SIG Balancer
 

Hi,
The ads for the new SIG Balancer look pretty good.
It works on planes and does props for $39.99.
Has anyone gotten one of these yet?
What can you say about it?
Thanks,
KW_Counter

RE: SIG Balancer
 

Sig usually has fine stuff, I have not used that balancer. I use two numbr two pencils with pointed slip on eracers shoved into holes in a pair of 3x3x1 wood bases. cost about a buck a zillion years ago.

RE: SIG Balancer
 

Can you post a link? I forget where I saw it.

I was seriously considering a balancer, and I guess I still am, but the homemade idea sounds a bit better. My newest plane has the balance point measured at the wing tip, and using one of the store-bought balancers wouldn't work for that (I don't think - I believe they are on connecting 'rails' and won't span the width of the wings).

I guess you could transpose the balance point to a new point near the fuse, but it sounds like a pita to me.

RE: SIG Balancer
 

Here's a jpg of one I made from PVC pipe for about $2

RE: SIG Balancer
 

gaRCfield

Here's the link

http://www.sigmfg.com/cgi-bin/dpsmar...FV4.html?E+Sig

Click on the pic to enlarge.

Sorry, thats their home page. On the left side, click on "building equipment" then"balancers" then "aircraft balancers"

Hope this works for you.

Lm

RE: SIG Balancer
 

This is indeed a kit with a lot of laminations to do but that is why it is so sturdy and works great I really like it. I also have used a CG machine on many airplanes but this is easier to find where it actually balances and to measure what that balance point actually is. Much easier than the scales on balance machine. I took the balance machine apart and boxed it up probably won,t use that anymore.
Fun little kit took pretty much all day, real nice with the precision ball berings it works well and I enjoyed the little build. The largest size prop you can balance and achieve full 360 degree rotation is 12 inch but of course you can balance larger by shifting the cone axle.

John

RE: SIG Balancer
 

That really looks like a nice one. I have been using the CG machine for years and it works OK but is often a giant pain. In my old shop I had a pully system and a plumb bob set up, that got the CG dead on but no longer have the room for doing it that way.Sig sure has some nice items.

RE: SIG Balancer
 

Try the "Vanessa Rig", also. I don't know HOW it works, but it does!

RE: SIG Balancer
 

John,
Thanks for the info. It looks like a good machine, especially for $40.
I guess I'll put it on my birthday list.
Thanks,
KW_Counter

RE: SIG Balancer
 

Bought one. When I received it I thought the ply was a bit soft and flimsy. Carefully followed the instruction book taking 2 days to finish. It broke on first use...one of the balance arms broke in half at the bearing while my Ultra Stick Lite 120 was sitting on it.

Overall I am not impressed and expected more from Sig. I do not want another one even if Sig offers to replace it. I will find a better system.

TJDNC

RE: SIG Balancer
 

"Bought one. When I received it I thought the ply was a bit soft and flimsy. Carefully followed the instruction book taking 2 days to finish. It broke on first use...one of the balance arms broke in half at the bearing while my Ultra Stick Lite 120 was sitting on it.

Overall I am not impressed and expected more from Sig. I do not want another one even if Sig offers to replace it. I will find a better system.

TJDNC"

I'm with you TJDNG! Broke mine twice during assembly. Then broke one of the balancing arms at the bearing while smoothing the surface. Broke one of the wing stops trying to mount a plane on the balancer. All that said, the balance seems to work very well, as long as the system is elevated so the wheels don't touch the ground! [&o]

Happy Landings!

RE: SIG Balancer
 

Looks overpriced for a balancer kit. Heck my fingertips have worked just fine for my 7 planes so far!:D

RE: SIG Balancer
 

I agree with the last three post. Mine broke at the bearing housings on both arm during the build. SIG has released a real piece of junk. The engineering is very poor, the materials used are poor, etc, etc, etc.

RE: SIG Balancer
 

This link goes right to it

http://www.sigmfg.com/cgi-bin/dpsmar...20Balancers_01

RE: SIG Balancer
 

Hey Guys,
We are aware of the problem and have a redesigned part available for the asking. If you have a broken one, send me an e-mail with some proof of purchase and a new one will be going out to you right away. Sorry for the inconvienence.
Cheers,
Bob Nelson
customer service
Sig Mfg. Co.
[email protected]

RE: SIG Balancer
 

try this one....

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=827122

RE: SIG Balancer
 

Tail Skid:

That "one" is way overpriced plus the fact that it is very difficult to get proper measurements from the lead edge (for me anyway). I'm willing to give Sig the benefit of the
doubt and let them send another for evaluation.

Happy Landings!

RE: SIG Balancer
 

I suspect the problem with breaking arms is from forcing the berings into the arms with force without sufficiently releaving the holes fit. Causing failure with heavier models. This is after all a kit and was my cheif motivation in purchase I love mine and use it regularly and experianced no problems. to date.

John

RE: SIG Balancer
 

I can not speak for others that had problems. But, pressing tight fitting bearings was not the problem on mine. Especially if you read the instructions and sand the hole out so that the bearing slides in but will not fall through under its own weight. That is what I did and doubt it was the problem as some suggest. As for model weight...an Ultra Stick 120 Lite is not a heavy plane. The support bar simply broke after the plane sat for about 30 seconds. None of this changes my comment that it is my feeling that the wood seems flimsy and not what I expected. I am not satisfied with the balancers quality or performance!

I have already received replacement support bars and tonight tried to get the brass bushing and bearing out of the balancer legs. I will need to buy a small drift to get the bushing out. I tried to pry the wood apart but heard cracking of the ply so I had to stop.

At this point I have other things to do so, I will put it up for another time or a better design.

Tom

RE: SIG Balancer
 

Wow, after reading this thread it sure looks like the EZ Balancer Lite is a bargain compared to the Sig and the Sig balancer is the over priced product.

RE: SIG Balancer
 

Would be nice if SIG specified a maximum weight that can be used on this balancer.

RE: SIG Balancer
 

UPDATE

After almost a year with the Sig Balancer Kit and considerable use with the majority of my own production but also folks who I seem to always be helping with tweeking of their airframes, I find the the Sig is my preferred tool of the simple bench top type balancers.

The prop balancer portion I do not use much since the closed type is a little more time consuming so for that I use a different tool most of the time.

However for the majority of the airplanes that cross my bench I much prefer the Sig over the Great Planes balance machine which I do have also.

Is it a giant scale balancer? No of course not and its debatable that any simple bench top type is, that would of course be an unreasonable expectation.

Perhaps one should consider the simple Vanessa hanging type for your giant scales.

I for one will continue to use and enjoy mine where its the appropriate tool for the job.


John

RE: SIG Balancer
 

I finished the Sig balancer tonight and while testing it out I found it bit difficult to find that neutral CG. On my fingertips I identified where the cG should be but then when I use the Sig if I have the balancer tilted a bit too far fwd it will go fwd or if I have it a bit leaned back it will fall back. I assumed it should work like a seesaw. The only way I have gotten it to work and I am not sure if this is correct or not is to hold it levelmake sure not to shake the table and it will stay. If I shake the table it will either topple over fwd or aft.

RE: SIG Balancer
 

If the airplane is on the balancer and it sits level then that is where the CG actually is, not neccessarily where the book says it needs to be. To move it where the book says to put it then move things around in the airplane (battery) so it will sit level when positioned on the balancer at that point.

As with any type of table top balancer device the airpane can be toppled off easily if its not level. That is why to give it some stability on the balancer The airplanes center of mass needs to hang a bit below the balance points or bering point. Generally but not in everycase a high wing is used on the stand upright and a low wing inverted.

John

RE: SIG Balancer
 

If the plane is top heavy it will be hard to balance unless you balance it upside down

Balance low wing planes upside down