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Author Topic: ..Airplane rack...  (Read 2691 times)

Offline Bootlegger

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..Airplane rack...
« on: July 07, 2007, 02:52:48 PM »
 #^ #^ S?P H^^   Hello gain, While you fellows are thinking has anyone got any suggestions about building an airplane rack.
  I am thinking about 1/2" PVC pipe at the same level as a lawn chair that will break down fro transportation and storage..
       Thanks again, Bootlegger
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Offline Bootlegger

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Re: ..Airplane rack...
« Reply #1 on: July 07, 2007, 03:28:18 PM »
 D>K  Ty, I shudda been more specific as I am lookin for one to break down and use at the field when I need something to support the model for maintenance.
  But I like the way you have yours. I have some hanging in the ceiling to keep mine up higher...
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Offline Steve Helmick

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Re: ..Airplane rack...
« Reply #2 on: July 07, 2007, 05:45:30 PM »
1/2" PVC pipe will be too wiggly, so use 1". When I made mine, I used my handy dandy power miter saw. It worked fine, but threw PVC chips everywhere.  I would suggest purchase of a PVC pipe cutter, or use a regular tubing cutter, if you happen to have one big enough.  H^^ Steve
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Online Paul Taylor

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Re: ..Airplane rack...
« Reply #3 on: July 07, 2007, 06:17:19 PM »
PVC is so easy to cut with a hack saw.

But 1 inch is the way to go.

Paul H^^
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Online Paul Taylor

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Re: ..Airplane rack...
« Reply #4 on: July 08, 2007, 07:58:30 AM »
Here is a rack I built for the trip up to Brodaks. It holds one plane any size. It can be broken down cause I did not glue anything together.

It it stiff enough being only as tall as the bed of my truck.
At least might give you some ideas.

Paul H^^
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Offline Lee Thiel

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Re: ..Airplane rack...
« Reply #5 on: July 08, 2007, 04:04:36 PM »
This one has been shown before, but here it is again.  2" main structure with 1" wing shelves.  They are covered with a/c line insulation and are on a 5 degree angle to keep the planes in place.  Never had a plane slide around or off yet.
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Offline Warren Leadbeatter

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Re: ..Airplane rack...
« Reply #6 on: July 09, 2007, 01:45:09 AM »
I now use one of those portable fold up clothes hanger racks with wheels. You can hang 6 x F2B size models by their leadouts and you can wheel it round and fold it away if you need to transport it.
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Offline t michael jennings

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Re: ..Airplane rack...
« Reply #7 on: July 09, 2007, 11:00:30 AM »
Bootlegger,

Attached are three photos of two racks that I recently built. One is for two aircraft and the other supports 3 aircraft.  The aircraft are stored in a vertical manner.  This takes up less space in our mini van.

Each rack has about $10 worth of material.  The rack uses 1 inch PVC pipe. 

A lesson learned was to put adhesive on both the fitting and pipe end; then slide them directly together.  I was not able to slide them together and rotate them 90 degree as piping directions state.  As you can see, the three plane rack is not as square and the two plane rack. 

The bottom cross member is not glued but is drilled and uses Hitch Pen Clips to hold the vertical supports. This allows me to remove the cross member and makes for a compact storage.
 

t michael


Offline PatRobinson

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Re: ..Airplane rack...
« Reply #8 on: July 09, 2007, 12:25:53 PM »
Hi,
I believe Bootleggers actual need is a stand to help with field repairs so I will
try to help with that.  Dave Hemstrought came up with the simpliest and best
field stand I have seen.  It is a rectangle of .75" PVC pipe that is about 24" wide, about 30" long and about 20"-24" high. The way it is constructed is:
1. Each side is each side is glued together
2. the 4 cross pieces that create the width are held in with bolts and wing
    nuts.  the Top cross piece uses angle connectors and very short piece of
    pipe to create a drop down section  in order to clear the fuselage in the
    center of the cross piece. 
3. cover the top sides where the wing will rest and the drop down section
    where the fuselage will rest with plasctic foam or rubber pipe insulator.

Parts list:(1) 4- .75" pipe side pieces  pieces.
             (2) 4-  "PVC corner adapters" - adapter has 2 connectors at right
                        angles and 1 going down.
             (3) 4-  .75 PVC cross pieces with bolts and wingnuts- 4 angle
                        adapters for drop down section.
             (4) 4-   pieces foam pipe cover
   
Dave has  a folding stool and I think he set the height of the stand so it would be comfortable for him to sit on his stool and work on his plane while it is upside down on the stand. I don't have any pictures of Daves stand so I can't help there.
So, Bootlegger you remove 4 wingnuts and pull the bolts it knocks down for easy transport which is what I think you were asking for. It is such a simple
and inexpensive design that it could be adapted to hold the plane upright to adjust a Rabe-rudder by providing clearance for LG or to create a different stand for a bigger fuselage for a semi-scale stunter.
                                                           Hope this helps,
                                                        Pat Robinson

Offline Mark Scarborough

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Re: ..Airplane rack...
« Reply #9 on: July 09, 2007, 01:37:21 PM »
FOR FEILD MAINTENANCE I use a stand I fabricated that is similar to what we use in the body shop for parts. It is basically two inverted U shaped peices of 1" conduit that have a 3/8" boldt to make a pivot point, then a chain that conects the legs. It is adjustable for the distance between the cross parts of the inverted U (which is the surface you set the plane on) I used some foam insulation for padding. best part it folds flat for transport. I will try to get some picts later when home.
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