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I have never liked lifting the tail of my RV-7 up since it has been a finished project. The way I do it is to lift it onto a sawhorse, and then shim it from there. The problem is I have to lift the tail up with both my arms, then support it with one arm while I shimmy over the sawhorse. It's just an awkward stance for my body to be in, and also it leaves my RV in a vulnerable position while everything is moved into position.

I saw a lot of RV'er have one a Tail-Mate(http://www.tailmate.com):


But I can't justify the cost of $350! It's some steel tubing, caster wheels, pulley and a $30 winch off of a boat trailer! Raw materials can't cost more than $100 or $150. I think the markup they have on this is RIDICULOUS.

If no one has any great ideas, instead of blowing $350 on a tail-mate, I am going to use the money instead to buy a MIG welder and make one myself. I figure my total cost will be around $300-$350, and I get a free welder out of it!

I used my engine hoist and a strap around the tailspring. only problem is you can't swing the rudder.

$350 is stupidly high price

Hey Mike,

Why not lose the welder and just make one out of wood? Glue and screw it together, and it should be nice and solid. Bet you could make one for less than $50 bucks.

BSwayze wrote: Why not lose the welder and just make one out of wood? Glue and screw it together, and it should be nice and solid. Bet you could make one for less than $50 bucks.

Bruce,

You're missing the point completely.....I am trying to talk myself into buying a welder! I thought about going the wood route, but I think I will need steel to make the bracket that attaches to the tailwheel for strength.

Great idea Mike! Make me one too!

Everyone needs a welder! especially one who is building or owns an airplane , car, house or anything else that needs maintenance. I have used mine to build brackets, modify/ make bucking bars. build carts, chart holders, stands of all sorts repaired mowers, tillers, you name it. 

I have saved WAY more than it cost my wife to buy it for my birthday. Make sure it has AC so you can weld aluminum.


Craig




On Feb 1, 2011, at 8:51 AM, RB Lists - The Hangar wrote:

BSwayze wrote:
Why not lose the welder and just make one out of wood? Glue and screw it together, and it should be nice and solid. Bet you could make one for less than $50 bucks.


Bruce,

You're missing the point completely.....I am trying to talk myself into buying a welder! I thought about going the wood route, but I think I will need steel to make the bracket that attaches to the tailwheel for strength.



Mike Bullock
http://www.rvplane.com
RV-7 | Superior IO-360 | Whirlwind 200RV
Garmin 430W | GRT Dual Sport EFIS
Status: FLYING!



rivetbangers.com - Discussion topic http://www.rivetbangers.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=36374#36374

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Everyone needs a welder!
Especially one who is building or owns an airplane , car, house or anything else that needs maintenance. I have used mine to build brackets, modify/ make bucking bars. build carts, chart holders, stands of all sorts repaired mowers, tillers, you name it.

I have saved WAY more than it cost my wife to buy it for my birthday .
Make sure it is capable of AC output so you can weld Aluminum

Craig

Just be carefull not to over rotate...could end up on its nose!

Brantel wrote:Just be carefull not to over rotate...could end up on its nose!

Hmmm, is there a story here?

Brantel wrote:Just be carefull not to over rotate...could end up on its nose!

Good point, Brian. The tail of a RV-7 gets exponentially lighter as it's raised. I always have some concrete blocks on a rope now for when I raise it.

bullojm1 wrote: Bruce,

You're missing the point completely.....I am trying to talk myself into buying a welder! I thought about going the wood route, but I think I will need steel to make the bracket that attaches to the tailwheel for strength.

Mike,

Gotcha! So true... haha

I borrow my brothers welder when I need one. Best situation possible.

Mike, I keep my welder at hangar #5 if you want to whip one of those up when you come.

Hmmmm, mebbe we make 2 or 3 of them!?!

Draw up some plans Machine Man, you want one too?

CJ

Me and my friend Ben are gonna do just that! Materials are being picked up today!

Chadley,

Take some detailed pics so I know what to order.

Mike, I will swap you a tail lift thing for a hangar warm up thing!

Let's work out the details!

CJ

Will do...we're gonna start messing around building a couple of them next week sometime.

That's how Scott Card did it.





This principle is interesting too. A Yak-12 owner from Ukraine.

Vlad,

Thanks a lot for those ideas. Unfortunately, I think that is for a nosewheel RV, which already has its tail up! I do plan on making two of those hydraulic jacks as soon as Harbor Freight has a sale on them for wingjacks. Seems to be the way to go.

What kind of welder can you get for $300? The last Miller (252) I bought was a couple grand.

What are you doing that you need to lift the tail so often?

I can't believe I am questioning anyone wanting a tool. Maybe I am moving forward on the 12 step tool addict program

With my friend Ben's help, I started making a tail lift this past week. First time on the Tig welder...



I burned one hole thru a practice piece, but things are going well!



We are heading to Harbor Freight tomorrow to pick up a couple of boat trailer winches and pulleys. Hope to have this thing together next week, and have a tail lift for about $50!!