Way too cheap to buy a $1500+ sidewinder

[tim417]

This is so cool. I'm on the list so I am super excited (and so is the lower back!)

[hammdo]

@bcg, don’t forget the J spinner is different (I have on on my C) ;o)

-Don

[tim417]

12 minutes ago, hammdo said:

@bcg, don’t forget the J spinner is different (I have on on my C) ;o)

-Don

Ah yes, I have a spinner like that on my C model as well!

[bcg]

5 hours ago, hammdo said:

@bcg, don’t forget the J spinner is different (I have on on my C) ;o)

-Don

Yeah, I sent one to a guy in Florida a couple of weeks ago that has a J.  I tried it out on one that was at Dugosh before I sent it to make sure it would work, it stays below the spinner so clearance isn't an issue.  The one I tested it on had a 3 blade prop also.

[redbaron1982]

This is awesome! Thanks for sharing. 

What motor are you using? 

[bcg]

This is awesome! Thanks for sharing. 
What motor are you using? 

The one I linked a few posts back. It's a gear reduction bike/scooter motor.

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

[redbaron1982]

14 minutes ago, bcg said:

The one I linked a few posts back. It's a gear reduction bike/scooter motor.

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk
 

Cool, thanks. I don't know how I missed that post!

[AndreiC]

On 4/30/2024 at 12:22 PM, bcg said:

Thanks, after 4 or 5 iterations, I'm happy with it now.

1 - I can make a fair profit at $500, plus shipping, without the batteries.  I'm not a big fan of the way people tend to charge a lot just because, airplane so I'm not going to add an "airplane markup" into this.  I built it to use tool batteries and can put the adapters for DeWalt, Ryobi, Kobalt or Milwaukee.  I haven't looked but can probably find them for Makita or Hitachi also, that way there's no need to buy another battery or chargers.

2 - 19 pounds, it's pretty light for what it is.  Most of the weight is in the motor.

3 - Kerville.  I shipped one to Florida for $25 so, shipping isn't terrible.

I'll buy one for $500 -- when and where can I order one?

[bcg]

10 minutes ago, AndreiC said:

I'll buy one for $500 -- when and where can I order one?

Shoot me an email, bernie@graniers.com with -

• Tail number
• What brand cordless tools you use
• Color preference, I've got Black, Desert Tan and White on hand.  I can order others if you want something special.
• Shipping address

I just put a video of it in use on YouTube, it's still processing.  I forgot to bring the GoPro and tripod so I did it with my cell phone, it's not the greatest video but, it shows how it works.

 

[hammdo]

Must be still processing…

-Don

[bcg]

Must be still processing…
-Don

I don't know what's going on with YT, I may have to try it again from a computer in the morning. It should be working by now.

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[Hank]

1 hour ago, bcg said:

I don't know what's going on with YT, I may have to try it again from a computer in the morning. It should be working by now.

I saw the thumbnail a couple of hours ago. Haven't watched it yet, things are going on here.

[Fly Boomer]

21 hours ago, bcg said:

The one I linked a few posts back. It's a gear reduction bike/scooter motor.

If I understand correctly, your tug drives the NLG tire and, when being used, no part of the tug is in contact with the ground, so it must be lifted up to engage with the truss, and then lowered to allow contact between your tire and the airplane tire.  That said, it makes me wonder how much it weighs, and how difficult it is to get into position before use.  While I'm not super happy with my current tug, it is supported by its own tires throughout the engagement and disengagement processes, and I don't have to lift anything to use it.

[Skates97]

16 minutes ago, Fly Boomer said:

If I understand correctly, your tug drives the NLG tire and, when being used, no part of the tug is in contact with the ground, so it must be lifted up to engage with the truss, and then lowered to allow contact between your tire and the airplane tire.  That said, it makes me wonder how much it weighs, and how difficult it is to get into position before use.  While I'm not super happy with my current tug, it is supported by its own tires throughout the engagement and disengagement processes, and I don't have to lift anything to use it.

 

On 4/30/2024 at 12:17 PM, Hank said:

That looks pretty nice!

The important questions are:

1. What are you selling them for?
2. How much does it weigh?
3. Where are you? (for pickup or shipping costs)

Thanks!

 

On 4/30/2024 at 12:22 PM, bcg said:

Thanks, after 4 or 5 iterations, I'm happy with it now.

1 - I can make a fair profit at $500, plus shipping, without the batteries.  I'm not a big fan of the way people tend to charge a lot just because, airplane so I'm not going to add an "airplane markup" into this.  I built it to use tool batteries and can put the adapters for DeWalt, Ryobi, Kobalt or Milwaukee.  I haven't looked but can probably find them for Makita or Hitachi also, that way there's no need to buy another battery or chargers.

2 - 19 pounds, it's pretty light for what it is.  Most of the weight is in the motor.

3 - Kerville.  I shipped one to Florida for $25 so, shipping isn't terrible.

 

[bcg]

If I understand correctly, your tug drives the NLG tire and, when being used, no part of the tug is in contact with the ground, so it must be lifted up to engage with the truss, and then lowered to allow contact between your tire and the airplane tire.  That said, it makes me wonder how much it weighs, and how difficult it is to get into position before use.  While I'm not super happy with my current tug, it is supported by its own tires throughout the engagement and disengagement processes, and I don't have to lift anything to use it.

The package I sent to Florida was 19 pounds, which includes the box and packing material. I'm going to get a better video that shows assembly and putting it on the plane in addition to its use. One of my primary goals was for this to be something that can go in the plane, I couldn't figure out a good way to do that which put the wheels on the ground.

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[bcg]

Newborn tow bars with fresh powder coating.  I'm still waiting on some of the parts but, I expect to begin shipping orders this week.  Once these cool, I'll get them over to the laser and etch the tail numbers on them.

[bcg]

I'm getting close to getting these finished up. I ran out of MIG wire yesterday and was unaware I didn't have another spool so that's held me up on the bottom half of these. I'll have more here Monday so, in the meantime I'm finishing up wiring the top half. I should start shipping towards the end of next week.

I'm still working on the assembly video. The editing to make it coherent takes a little effort. I'll have it up sometime this month.

 

**Edit to add a couple of pictures of what goes in the box

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk
 

[tim417]

Wow! Nice work. I’m excited!

 

Tim

[bcg]

Orders are starting to ship, I should have everything ordered before 5/7 shipped this week. Hopefully some of the recipients will give us some feedback on how they like them.

I'm heading to the airport to shoot some more video for a demo. In editing what I had, I wasn't really happy with the results so I'm going to get some other angles to improve it.

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[hammdo]

Got mine and tried it out! Bernie ( @bcg) is tweaking mine but once you get the hang of it, works great (don’t go full throttle ;o)

-Don

[Jetpilot86]

Got on the list earlier in the week.

I'm now committed to my new paint job and tail number changed since I'm having the new Tail number put on the tug. 

[ArtVandelay]

Well, Ive used this for a while now, the tire just doesn’t get enough traction. It slips and 1 of 2 things have happened, the chain breaks or the tire tube fill breaks off. Any suggestions?  I’m thinking a solid and fatter tire would work better.

[bcg]

Well, Ive used this for a while now, the tire just doesn’t get enough traction. It slips and 1 of 2 things have happened, the chain breaks or the tire tube fill breaks off. Any suggestions?  I’m thinking a solid and fatter tire would work better.

Send me an email and we'll work it out. bernie@graniers.com

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[Jetpilot86]

On 5/11/2024 at 8:54 AM, bcg said:

I'm getting close to getting these finished up. I ran out of MIG wire yesterday and was unaware I didn't have another spool so that's held me up on the bottom half of these. I'll have more here Monday so, in the meantime I'm finishing up wiring the top half. I should start shipping towards the end of next week.

I'm still working on the assembly video. The editing to make it coherent takes a little effort. I'll have it up sometime this month.

 

**Edit to add a couple of pictures of what goes in the box

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk
 

I see my Ryobi based model in the back :-) 

I’ve got a few cycles on mine now and have had no issues as I figured how it likes to work. Higher air pressure and solid pressure on the wheel for traction. 
Just need to figure out how to reverse the direction switch. It’s wired backwards to what I think is logical. 
 

I have found with my Bravo that I have to hook up the wheel section, then attach the handle section because of the hub clearance. 
 

I set up a carrying case for it. All total with batteries and charger is about 30# for the kit. 

[bcg]

I see my Ryobi based model in the back :-) 
I’ve got a few cycles on mine now and have had no issues as I figured how it likes to work. Higher air pressure and solid pressure on the wheel for traction. 
Just need to figure out how to reverse the direction switch. It’s wired backwards to what I think is logical. 
 
I have found with my Bravo that I have to hook up the wheel section, then attach the handle section because of the hub clearance. 
 
I set up a carrying case for it. All total with batteries and charger is about 30# for the kit. 

Shoot me an email, I can help you fix the switch and have made some changes for the longer nosed 6 cylinder models that'll let you put it on in 1 piece. A quick fix though, is to turn the nose wheel.to one side, that'll gain you some clearance.

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