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09-13-2019, 10:31 AM
Yeah, I'd say there's a death grip, the strongest looking mount blocks I've seen. Whereas the engine mounting design looks simplistic the fuel tank mounting assembly looks overly complicated, unless that design is for vibration damping? The jack screw/brass strap is a nice touch, looks very solid.
09-13-2019, 10:42 AM
Well give a machinist and idea and watch out! LOL Looks like a simple way to raise and lower the tank for each engine to get it just right. Probably less vibrations than the post mount type on the PSP, it shakes pretty good.
09-13-2019, 11:43 AM
Yeah, I'd say there's a death grip, the strongest looking mount blocks I've seen. Whereas the engine mounting design looks simplistic the fuel tank mounting assembly looks overly complicated, unless that design is for vibration damping? The jack screw/brass strap is a nice touch, looks very solid.
The fuel tank support is very basic and simple. That nut at the top is not a " jack screw" The tank bracket slides easily up and down the pylon. It is held securely in place by a wing screw that follows a slot in the support tube. Takes all of 5 seconds to adjust the height.
Total cost of materials including aluminum bought as "drop off stock" at the local "Metal Mart" Store was under $35
Last edited by Jesse Open; 09-13-2019 at 11:50 AM.
09-13-2019, 12:10 PM
Closest "Mart" to me in south side of Rockford, and are closed when I am not working. 
Would love to just go and browse the scrap bin for hunks I can use. I don't know what I can use unless I see it and hold it in my hand and visualize the end piece. Some day I will get around to laying out a landing gear for my P-61, but that requires me having a larger bench with nothing on it, the plans are huge.
Would love to just go and browse the scrap bin for hunks I can use. I don't know what I can use unless I see it and hold it in my hand and visualize the end piece. Some day I will get around to laying out a landing gear for my P-61, but that requires me having a larger bench with nothing on it, the plans are huge.
09-13-2019, 12:18 PM
Much better view, I see how it works now. Very nice. So that screw on top tightens the brass band I guess?
Can't touch your pricing. Be lucky to find a piece of drop off to make the bottom plate of your fixture.There's not a lot of big machine shops in these parts and the last one I went to used every piece of drop off they could. I did end up getting some nice large pieces of 3/8" thk linen phenolic on the cheap though. A good substitute for aluminum in many cases. Never thought to try a metal sales store.
Can't touch your pricing. Be lucky to find a piece of drop off to make the bottom plate of your fixture.There's not a lot of big machine shops in these parts and the last one I went to used every piece of drop off they could. I did end up getting some nice large pieces of 3/8" thk linen phenolic on the cheap though. A good substitute for aluminum in many cases. Never thought to try a metal sales store.
09-13-2019, 02:42 PM
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Great discussion by the way.
09-13-2019, 02:47 PM
Fabric/phenolic composites are fine materials. You are right, a good alternative to aluminum and readily workable with tools and machines made for wood.
While it may cost a bit more at times, there are some good deals for materials online. I have bought plenty of bar, tube and plate stock online with eBay a top choice. With a bit of shopping, the same stuff for the stand could cost less than $50, delivered to your door.
A few pictures to show a pretty simple, yet very sturdy fuel tank pylon:
The machined base, screwed to bottom plate.
Rectangular aluminum tube upright 1 inch by 2 inch 1/8 inch wall.
Top cap with Allen nut on thru stud.
As with the bottom, there is a lipped projection machined to keep the cap centered in the tube.
Rolling your own to me at least is a big part of the hobby .
Like they say; "Where there is a will, there is a way"
While it may cost a bit more at times, there are some good deals for materials online. I have bought plenty of bar, tube and plate stock online with eBay a top choice. With a bit of shopping, the same stuff for the stand could cost less than $50, delivered to your door.
A few pictures to show a pretty simple, yet very sturdy fuel tank pylon:
The machined base, screwed to bottom plate.
Rectangular aluminum tube upright 1 inch by 2 inch 1/8 inch wall.
Top cap with Allen nut on thru stud.
As with the bottom, there is a lipped projection machined to keep the cap centered in the tube.
Rolling your own to me at least is a big part of the hobby .
Like they say; "Where there is a will, there is a way"
Last edited by Jesse Open; 09-13-2019 at 04:05 PM.
09-13-2019, 06:00 PM
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Pete, I'm sorry you do not have as much fun rebuilding your engines as you had in the past, there's better stuff but Cuervo is not bad
Jim
09-13-2019, 06:04 PM
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Dave, now RCU has an add for "Lingerie for Every Body", it feels as good as it looks. well, I can't see myself in Lingerie. well maybe boxer's with a Saito emblem on them at the most
Jim
Jim
09-13-2019, 06:07 PM
yeeaa, like when I told Gary to make some snazzy engine stands out of brass, but the problem is, it's been about a year and they need polishing again heeheehee
Pete, I'm sorry you do not have as much fun rebuilding your engines as you had in the past, there's better stuff but Cuervo is not bad
Jim
Pete, I'm sorry you do not have as much fun rebuilding your engines as you had in the past, there's better stuff but Cuervo is not bad
Jim
These are brass
09-13-2019, 11:39 PM
All the test stands I've seen here look very functional. Very nice.
I'm using rc engine mounts attached to the end of a sawhorse, the tank secured with a rubber band sitting on foam and a bent piece of metal screwed into the side of the horsey to serve as throttle lever. I've only rebuilt and tested a few dozen engines and so far it's worked fine. It's pretty dilapidated though and I really should build something better. Something simple.
I'm using rc engine mounts attached to the end of a sawhorse, the tank secured with a rubber band sitting on foam and a bent piece of metal screwed into the side of the horsey to serve as throttle lever. I've only rebuilt and tested a few dozen engines and so far it's worked fine. It's pretty dilapidated though and I really should build something better. Something simple.
09-13-2019, 11:53 PM
Jim i should apologize right up front because i had you down as a tea drinking peanut butter sandwich man, how wrong was that? we used to light that stuff up in shot glasses, but ONLY after the engine had been reassembled i think
Gary the best looking brass has still got norma stamped on the base.
too.
Last edited by Rudolph Hart; 09-13-2019 at 11:58 PM.
09-14-2019, 03:54 AM
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Pete, I did that back in 2005 when the test stand was brand new, it has two 50 pound solid cement block built into it. I think most people would agree that the tank to carb relationship in that picture is ideal.
Yup. it's too shiny to be a grey Graupner, somewhere I have a picture of the idle being 1,950 at that moment.
Yup. it's too shiny to be a grey Graupner, somewhere I have a picture of the idle being 1,950 at that moment.
09-14-2019, 04:48 AM
Very impressive Dave. Performs as well as my modded 82. No fair!
09-14-2019, 05:59 AM
For sure! They work magic with lead and copper as well.
How about a completely home made ribbon type microphone with brass base. Ham radio is another place where the machines are part of the hobby.
09-14-2019, 08:09 AM
My best friend is into Ham Radio, showed him the pic of your mic.....he drooled all over my tablet.
Off to the airport to pick up the Mrs after her 2 month stay in Washington.....I guess the party is over!
Off to the airport to pick up the Mrs after her 2 month stay in Washington.....I guess the party is over!
Last edited by Glowgeek; 09-14-2019 at 08:11 AM.
09-14-2019, 06:32 PM
09-14-2019, 07:09 PM
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Jim i should apologize right up front because i had you down as a tea drinking peanut butter sandwich man, how wrong was that? we used to light that stuff up in shot glasses, but ONLY after the engine had been reassembled i think
Gary the best looking brass has still got norma stamped on the base.
And good practice for priming and handling/tuning an inverted engine dave. People here could also vary the tank height and watch how quickly things change re starting and tuning. That sure looks like an apc prop
too.Jim
09-14-2019, 09:58 PM
Nearly broke my neck trying to look at that pic right way up what prop is that wearing the white spinner and nice looking engine mounts too. Beautiful brass base on that microphone.
Dave the fuel tank position is ideal, not many times you can replicate that in a typical arf.
Don't panic about burning too much alcohol off jim, a quick flic of the bic then it was down the hatch, hard on your moustache as it looks a bit moth eaten after a session in the shed to saito soundtracks at night. I had a friend of a friend whose big hobby was re distilling just about anything so we were drinking what you might call turbo tequila, so a little fire at the start was really a precaution, it was so pure the flame was almost impossible to see unless you did it in complete darkness, which was also risky!
what prop is that wearing the white spinner and nice looking engine mounts too. Beautiful brass base on that microphone.Dave the fuel tank position is ideal, not many times you can replicate that in a typical arf.
Don't panic about burning too much alcohol off jim, a quick flic of the bic then it was down the hatch, hard on your moustache as it looks a bit moth eaten after a session in the shed to saito soundtracks at night. I had a friend of a friend whose big hobby was re distilling just about anything so we were drinking what you might call turbo tequila, so a little fire at the start was really a precaution, it was so pure the flame was almost impossible to see unless you did it in complete darkness, which was also risky!