AzRcpilot

Show us your Plane Stands
I would like to build one out of pvc. Was just wondering what others had and maybe get a better idea .
Thanks in advance
AzRcPilot

martyg

My Feedback: (42)

Stand for 25 size combat airplanes.
About $5 of materials to build.

Geistware

My Feedback: (16)

I am interested as well.
I need to build a couple of stands and possible carriers.

AndySteere

My Feedback: (2)

PVC is a great material for stands! Spend the extra bucks and get a good ratcheting PVC-cutter. Worth every bit of the $18 for no more PVC-dust. Makes cutting it a joy instead of a task.

I've built several PVC stands. Let's see... here's a pic with three stands in my truck (held in with either PVC caps or plugs screwed into the plywood):

(Click image for bigger version)


Here's a pic of my Diamond Dust's stand in its engine-starting position (shown in its transport position in the picture above):

(Click image for bigger version)


Got a big plane and need a stand for working on it? Try this one we saw (and borrowed) at a local fly-in (Taylor,MO):

(Click image for bigger version)


Here's my latest project, for a Pacific Aeromodels Gee Bee Y. The aluminum rod is the model's wing-tube and doubles as a handle and retainer during transport. This one was first built for just the fuse, but was then modified to hold the wing-halves too:

(Click images for bigger versions)


Buy more PVC pipe than you think you will need. That G.B.Y. stand is only 29" long, but took about 16 feet of PVC pipe to build. There are a few more pics on my website below, and our club's site at http://www.mmrca.org/ in the photo gallery section.

Geistware

My Feedback: (16)

I went to the photo section and didn't see any stands!
You must be the PVC king!

AndySteere

My Feedback: (2)

Sorry about the goose chase! Let me make it easier. The only stand-pictures on the club's website are here:

http://www.mmrca.org/Taylor2001/club.html

There is another picture of a Diamond Dust stand, from a different angle, and more pictures (and bigger pictures) of the large-plane stand.

Great, just what I need... a new title... "PVC King".

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

I made this little beauty out of an old discarded wire spool. It's sturdy as a rock! Just roll it off the roof of the honda, and roll it out to the pit area!

(yes, I'm joking)

SDCrashmaster

I have been using PVC for all my stands for years. Here's one for my TF 182.
The rear wheels allow it to roll all the way into the SUV easily. The pulling handle is easily removed. The wing on this plane is 81" and all the way up between the front seats. The stand was made so that the wing would clear the center armrest. The rubber feet on the front legs prevent it from moving around. This stand is especially nice when you can't park close to the pits and have to lug some distance. You just insert the handle, lift the front end off the ground and pull it along...although pushing it seems to work better.

The fact that the plane is up and floating allows stuff to be packed under it safely on the floor of the vehicle.

SDCrashmaster

From side w/ handle removed

SDCrashmaster

From the rear.

Blackie

Take a look at my gallery on the first pic you will see the stand I constructed out of 1" PVC, $7 in material.

AndySteere

My Feedback: (2)

Wheels... COOL! Thanks for the great idea!

Billy Hell

My Feedback: (2)

I bought a keyboard stand for 5$ at a garage sale. I use it to this day.

Geistware

My Feedback: (16)

Crashmaster,
That is a nice looking stand!
How do you come up with the concept of what you want it to look like?

stomper

My Feedback: (20)

I know , there not PVC

SDCrashmaster

How do you come up with the concept of what you want it to look like?

You simply figure out what you want the stand to do. Is it for transport and field usage. Will you have the plane on a table at the field? When not flying, how much space should it take up in the garage?.
One thing I try to do is to have the stands' footprint smaller than the model.
Four tall legs just doesn't work for me, as it doesn't usually allow for more than one plane to be put into a space like an SUV. I build them so that they are diferent heights so that the planes can be positioned very close together with overlapping horz. stabs or nose to tail, Definately get the PVC cutters.
Do a rough sketch of what you want simply for a parts list of elbows, T's, caps, etc.
They're cheap, so buy a few extra of each. The pipe insulation foam works great. Small zip ties hold them on securely.
Then you just start eyeballin' and cutting. Put all the puzzle pieces together and wahlah! For the wheels, I bought some utility wheels ($6 ea. I believe) from home depot, a steel rod for the axle, and some cap nuts.
The great thing is that it is so cheap that a few mistakes here and there won't make any difference...just cut a new section. Don't PVC weld until it is assembled the way you want it. On some joints, you may want to leave them unwelded for dissasembly. To avoid frustration, start with much more material than you think you will need. Again, it's so innexpensive.

Paul

Blackie

Crashmaster,

You just gave me some great ideas for my 4X8 closed trailer.

The trailer

I am going to try configure a PVC wheeled rack system in hopes that I can get at least four planes along with the wings as well. I want it to be completely removable so that I can still access the rear of the trailer. This will take the place of the current wall rack system I am using.

As far as the PVC welding goes there is no need to weld them just use a 3/32 drill bit drill a hole or two, one on each side if want then use a black flat head 1/2" roofing screw to secure both the pipe and fittings together, That way you have no worries of them coming apart and you can always adjust them as desired. If you notice in the trailer I use the screws to secure the pipe to the wood with.

Randy

SDCrashmaster

Nice job on the trailer Blackie.

bentgear

If you have a Home Depot close by they sell bags of 10 tee's, 90's, etc. at a good savings over the individual pieces.
Ed M.

Blackie

Thanks

Someone11-RCU

My Feedback: (2)

I built a nifty PVC rack for my fuselage of my lt-40. I have another plane that I would I like to build one for, but this time I would like to have a place to put the wings in too. I have noticed some of your PVC airplane racks, such as Andysteere's Gee Bee rack, and SDCrashmaster's PVC artwork and how you have added some PVC to form a wing rack. Just wondering whats the best way to go about building a fuse/wing PVC rack ... I will be hauling my CG Skytiger in a flatbed pickup, which is pretty wide, <<< I think I'll have enough room for 2 planes

I made up a wing/fuse PVC Rack design with AutoCad... any suggestions? (See the attache photo)

Thanks!

-Brian

SDCrashmaster

Yours will definately work.
Heres the rear leg of mine.

4*60

My Feedback: (41)

someone11

Is you horizental attached? Will that work??

flianbrian

Make sure the wing supports are high enough for the wing to clear the stab!

Someone11-RCU

My Feedback: (2)

LOL..... your right... i forgot abour the stab... hmm

What modifications too make... Any ideas???

-Brian