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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: Dennis Toth on August 15, 2020, 03:59:43 PM

Title: PVC pipe engine test stand
Post by: Dennis Toth on August 15, 2020, 03:59:43 PM
Guys,
Anyone have a design for a PVC pipe engine test stand? I want to build something that can be left outside that I can more or less use when I have time to run various engines. I'd like it high enough to stand to start.

Best,    DennisT
Title: Re: PVC pipe engine test stand
Post by: Doug Moisuk on August 15, 2020, 07:34:55 PM
Do you have a Work Matt? Works great easy to move out and set up.
Title: Re: PVC pipe engine test stand
Post by: Dan McEntee on August 15, 2020, 08:29:09 PM
  I got a kind of cheapy version of the Black and Decker Work Mate from the Sears close out outlet store while it was still open for 20 bucks on sale. Not more that a glorified saw horse really but it is actually pretty nice for 20 bucks. I sue it a lot, including holding my test stands when running engines. I just clamp the board or what ever I have the engine mounted on into it, then weight it down with what ever is handy that's heavy. It not any where near the size of the more elaborate Work Mate, I have one of those that I fished out of  a neighbor's trash one night. It's REALLY stout with a wide base and would not need any weighting down. I don't know how well it would stand up to weather every day. You could simply find a plan for some kind of simple potting bench that is built out of treated lumber and add you requirements for running engines, and probably not cost more than PVC pipe and last as long as you will.
  Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee
Title: Re: PVC pipe engine test stand
Post by: John Leidle on August 15, 2020, 10:20:34 PM
  I reworked an old ironing board for that purpose while we were locked down in April.
       John L.
Title: Re: PVC pipe engine test stand
Post by: Wayne Collier on August 15, 2020, 10:27:20 PM
$20 vice and scrap lumber.
Title: Re: PVC pipe engine test stand
Post by: Dennis Toth on August 16, 2020, 06:54:04 AM
I've used the WorkMat and also a plywood box, works fine but I'm looking for something I can just leave outside, I plan to run diesel and don't want to bring the "aroma" in the house. The PVC could just be glued and screwed together I'm thing a flat top "A",  then U bolt a mount board to the top. Maybe use 1 1/2" PVC pipe. Could add some front extension pieces to keep it from overturning. Or a cheap Home Depot saw horse and urethane paint?

Best,   DennisT
Title: Re: PVC pipe engine test stand
Post by: Peter in Fairfax, VA on August 16, 2020, 08:34:53 AM
For $20, hard to beat a Work Mate.  I guess some varnish on the wood and grease on the metal would help for weather.  Or, possibly, a cover, such as a piece of a tarp.

https://www.harborfreight.com/folding-clamping-workbench-with-movable-pegs-47844.html (https://www.harborfreight.com/folding-clamping-workbench-with-movable-pegs-47844.html)
Title: Re: PVC pipe engine test stand
Post by: John Rist on August 16, 2020, 09:36:31 AM
For $20, hard to beat a Work Mate.  I guess some varnish on the wood and grease on the metal would help for weather.  Or, possibly, a cover, such as a piece of a tarp.

https://www.harborfreight.com/folding-clamping-workbench-with-movable-pegs-47844.html (https://www.harborfreight.com/folding-clamping-workbench-with-movable-pegs-47844.html)

And on top of that at $20 it's expendable.
Title: Re: PVC pipe engine test stand
Post by: Wayne Collier on August 16, 2020, 12:09:51 PM
May be more complicated than you want, but strategically filling some of the pvc with concrete mix can add some stability. Also if you aren’t going to move it around, you could set a mailbox post in the yard put whatever is going to hold the engine where the mailbox would be
Title: Re: PVC pipe engine test stand
Post by: Steve Helmick on August 16, 2020, 09:23:26 PM
I like Wayne's idea for a permanent fence post. The VGMC site in Richmond, BC has a permanent ETF setup that I think is made from railroad ties or something similar...huge & heavy, it's capable of holding multiple engines at once. #^ Steve

Title: Re: PVC pipe engine test stand
Post by: Tim Wescott on August 17, 2020, 09:38:02 AM
I'd go with anything but PVC -- it's good for conducting water around, but as a structural material it's wrong in about every other way.

I'd go with the sawhorse or the fencepost, or swing through the garden section of Home Depot or Lowes or whatever and look for a small potting table.
Title: Re: PVC pipe engine test stand
Post by: EricV on August 17, 2020, 11:57:50 AM
Guys,
Anyone have a design for a PVC pipe engine test stand? I want to build something that can be left outside that I can more or less use when I have time to run various engines. I'd like it high enough to stand to start.

Best,    DennisT

Hey Dennis,

Well, you said something you could leave outside...meet my "Bucket of Bricks Engine Stand" .

The only problem for your criteria is stand and start, but there is a solution for that... put it on top of something else sturdy. You could fill with water, sand, cement or whatever I guess, mine is full of bricks.

Screw the plywood with mount to the lid, throw a couple screws around the edges for extra insurance to keep the lid down and you are good to go.

Stop laughing...  it works.  LL~  Even with piped rigs. Red Green would be proud to own such a high tech rig.  /DV And I never worry about it being stolen, I mean, who in their right mind would want it?  n~

EricV

Title: Re: PVC pipe engine test stand
Post by: Tim Wescott on August 18, 2020, 12:18:25 PM
The high tech, "stand and start" version of that would be a garbage can.  You could even fill it with garbage, for verisimilitude.