"Balance Bug" CG Plane Balancer

[Jets and Wings]

Jets and Wings, Very Cool. I have seen this and thought it might be worthy, but couldn't pull the trigger without more information. You should do a video. Best, Steve

Hi Elbee, I can do a video about the CG Wizard balancer if there is interst for this. Well my intention was not to say it is a must have. There are for sure cheaper versions to balance planes. Just wanted to show what is also available! Some will like it, some will not, as always...

Always HAPPY LANDINGS....Robert

[Elbee]

Yes it is very cool but I think it is way too pricey($250) for the average Joe...I'd be curious see what someone thinks of that if they happen to step up and buy it.

Thanks OV, At 250 beans, I'll believe I'll have to pass. I will check out your previous posts about your CG balancer. I have the Crewzinn Work Station and I like it lots. Best, LB

[OV10]

Yes it is very cool but I think it is way too pricey($250) for the average Joe when the price of this threads topic "WAS" reasonably affordable($30)and got satisfactory results.
The Zicoy balancer works the same as the Wizard and is in the same price rance too.
Unfortunately the $30 device was discontinued by Great Planes. Now the next affordable one appears to be the EZ Balancer Lite @ $95 from Dreamworks who is one of the authorized distributors for EZ Balancer.
I built my own similar to the EZ Balance almost two years ago as shown on post #43
The CrewZinn work/CG stand mentioned a couple posts back rolls out at $109.
Just recently there is a seller on Ebay that is doing PLA printed CG machines for $100 that incorporates all the functions that I did with the one I built.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RC-Plane-Ce...4383.l4275.c10
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RC-Plane-Ce...MAAOSwyqleUcyy
Really nice looking unit in red or yellow I'd be curious see what someone thinks of that if they happen to step up and buy it.

[Elbee]

Jets and Wings, Very Cool. I have seen this and thought it might be worthy, but couldn't pull the trigger without more information. You should do a video. Best, Steve

[Jets and Wings]

Got a nice tool for testing called "CG Wizard". The CG is measured like it is done with the big ones. Just put the wheels on the scales, measure the distance, put the laser on the manufacturers given point and move the battery forward or backward until the values are the same! Very easy and also works for warbirds. The free app works on Apple or Android and is available in different languages! It works perfect. I compared it with other CG testers and this one really works great.

[KnuckleCurve]

Thanks fellas... I wish I had more time to hang around these forums like I used to, but I'm not going to complain about this business keeping me busy! Really happy to hear that you like your stand. Happy flying!

[Grossman56]

I know this thread is a little dated... but for anybody looking for options here, here is another CG testing option, plus you get a beautiful work stand out of the bargain too:

www.crewzinn.com

I got one for Christmas and love it! Its so portable, I can take it to the field and advertise it to the other guys. I love the ease of use for the CG.

Grossman56

[Elbee]

KC, Just caught this post. Welcome to Hobby Squawk. Best, LB

[KnuckleCurve]

I know this thread is a little dated... but for anybody looking for options here, here is another CG testing option, plus you get a beautiful work stand out of the bargain too:

https://www.crewzinn.com

[Twowingtj]

Nice WBC. Good luck on the maidens:Cool:.

[OV10]

So the final staging area for the birds CG measure is my sweeties 4 season room. She constantly reminds me that it is NOT a hangar. The LX P-40 and the FMS 1700 Corsair have been in there since the new year.
Well today the newly fabricated balancer did it's job on them as well as a recently almost ready to go 80" O-2 Skymaster. Just need to finalize the canopy mount for it now.
All 3 are go to go for their maidens :Cool:

[Grossman56]

Hey, I like that!!
I'm always battling with those pins anyways, they always want to face backwards, that's a great idea and simple too!:Cool:

Grossman56

[OV10]

Since it was a cool and dreary rainy event all day in upstate NY, I decided to get the CG machine built to handle my developing giant scale fleet.
Harvested the horizontal spreader rods and the sliding millimeter rule from the GP balancer that has seen it's better days.
Some 1/2" 1/8 thick alum angle and 3/8 U-channel at less than $10 from Lowes, a couple 4/40 sockets screws and some self adhesive foam tape.
Viola'.......... 3 hrs of crafting fun and a stand that is as robust as the $80+ EZ Balancer but with the scale adjuster of the GP machine emerges.

[bob_stan]

I have only used it on light foamies, but the weight should be no problem. I had some difficulty in getting my head around how it worked until I finally realized it does not show you where the CG SHOULD BE but where the CG IS. Once I grasped that, its operation was crystal clear. Should have made it clear I am referring to a Vanessa CG machine.

[Twowingtj]

Getting ready to try the Vanessa CG method myself for the first time. About two weeks from doing the CG on a 35 pounder.

[bob_stan]

+ 1 for a home-made Vanessa CG machine. If you do any kind of modeling or building at home you probably have all the ingredients just lying around the workshop. Works great.

[BluesDragon]

I've had great success utilizing the GP balancer with each of my planes..and I'm pretty OCD. If pictures on the wall are outta balance, even slightly, I will notice and have to reset them. Most of the time I can eyeball the center within 1/16-1/8 of an inch. Drives the wife crazy(er) then me! So far, I've yet to have to trim my elevator(s) much at all. Have done the 'GP balancer dance', but now I just get my son to stand by the tail end while I set my rulers to specs. With the Corsair, I was able to get it right on manufacture's suggested range of 85mm-90mm. Wheels up at one point and wheels down on the other. Works well enough for me. ;)

[F22trainer]

This looks much better than the Great Planes machine that I have. I think the GP is grossly overpriced and a bit finicky.

'Grossly' is an understatement- you can make a more accurate one with some good aluminum tube, some aluminum angle, some rubber tips and a few threaded studs with knobs.

[BILLY BOY]

Well call me foolish, but I am going to pony up the cash for the EZ Balancer Lite. Heard back from the owner and he said that they have accurately balanced planes weighing less than 1lb.
I plan on buying more planes in the future, so I will put it to good use for sure....

http://www.ezbalancer.com/id74.html

This looks much better than the Great Planes machine that I have. I think the GP is grossly overpriced and a bit finicky.

[Pogo]