Amateur airplane builders have been using some sort of third hand to hold the cowling during trimming and fitting since “nacelle” entered the English language. As a result, several variations of this tool have made the rounds—most recently hefty aluminum versions retailing in the $400 range or requiring a machine shop to fabricate on your own.
Now Blake Frazier at Cleaveland Tool has dragged the idea into the 21st century by developing a more affordable, lightweight version of this specialized device.
Craftily named the Cowling Installation Tool and priced at $150, the key innovation is that it’s 3D printed. That makes it easy and inexpensive to produce—a major advantage for a specialty tool most builders will use only once. Which isn’t to say they won’t be fundamentally pleased to have rigid, stable help holding the cowling in position relative to the propeller hub during trimming.
The tool attaches to the cowling at one end and to the crankshaft prop flange at the other, providing secure alignment.
Blake says he’s shipping the new tool “as fast as they come off the printer,” so they’re available now.
