Author Topic: Engine Running Stand (Read 2861 times)

Garf · « **on:** July 02, 2009, 12:53:47 PM »

I have just been running some engines trying out the Omega fuel I just bought, to see if it would run in my older engines. I believe it will only work in my ABC, ABN, AAC or AAP engines. My Fox Rocket didn't like the stuff at all. I hope my gallon of castor oil gets here soon. I think my running stand has about had it. I can picture it falling apart any time now. I need to find a design that is light, simple, and strong, preferably foldable. Any ideas?

Eric Viglione · « **Reply #1 on:** July 02, 2009, 01:52:54 PM »

My Bucket-O-Bricks stand would never pass the "lightness" test, but it'll hold down even the gnarliest PA!

I just have a Tatone stand bolted to a sheet of marine plywood, bolted to the lid of a 5 gal bucket filled with bricks.

Works for me, and gets all kinds of strange looks from the R/C guys at my field.

Here's a shot of one of my PA61's breaking in on a header muffler.

EricV

Randy Powell · « **Reply #2 on:** July 02, 2009, 03:52:59 PM »

I use an aluminum unit that was patterned after the old EZ-Just test stand. That's bolted to a chunk of 3/4" pressboard that is clamped to the old picnic table in my backyard. Has a 20 ounce ducted fan tank for fuel. Sort of goofy looking curved stand up job.

jim gilmore · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2009, 06:03:40 PM »

Randy, does that mean you can break an engine in in 1 tank full ?

Bill Heher · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2009, 08:45:32 PM »

I have used various pieces of 3/4 plywood with a notch cut to receive the engine, clamped in my M.I.C. ( made in china) copy of a Black and Decker Workmate.
It folds up when not needed, and is handy for lots of stuff besides test stand. A 2X4 thru a cement block and across the bottom braces of the legs keeps it from tipping. You can find them at Harbor Fright, Wally World, Home Despot, etc for about $25.

Ralph Wenzel (d) · « **Reply #5 on:** July 02, 2009, 09:06:32 PM »

Until recently, I always used a 2-step ladder (wood) painted with 1 or two coats of polyester resin, and with a Tatone (or the newer Brodak) test mount bolted to the top. Total weight about 4 pounds, folds flat, etc. Put a 25# bag of sand on the bottom step and it'll hold anything you're likely to run.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #6 on:** July 02, 2009, 10:20:35 PM »

Jim,

No, I just don't have to fill it as much.

Michael Boucher · « **Reply #7 on:** July 06, 2009, 02:42:50 PM »

Eric, I like your Bucket O-Bricks stand, cool

Jim Treace · « **Reply #8 on:** July 06, 2009, 03:28:44 PM »

Garf,
I use a standard engine test bracket from Brodak. I put it on an old Dremel jig saw stand, (think you can get similar stands from local hardware stores). This way it's at a higher level and I don't have to stoop much to use it. Also, heavy enough for up to .51 motors. It's not foldable, but slides away pretty easy. Would need a little weight on the base for larger bore engines. It tends to "walk" a little with the ST.51 with rev up at end of tank. LA 40-46, no problems with stability.
Most expensive part was the Brodak bracket, I think $49.00
http://www.brodak.com/shop_search.php?productsearch=engine+test+stand
Jim

Michael Boucher · « **Reply #9 on:** July 10, 2009, 05:09:59 AM »

That's a cool test stand as well.

Ed Prohaska · « **Reply #10 on:** July 10, 2009, 09:59:04 PM »

How is this for an engine test stand: A Dumas Big Swamp Buggy! I built this in the late 1980s when I was "corrupted" by an R/C field 3 miles from my house. The Futaba Attack 4 radio died about 10 years ago and I never got a new one. I've used it for ground running engines ever since.

The engines mount on a removable crutch. I made up 4 of these to try different engines when I was still running the air boat. It usually ran with a K&B .61, but I used a LA .40 and a .46 when those first came out. I have crutches for engines I no longer own like the Fox .50 and Merco .61, but some can be modified to accept different engines. The yellow one now accepts the FP/LA .35 to .46, Super Tigre .46, Stalker .40/.46 and my GMA Jett 50. I can't run a prop larger than 12 inches, but normally use a 10 or 11 inch prop for break in anyway.

One nice thing about the airboat: the finish of Hobby Poxy and K&B Super Poxy over polyester resin is highly fuel proof. It will probably be around long after I'm gone. I would never have built this boat just to ground run engines, but since I have it, I use it. Regards, EWP

andreas johansson · « **Reply #11 on:** July 11, 2009, 03:05:07 AM »

The mighty king of , and the worlds ugliest, test stand

http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=2966.0

/Andreas

George · « **Reply #12 on:** July 11, 2009, 06:31:33 AM »

Quote from: Andreas on July 11, 2009, 03:05:07 AM

The mighty king of , and the worlds ugliest, test stand

Agreed...but it works! ...and as one of the posters on that site said, "Reuse beats recycle every time."

George

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #13 on:** July 11, 2009, 11:58:48 AM »

Quote from: Andreas on July 11, 2009, 03:05:07 AM

The mighty king of , and the worlds ugliest, test stand http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=2966.0

/Andreas

Been following this thread and trying to decide if I should mention "Worlds Ugliest Test Stand".. You saved me the embarrassment

It ended up getting painted (more or less) when I painted my flight line tractor, good place to squirt left over paint. It's still very functional and has ran a bunch of engines, no signs of vibration fatigue and holding up well even though it lives outside.

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #14 on:** July 11, 2009, 12:20:50 PM »

Long as we're lookin at them -- here is mine. This one is a Dynamometer,

"Billy G"

Bill Adair · « **Reply #15 on:** July 11, 2009, 12:46:05 PM »

Bill,

That is an amazing set up. Did you design it, buy it, or build it from plans?

Bill

andreas johansson · « **Reply #16 on:** July 11, 2009, 12:53:18 PM »

Bob: Every time I feel a little depressed or stressed I read the thread about the WUTS(tm) and it always cheer me up.

I hope that the paint didnt make it look less ugly?

/Andreas

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #17 on:** July 11, 2009, 03:02:50 PM »

Quote from: Bill Adair on July 11, 2009, 12:46:05 PM

Bill,

That is an amazing set up. Did you design it, buy it, or build it from plans?

Bill

Bill --- I got this Stand as a kit from a gentleman in Massachusetts. I will dig out the info on it if you wish. He only made 12 of them and saved one for me. This is how it comes.

"Billy G"

Bill Adair · « **Reply #18 on:** July 11, 2009, 03:17:29 PM »

Bill,

Looks like a great piece of test equipment. How does it work for you?

Doubt I can afford one, but it doesn't hurt to ask the builder, so I'd appreciate the info if it isn't too much trouble to find.

I like fiddling with engines, and bench running stuff like that, almost more than flying! It's not supposed to work that way!

Bill

clscale7 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 17, 2009, 10:44:49 AM »

I use my test stand enought I made from surplus plywood, food cans from my recycling bin and lag bolts. I have my test stand set up with two mounts, one for smaller engines and another for larger engines. The stand weighs less than 12 lbs but even with a .60 or .90 at full bore it doesn't move. I also have a throttle linkage setup since I fly CL scale with throttle control. I can put this on the ground, concrete or grass and it won't move.

proparc · « **Reply #20 on:** July 18, 2009, 06:31:06 PM »

Quote from: clscale7 on July 17, 2009, 10:44:49 AM

I use my test stand enought I made from surplus plywood, food cans from my recycling bin and lag bolts. I have my test stand set up with two mounts, one for smaller engines and another for larger engines. The stand weighs less than 12 lbs but even with a .60 or .90 at full bore it doesn't move. I also have a throttle linkage setup since I fly CL scale with throttle control. I can put this on the ground, concrete or grass and it won't move.

Some guys are just flat out geniuses.

jim gilmore · « **Reply #21 on:** July 26, 2009, 01:58:23 PM »

Yes thats anrweal nice looking test stand using surplus stuff

Warren Wagner · « **Reply #22 on:** July 27, 2009, 07:30:21 PM »

You mention "folding", and here is folding.

This test stand is a Tatone mount, fastened to a piece of Melamine board, which is securely bolting to a metal, folding saw horse from Home Depot.

The saw horse is quite heavy, and is adequate weight for motors up to 35-40s. Anything larger, I cozy up to some thing substantial and put a strong, solid rubber bungee chord around it and the saw horse.

A similar, smaller metal mount can be mounted on the opposite end of the saw horse to give you a range of motors that can be tested.

Cheers.

Warren Wagner

Garf · « **Reply #23 on:** July 27, 2009, 09:56:04 PM »

I'm still watching this thread. I'm leaning to some sort of sawhorse type of stand so I can stand up to crank the engine rather than go down on my knees.

Author Topic: Engine Running Stand (Read 2861 times)

Eric Viglione