My "Heli Wagon"
#1

So I'm fortunate enough to live within walking distance of a nice little park where I can fly 500 and smaller helis. Previously, I would stuff a couple extra batteries in my pockets, grab the helo in one hand, the radio in the other, and then walk over and fly. It wasn't tough, but I often wanted to bring all eight of my 3X 2200's, or more than one helo.
So looking around my garage at some scrap materials, I decided to to create what I call my "Heli Wagon."
It's a simple PVC pipe frame with the fittings I had on hand. The bottom 2 inches of each leg is halved to fit into the lugs where the side panels used to go. I built in a little tension in the legs, the friction fit keeps it from popping out over small bumps.
I'm all about simple, and the platform is some scrap fiberboard from some furniture shipping crates, attached by heavy zip ties. The rails are sign stakes I bought but didn't use, and the screws are all scrap from the bottom of a toolbox. I don't need the high security of skid clamps, so I just used some stick on wire retainers I bought for dirt cheap.
I still have to add a hanger for my radio and some sort of sun shade, but the major part is done. Thought I'd share the idea.
So looking around my garage at some scrap materials, I decided to to create what I call my "Heli Wagon."
It's a simple PVC pipe frame with the fittings I had on hand. The bottom 2 inches of each leg is halved to fit into the lugs where the side panels used to go. I built in a little tension in the legs, the friction fit keeps it from popping out over small bumps.
I'm all about simple, and the platform is some scrap fiberboard from some furniture shipping crates, attached by heavy zip ties. The rails are sign stakes I bought but didn't use, and the screws are all scrap from the bottom of a toolbox. I don't need the high security of skid clamps, so I just used some stick on wire retainers I bought for dirt cheap.
I still have to add a hanger for my radio and some sort of sun shade, but the major part is done. Thought I'd share the idea.
#3
#9

That rocks! My neighbors already look at me funny because I fry turkey ... I think they're fearing the day a car on blocks appears! I can only imagine what they'd think if I rolled out of the garage in this!
#10
Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 543


Ironically, the guy who made this was actually using it on a road when he was pulled over by the cops. He was ultimately arrested for...guess what, DUI. Go figure!

#11

After using this now for a few months, a couple things I wish I'd done differently:
- Taller platform. Bending over to work on the helos is rough on the back. When I rebuild, I'll make the platform higher
- Larger Platform. With more than one helo, there's not a lot of working area. A larger platform, perhaps one with leaves that fold up like a table might be a nice addition.
- Drink holder (as suggested earlier)
- Hangar of some sort for transmitter
- Chevy 327 w/ posi-traction drive train (kidding...couldn't resist)
- Taller platform. Bending over to work on the helos is rough on the back. When I rebuild, I'll make the platform higher
- Larger Platform. With more than one helo, there's not a lot of working area. A larger platform, perhaps one with leaves that fold up like a table might be a nice addition.
- Drink holder (as suggested earlier)
- Hangar of some sort for transmitter
- Chevy 327 w/ posi-traction drive train (kidding...couldn't resist)