Hey all,
Trying to find some information on either making or buying a Plane Balancer.
If anyone has a link to more information or where to buy one it would be appreciated.
Thank You
Mike

I would have to say buy one. Great Planes makes one and I used it for the first time and it really makes it so much eaiser to balance the plane and it is very easy to use. I think it cost around $35.00 or so, Worth it.

I made one from a couple of dowels, pencil erasers and a scrap board. Drill a couple holes (or several holes if you want the delux model with adjustable width), clamp the board to a bench, and you're good to go.

A piece of string used as a balance cradle costs about 20 cents and works better than any method used in 30 years. It does not satisfy the desire to spend.

Bill

I came equipped from the factory with fingers, they tend to do a good ob so far...

I second the dowels and scrap piece of wood. If you don't want to clamp it down just make some "legs" and attach them to the underside of the piece of scrap wood.

I used an 18" piece of 2x4, 2 1/4" dowels 12" long and fastened 2 pieces of scrap 1x3 18" long to the bottom of the 2x4. I have holes drilled an inch apart 1/2 way through the 2x4. Space the center at 6" then go from there.

15 minutes of your time, unless you have extra money. If you do, send the price of a GP balance machine to me and I will make you a "deluxe" balancer, finsh it in polyurethane (or paint it if you prefer ) and send it to you.

Love the replies. Im all about cheap!!!

I'm all about cheap too, This is what I use and works great for bipes too. With the pile of planes I got, I have to be cheap, Just need a plumb bob and some string and the CG is real easy. Hey BillS we think alike.

Dauntae

Dauntae,

Another choice of words is preferred but we are on the same page.

Cheap is when I don’t spend it.

Value conscious is when I spend the balancer money on another airplane.

Bill

different factory (AFAIK ) but same equipment

Ditto, why buy when you have fingers?

Did you know you can also buy a special device for putting rubber bands on? Or a special devise for opening clevises - because God knows a screwdriver doesn't work well. You can even buy lead weights, cause they're cleaner than the ones you get for free at the gas station.

Bottom line - If you make it, someone will buy it.

Save your money for things that CAN be useful, like an incidence meter, or a Slot Machine, ect.

One 2" X4", two new #2 pencils....two drilled holes....voila!!

I have one 20-pound and two 35-pound airplanes and they are a little bulky for fingers.

Bill