J'Tec test stand

My 30+ yrs. old Tatone test stand bit the dust a while back when I broke one of the lugs. In a moment of weakness, I ordered a J'Tec test stand from Tower Hobbies. The d**n thing was $30 with no tank! I had tried to find a new Tatone, but they are pretty scarce. Anyway, the base of this new one is made of square aluminum tubing. The pads and keepers are made of solid aluminum. The pads have a pin in one corner that goes in the rear hole on the engine lug to keep it from sliding around. The pads also have a hex-head screw on the side opposite the engine to allow for the keeper to remain fairly level when tightened. The thing I don't like is that they use machine bolts for securing the engine, and they want to turn as they are tightened. The next time I go to town, I'll get carriage bolts to replace them. I haven't used it, yet, but all-in-all this is probably a pretty good test stand. FYI ....Glen

> I had tried to find a new
>Tatone, but they are pretty scarce.

I bought one last year. <http://www.mecoa.com/tatone/teststands.htm>

regards,
Rick "catdaddy" Blankenship

I've been using the new stand quite a bit, now, and it works well. Replacing the machine bolts with carriage bolts did the trick. With the little guide pin in place and the levelling effect of the hex head screws, the engine is very secure, and it is not necessary to tighten the hold down bolts too much, just nice and snug, and the engine sits solid as a rock while it is running. I still think it was overpriced, but it will probably serve me as long as I last. Glen