Auto Rotisserie

[mcguijo]

Has anyone ever used one of these Auto Rotisseries before.

web page

Seems like it would be quite effective for working on the underside of a body tub. However, the price seems a little steep.

 

[JamesWilson]

These do seem the solution to working on the underside. There are a lot of people out there fabricating them too. I've thought a lot about building one myself and have done a little research:

One constructed from steel:
https://www.team.net/www/morgan/tech/rotator/rotator.htm

One made from engine stands for a mustang, with plans:
https://www.autorestorer.com/articles/art106.html

For a Spitfire, based on engine stands:
https://www.ponypics.com/spitfire/rotisserie.html

One I think a little odd, for a spridget, its basically a wood frame half-circle mount:
https://www.ado13.com/flip/flipper.html

And one built from a pair of engine stands for a big Healey:
https://members.aol.com/MOWOGMAN/JRH3.html

One point you'd need to think carefully about is the suitability of the attachment points for supporting the car's weight without distorting the chassis. I cannot recall whether any of the pages cited include a full underframe that would support the chassis at multiple points (as I've seen somewhere) or if they just rely on the mounts for the bumpers.

Another issue would be a proper balance for the contraption so that the center of gravity would allow you to easily turn the car and not have it imbalanced. Adding body components may affect that too.

I've not built one, and don't think that I will, after all. My garage is just too small.

 

[Cottontop]

Here are a couple of other alternatives that I have used for working on the underside of a chassis.

Tim

 

[mcguijo]

These are all fantastic ideas. The wooden (uncoventional) frame looks cheap and easy. I'm guessing this would work for my TR. If I'd guess, the weight of my TR3 tub is not much more then a 200 lbs.

I figured with steel at the prices that they are I'd be looking at around $450 for parts. I'm sure as everyone else on this forum, I'd much be spending my money on actual restoration then expensive (albiet really cool /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif ) tools.

As for Cottontop's engine hoist. .what is supporting the rear end of the vehicle (2nd photo)? I essentially need to get under the tub to high pressure spray, media blast, prime and paint.

 

[John Loftus]

I made a wooden structure for my big Healey frame. It allowed me (with a helper) to turn the frame/superstructure on all four sides and took up less room for storage in my garage (with the frame on it's side). It cost me about $50 in lumber and hardware and I built it in a few hours.

https://www.loftusdesign.net/restorationweb/photos/photo_47.html

Cheers,
John

 

[mcguijo]

The wooden frame idea is interesting. I've got to think how I could do it with the large front wheel wheels of the TR3.

BTW. . great looking Healey. Did you sand it all to bare metal by hand? Patient man if the case.

 

[John Loftus]

[ QUOTE ]
Did you sand it all to bare metal by hand?

[/ QUOTE ]

The frame and the steel panels were media blasted (I would look for someone who does soda blasting next time). Most of the paint on the shrouds was softened with a carborized flame (very little oxygen) and using a scrapper when the paint started to bubble.

 

[56freebie]

Here is a picture of another version of a rotisserie. Two Big round Hoops. The bodyman modified his Volkswagen Rotisserie to fit my Austin Healey 100M.

 

[56freebie]

Opps /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif No picture for last post A little new to this
Try This
Rotisserie for 100
Rotisserie 2 Rotissure 3 Rotissure 4

 

[Banjo]

The low budget alternative is an old matress. Not nearley as clever, but usually can be found for free and disposed of after use. (not reccomended if grinding or welding will be involved)

 

[SilentUnicorn]

John,

are those 2x6 or 2x8's? pretty sweet being able to store on its side.

mark