The "corkscrew" type of tiedown appear to be the most worthless type of
tiedowns. I use the tiedown set from Sporty's pilot shop. It comes
with 3 tiedown rods. They have an auger at the lower end that is about
3 or 4 inches in diameter. It is a miniature version of what is
commonly used as anchors for guy wires in tower construction. I keep
the box in the baggage compartment at all times. I also have a piece of
old ground rod about 12 to 14 inches long (so it also fits into the
box). It is a steel ground rod coated with copper. I use this to twist
the tiedowns into the ground. Works good at Oshkosh, where the ground
is usually pretty hard with a rock or two as well.

Scott, N0EDV
http://corbenflyer.tripod.com/
Building RV-4
Gotta Fly or Gonna Die


Jim Weir wrote:
(Ben Jackson)
shared these priceless pearls of wisdom:

-
-It mentions in one sentence near the end (last column) that he threaded
-it, and warns to get the bolts tight before you start whacking them with
-a hammer and ruining the threads.

Got it. Completely missed that sentence. Am I reading that right? That he
actually EXPECTS the exposed rod threads to peen over against the top nut? I
sort of would like to be able to disassemble it because I'm sure that the
flatwasher (or is that a lockwasher?) is going to bend and break after a couple
of dozen uses. Or, I could simply hacksaw the threaded part off and rethread
it. I doubt 18" is going to hold much tighter than 17".


Jim



Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com