Rotisserie or Build Table

[motofiaccone]

Hi All:

I think I'm going to be able to sneak away for a bit and finally start breaking the Midget down. Hopefully, by this time next week, she's be completely stripped.

So the question is, do I build/buy a rotisserie or will a simple 4'x8' build table work? Mind you, the car's body is a pretty good condition, so a majority of the work will be installing the 5-valve 4A-GE. Though nice because the entire can can be flipped, the rotisserie seems counter-productive tot he engine swap idea.

This is the first frame-off (so to speak) resot/mod I've done, so any help is appreciated.

--Thanks, Chris

 

[tosoutherncars]

Hi Chris,

How much floor work and lower bodywork do you have to do?

I've got a full rotisserie for my 'project' car (see the VW in my thread) but if you're not doing a HUGE amount of work, I would suggest bracing the doors and doing a wooden rotisserie. I know, it sounds odd, but they are cheap and work very well... let me find you a link or two.

 

[tosoutherncars]

Can also be built to flip both ways...

Of course, there's always the option of simply adapting two engine stands. Cheap and easy...

 

[motofiaccone]

Hi Duncan:

Thanks for that info. The bodywork and floor pans look good, though does one really know without tearing into the car first?

Always the dilemna...It honestly looks like both a rotisserie and a build table are in order. The more I look at that wooden jobbie, the more like it. However, I want whatever I build to have wheels.

--Chris

 

[tosoutherncars]

Hi Chris,

Yes, I've seen them built with either wheels w. brakes, or pop-up wheels. Honestly, having spent about $400 on steel, and a fair amount of time building mine, in retrospect I would probably go with the wood option.

The nice thing, I suppose, is that if I want to restore a '59 Cadillac next, my rotisserie will be strong enough to handle that, too! =P

For the record, here's mine... project is a '77 Rabbit, complete floor and inner & outer rocker replacement.

 

[John Moore]

What is that? A gremilin?! lol

 

[jlaird]

Wonderful, always nice to see what others are doing and adapting.

 

[mccalebr]

I went the two-engine-stand route. About a day to construct and under $200. If you decide to do one like mine, you might want to check out the attachment brackets I made...complete access to all major panels.

Details at: https://www.raysmg.com/rays_mg_midget_rotisserie.htm

Ray

 

[jlaird]

Boy oh boy is that a nice garage Ray. Congrats on a job well done.

 

[mccalebr]

Boy oh boy is that a nice garage Ray. Congrats on a job well done.

I just did an update, Jack, on the web site. I'll work up a post for the BCF here in a week or two...still have to get the floor paint (U-Coat-It) down and the cabinets installed before I can say "it's done"!

BTW...the lift is in and WORKS...and I did the entire install by myself! Can be done...with a plan and a few basic tools that most of us have in the garage. Had to make ONE call to the tech support folks where I bought the lift to confirm the bleeding procedure for the hydraulics...did that this morning and now it's smoooooooooooth!

Ray

 

[jlaird]

When do the carpets and pictures go in. Oh yea no shelf yet for trophies and such.

Wheeee, looking good Ray.

 

[JPSmit]

FWIW I went with the 2X4 wood rotisserie - $15 ($60 with wheels)

https://tinyurl.com/4h5rob

Lousy pic I know - but it worked great

 

[mccalebr]

When do the carpets and pictures go in. Oh yea no shelf yet for trophies and such.

Wheeee, looking good Ray.

Pictures are sitting in the house, waiting for me to get a day for hanging. No carpet...maybe a few anti-fatigue runners over the painted concrete floor.

There's a section of peg-board that goes over two of the short cabinets that will be good for displaying memorabilia from past shows and such.

Ray