What's new
Van's Air Force

Don't miss anything! Register now for full access to the definitive RV support community.

My Wing Rotation Solution for Painting

goatflieg

Well Known Member
There have been a lot of creative solutions shared here on how to rotate your wings during the painting process. I've borrowed some ideas from different sources and come up with my own "wing rotation jig system". It's eyeball-engineered so I won't quote specifications here. Instead I will present this slideshow in hopes it might inspire someone to make their own simple, low-cost solution.
I had considered assembling a proper rotisserie that was tied together at both ends and utilized an engine stand as a pivot point, but that seemed too complicated and expensive to do properly. I liked the simplicity of the square solution that I originally saw in the TV series "From The Ground Up". I wasn't about to weld up any metal fixtures like Joe Schumacher did, but I've seen others use the "square-on-spar" method and designed my own. I had some heavy plywood scraps available, so I used it to fabricate most of the components. I've also seen 4" PVC pipe used as a pivot point for the outboard end and that seemed like a simple and efficient way to do it. Knowing that the center of gravity is aft of the spar, the box was mounted so the center of rotation would line up with the rib holes just behind the spar, and it worked out well. You'll note that I chose to work around the installed aileron pushrod; it was torqued and sealed and I wanted to keep it that way.
AM-JKLWcYwFEdcnqWd4y1R42Q8RTl7zxwxKFx4uUgeOzsTSW21oYgI53vAPEN6JuoxaW6w8k9tSVHCoNiGyzgkigcewb0VrIbKgDxAajLLHkRJA9gX2rw6kcVZTLy6akrfi6XOkNIu2E12PfYHWIHp5YOxks=w900-h600

AM-JKLUlj8UhL8EweX-2aAfOsAWM1XTY5bljvumPqCTQgftG3ixTEu9k7Fk86gppjfOuh3IRqb_cWJc7LjL9Vx6p-RCFrhLAnO23r2IWzYzHSKlrnjwq4FuoNeG8j3jGPUPZ7NhpME2J740J1cazQTiSiVOM=w900-h600

I used 1/4" bolts and cut nylon hose sections to serve as shims that would protect the spar holes. I wanted the extra surface area of fender washers, but they needed to be trimmed to avoid overlap.
ACtC-3f9pn4n-1u5HY2SpkWiPv-wX1iTlhk3t3naAeS6iiYh6EcGg9qKvbYiyrCXN1fyembCkfzitPnps6GSFyxKwe4YP4P7dtGyHn4fdMFQl7c5xNt_D95i5Hdy7R2knvp6wW6j-Vef5OCqSWOAO36AaORf=w900-h600

The forward clamping board was glued and screwed onto the pivot square; the aft clamping board was only screwed to the pivot square using long screws and bolted to the spar and forward clamping board. This made it easy to remove for disassembly. I considered adding some angle as additional reinforcement but it doesn't seem to be necessary.
AM-JKLU3lbuw_BF5GbBskNvshIhZikfV6CdkpNFJqQ2l7UAeFGND9U11e_wsZmKmJkk4XSNRQQ240fliM1wLq_tb9UeIjUzdN4qOqCYOryvc-J7Xe1wX0HlayThPxBLSzZ2MYyKx4s2Re5yGkeXEPh9PA8qs=w900-h600

Using a sawhorse I had on hand, I attached cleats that would hold the square firmly in place.
AM-JKLX9H1XFs54cX56B5dBxp42j1db2AWy1QCq0heNSnsfCN0OAU3ag1nUtViU63R-sk9JB0xoi0TWDteCFEb2raCD2gL5onRzZ6-XT9-3JnfQn_WXlyt6Wo0Nio6MVMbbdrFJCpSW2ojgBxjycHjwpCrKg=w900-h600

I wrapped and padded the aileron pushrod and used a small traffic cone as a guard.
ACtC-3dbLToJME0MUSasWaERLwKILPMC_SfBoSlpae4IiPwHnib5EGb8ANwZJ9DvPny3VNAjR8NjH_C-7JbxlGeLa1gXwDWDlRVM9idtLi4dgNlMtNIH0bht9hy9fsyA1PZFSlMVJ78CaGaKQrwidA7vgByo=w900-h600

I had set up both ends on a matching set of sawhorses. I had adapted the outboard end so that I had swinging room, but on the spar end I realized that the sawhorse legs would interfere with wing rotation. Since I had the wing height set and level and wanted to keep it that way, I decided to fabricate new support ends around the existing sawhorse beam, building around the legs before removing them. Fiddly... but it worked.
AM-JKLX771Ciqaplw59Y_9hSyC4AhppELonWR3NyYPUohjai00iEi4deuWx_Nn42s9v6_9lRjiUr8w7vREKGWU4zwYiZLfDP7qnHvweuBfAEhSlk4AsRaEFC4uBCb-z7Je_04pnQRBSyWzpCRthZU7-4fbuA=w900-h600

AM-JKLUI3ZbTjUBdBfAmziPsl9DCaLSR-JqEOjJct3tF9YoEL9JoJM9tQZXXSk8MSyo1yXYLE3sHKq7Fka6cUduk2sok26XZt4CFfwlVhM4q1cmR1sUV2qGgLoXEW51b7-st5Y-lxmRMKq5XFnAESP4vfj-A=w900-h600

After testing, I decided handles would be a good idea. I initially placed them incorrectly and had to make adjustments so that they wouldn't interfere with the positioning cleats. Care had to be taken when screwing the handles to the squares; some screws were shortened so as not to contact the ends of the spars.
AM-JKLVeb9lyLizeaFx_qL8dnDrf4E7C44VgVDTp2wUjVIglPRi3Z4WCZ0iX3h_8FuygtYwKErBVK1X0B_sMUh-CwiaDoswfXRrccv57hEAgw0lVsMXEmm6p2VO0X11qI36iz3kQiZN-D_Ml_N37XikqCHDm=w900-h600
 
part two:

The next three photos give a view of the outboard end. The 4" PVC pipe was cut into two 4' lengths. The pipe is inserted into the rib holes (about 3'); PVC tape was wrapped around the pipe in two places, creating a notch that would hold the rib web in place. A 4" end cap keeps the pipe from sliding off the sawhorse-mounted saddle.
ACtC-3dVAoeLlkNHCrDDTCjSFO81o49sCCJmlZoxasQGonVSYTT2oV2hvy1fjIotWkj0TF9wZ4Z0uuco_7M9xPxCa0kaV-fmBSlC2rfM92GQ9krQnRrxyCGPJsyrk5xPIG7bbq5LrC21I6mE_9RrWykICFTm=w900-h600

ACtC-3cTgqIViXBrp_RBeL8mgCEk7w4a5_xhka4XovEJVIuEqJOZhmrWbgghpMAfTpAa1BbFGZtQuAkt9Nfp0JG9ArRbovxOKdZgU4S-Ho4nP2XIxvOdfrIcNE62zPJD6bqWhHjD5dFTJZgeexk0gdYcN0-w=w900-h600

ACtC-3c58gCHYxzfeILtYYwf23cSATIrqDLYPgGSZraRcPYEM9U1LFpx6F79yi4WXJmyk77MbZEbCmJ0ufHA-4F525FduyoHOtjwF1s3YTtJCxcp7vh3elMsbXkbK-65rRuVOfvU-bOdCMrY-K-6_XJvxdbk=w900-h600

More photos of the spar square end.
AM-JKLUJUncu_13Zjgaz_9t9qb2JjEmU9Xpad8qdUGm7u3_lu6VfntMB6J6DFHI4cKNChKkIjepzVlmmutnMo71oFYZUBOjkYQmOkM2DSQ5b6RWY_D8AmYidehOCnZMF1Z0Xqqh_P-7BVGUSpH5zlEyaxX4F=w900-h600

ACtC-3eLwDEmBnGdGRObMQuomucPyBzbYPL-T1LRDvEXFJDlwDGyGdmiTZZiq6NnpjB81JSWGeEjLfkE7GaJX2I9HCWf29MibiOWH4la0zsr9RhiJghsE23a5GayYYyBQX_Fz5X4WJA1_li1bCxknwLowTJS=w900-h600

ACtC-3csmQCbmLVz_lvUeHbGOHA2qHDO8_RQXEwOKCWHtvJdeHRCbpemO5jfiilkacYl9F0CzpYljxH-cSbOSmAQ7XaY6tMvfXSqFajJ5nPxSnqAUt8YqFStCNtg7ixshBwRuR_X8sLxvP5zKgPfCKpt9xrj=w900-h600

As you can see, it all works pretty well together. Built with material on hand; the only cost was the hardware and the PVC pipe. I found it to be a viable low-cost solution. Your results may vary... I know mine did. ;)
 
Last edited:
Hey great idea. That looks like a really easy way to do it. I had thought about several methods, but none as simple and elegant.
 
Tagged....

Excellent solution! I'll lose this thread a few months from now when I need it. Maybe replying will keep it in my history.
 
Wing stand

Very nice and elegant.

I'm too lazy. I used the PVC for rotation. Slipped a long 2x4 through and supported it with a saw horse either end.
 
very nicely done Goatfleg

The next three photos give a view of the outboard end. The 4" PVC pipe was cut into two 4' lengths. The pipe is inserted into the rib holes (about 3'); PVC tape was wrapped around the pipe in two places, creating a notch that would hold the rib web in place. A 4" end cap keeps the pipe from sliding off the sawhorse-mounted saddle.
ACtC-3dVAoeLlkNHCrDDTCjSFO81o49sCCJmlZoxasQGonVSYTT2oV2hvy1fjIotWkj0TF9wZ4Z0uuco_7M9xPxCa0kaV-fmBSlC2rfM92GQ9krQnRrxyCGPJsyrk5xPIG7bbq5LrC21I6mE_9RrWykICFTm=w900-h600

ACtC-3cTgqIViXBrp_RBeL8mgCEk7w4a5_xhka4XovEJVIuEqJOZhmrWbgghpMAfTpAa1BbFGZtQuAkt9Nfp0JG9ArRbovxOKdZgU4S-Ho4nP2XIxvOdfrIcNE62zPJD6bqWhHjD5dFTJZgeexk0gdYcN0-w=w900-h600

ACtC-3c58gCHYxzfeILtYYwf23cSATIrqDLYPgGSZraRcPYEM9U1LFpx6F79yi4WXJmyk77MbZEbCmJ0ufHA-4F525FduyoHOtjwF1s3YTtJCxcp7vh3elMsbXkbK-65rRuVOfvU-bOdCMrY-K-6_XJvxdbk=w900-h600

More photos of the spar square end.
AM-JKLUJUncu_13Zjgaz_9t9qb2JjEmU9Xpad8qdUGm7u3_lu6VfntMB6J6DFHI4cKNChKkIjepzVlmmutnMo71oFYZUBOjkYQmOkM2DSQ5b6RWY_D8AmYidehOCnZMF1Z0Xqqh_P-7BVGUSpH5zlEyaxX4F=w900-h600

ACtC-3eLwDEmBnGdGRObMQuomucPyBzbYPL-T1LRDvEXFJDlwDGyGdmiTZZiq6NnpjB81JSWGeEjLfkE7GaJX2I9HCWf29MibiOWH4la0zsr9RhiJghsE23a5GayYYyBQX_Fz5X4WJA1_li1bCxknwLowTJS=w900-h600

ACtC-3csmQCbmLVz_lvUeHbGOHA2qHDO8_RQXEwOKCWHtvJdeHRCbpemO5jfiilkacYl9F0CzpYljxH-cSbOSmAQ7XaY6tMvfXSqFajJ5nPxSnqAUt8YqFStCNtg7ixshBwRuR_X8sLxvP5zKgPfCKpt9xrj=w900-h600

As you can see, it all works pretty well together. Built with material on hand; the only cost was the hardware and the PVC pipe. I found it to be a viable low-cost solution. Your results may vary... I know mine did. ;)

I especially liked your simplified engineering principals.
Way to go.
Daddyman
 
Back
Top