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Author Topic:   Rotisserie
iamblackjack
Gearhead

Posts: 133
From: Magnolia, Tx, USA
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 02-24-2002 10:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for iamblackjack   Click Here to Email iamblackjack     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm looking to build or buy a rotisserie stand for my '65. I haven't looked arround a lot for a stand yet (only found the "Whirly Jig"), but I have seen a couple home made looking ones in some magazines. I've made some pretty detailed drawwings of the set up I'm considering building and I'm going to pass them across one of our (my employer's) engineer's desk tomorrow just for safety's sake.

I could really use some input on how to build one and/or where (or which one) to buy one.


Thanks, Kirk

------------------
Step one: Put car in first gear.
Step two: Slam the gas.
Step three: Release the clutch and leave all your problems in a cloud of smoke.

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mellowyellow
Gearhead

Posts: 3738
From: So. Fl.
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 02-25-2002 08:18 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mellowyellow     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The one I had was a two piece affair that looked like two huge engine stands. The front one had two arms that bolted to the bumper bracket mounts.(bad news if you're rotted out there!}. Same problem in the rear if you have rot. because the rear plate bolts to the bumper bracket bolt mount, with an arm on each side bolting to the frame. The brackets were made of 1/4" stock. It wasn't about to break. The workmanship and simple engineering that went into it was superb.

The round part that revolves inside another larger tube is about 4" in diameter and has a handle that can be threaded in to the inner 4" piece stopping it's revolving. This was at each end. The legs on the ground were about 5 to 6' long on both front and back. Each unit had casters and it could be moved. I actually rolled it down a tar mac driveway, turned it around and gently nerfed it back into the garage using the van. I crudely bolted the two ends together with a 2 x6. On one job I left the suspension on but they said to have everything off. The rear end and springs HAD to be removed.

Prior to raising car.(heavy hook over the door and a come-along} doing cvts. I used thinwall tubing, ends crimped and diagonally welded across the door openings. Two others were welded across. He marketed a brace but it was too pricey.

I kept doors on with strikers removed, with rebuilt hinges, to make sure the body had the right integrity. We did one side at a time.

The co. was in Oklahoma City and was called Fab Tech, I believe. The owner is long deceased. I used it on four cars, bought it used for 500 and sold it for 500. It was mainly made for 65/8 but the guy I sold it to was going to do a 69 Shelby.

It was advertised in MMonthly, each mo. with a small ad. They never gave him a well deserved story, but should have. He probably didn't want to give them a free one. OPINION. Will look through some back issues to see if I can find a pic.

It was a great tool but I realised that frames, t-boxes and floors could be done by raising car high and keeping it on it's weight. Never had a mis aligned job but it did have disadvantages. I look at the work done by the shop in MMonthly and they do not use one for frame work-at least by following their articles.

Sorry for long winded post but hope I was able to shed some light.

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davids68
Gearhead

Posts: 241
From: Louisville, KY, United States
Registered: Feb 2000

posted 02-25-2002 09:50 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for davids68   Click Here to Email davids68     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
http://www.mgbexperience.com/rotator/

Here is the best link I could find in researching this subject for quite a while. I have built it but haven't gotten the car on it yet.

If you go with this plan be sure to make yourself a working set of plans. There are a few discrepancies in the article.

I've seen the similar article several places on the web but this seemed to be the most complete.

HTH
David

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iamblackjack
Gearhead

Posts: 133
From: Magnolia, Tx, USA
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 02-26-2002 07:37 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for iamblackjack   Click Here to Email iamblackjack     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by davids68:
http://www.mgbexperience.com/rotator/

Here is the best link I could find in researching this subject for quite a while. I have built it but haven't gotten the car on it yet.

If you go with this plan be sure to make yourself a working set of plans. There are a few discrepancies in the article.

I've seen the similar article several places on the web but this seemed to be the most complete.

HTH
David


Thanks David. I printed that out and read it. The stand that I had drawn up is about twice as heavy duty as that one though. I'm probably WAY over building it. The way that I had planned to make mine, you'd be able to jack the car up WITH the stand and with out taking the wheels off or putting it on jack stands. It will also have two 2" rail running the full length. Each stand will have a peice of 1" acme rod to lift the car (Acme rod is like all thread but it has a square shaped thread with about 4-5 per inch instead of 8 per inch). I'll try to scan the drawwings and post them before I begin hacking up $500 worth of steel though.


Thanks again, Kirk.

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davids68
Gearhead

Posts: 241
From: Louisville, KY, United States
Registered: Feb 2000

posted 02-27-2002 05:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for davids68   Click Here to Email davids68     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
500 worth of steel? Whew. I got lucky and where I got mine was from a good friend and steel supplier/fabricator/erector we use at work all the time. I've done him several favors on the job so I made him a detailed drawing and he cut up the parts for me. He said it was about 70 dollars worth of steel to him. All in all buying grade 8 bolts, drill bits, welding wire, paint, etc. already had wheels, mine cost me about 70 complete.

I'm planning on lifting mine with a small modification at the bottom of the rotator arm, a fabricated bracket to make use of the holes up the masts on each end, and a bottle jack. I also wasn't too impressed with just putting the wheels on the 4 ft. arm at the bottom of the main support. So I took more tube steel and made pieces to slide into the bottom of the main support and lower the bottom of the "T" along with giving it a little wider stance on the ends.

This one is for a bare shell which is the point my car is at now so I don't believe the weight will be a problem. The article said it should handle 2000 pounds and my friend said he didn't see a problem with it.

One thing you might want to consider though is having just one brace between the stands. I think it will save you a bunch of stumped toes or ankles when working on the car.

BTW I know that link for it is from an MGB site but I've seen pic's of Chevelle's, Chargers, and several other large body cars on the same design in various places on the web.

But as you said also you plan on leaving the suspension, rear end and all on the car so you'rs would need to be heavier built.

David

Just a thought but since you're palnning on leaving the suspension take a look at this site.

http://www.accessiblesystems.com/

Perhaps the tilter would be more in order. Then you wouldn't have to remove the bumper, etc..

[This message has been edited by davids68 (edited 02-27-2002).]

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iamblackjack
Gearhead

Posts: 133
From: Magnolia, Tx, USA
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 03-09-2002 08:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for iamblackjack   Click Here to Email iamblackjack     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks for the input. I'm 90% done with my stand now. I decided to use a couple of 1500 lbs wenches to lift the car. The wenches have brakes on them so it will be easy to lower the car. I'm also doubling up with a shiv wheel. It all works kinda like a sheet rock jack. I also built it kinda moduler. It all breaks down and can be stored under a work bench. I'll post some pictures soon.

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