. Having been through the rebuild/fabric/paint process recently I can honestly say it would take ten (maybe twenty!) times longer to do if you were to work flat on a bench or sawhorses!

Have a look
 
I must have flipped my wings 100 times! In the beginning I had the “I don’t need that” mindset and then half way through I had the “it’s too late now”

I will definitely build a set for my next project 👍🏼
 
btracy62 said:
How do you mount a Citabria wing in that hoop?
Click to expand...
Not sure. I have a set of those hoops for doing cub wings, and I was not able to figure it out, being that there is only the one exposed strut mount. Ended up using the saw horse method.
 
I think you could rig up a bracket - not sure if it would interfere with fabric. But I would, as a last resort, just keep the hoop hanging on the wall, and use the sawhorse and kick method on the wingtip. That worked for me when The Greek started to get unhappy with constantly flipping wings.

It does help if you have a buddy who can correctly position the sawhorse, but kicking works if you are careful.
 
I have used the rotator on Cub, Stearman, and Taylorcraft wings. It does save time, but I am not going to say it cuts it in half. It does make it easier.

I will take a look today if I remember. My airplane has cuffs, but I bet I can see from an inspection ring whether a bracket will work.

I stitch solo - I have perfected the art of looking through holes, or looking under the wing for the needle impression. I use only the Stitts hidden stitch. I rarely do Champ wings, and have not done an entire wing - but if I ever did, I would get one of those Milwaukee battery powered rivet pullers. Snap, snap, snap, and all done! We are always messing around in fuel tank areas, particularly on the right wing.
 
Are the hoop type better for Decathalon wings, or something that just goes on the ends of the wings? I am assuming when I unscrew the wingtip there is something substantial enough out there to attach it to…
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top