So I want to build a rotisserie for my Roadster project. I'm thinking of something like an engine stand setup that bolts to the rear and front bumper mount areas and connect the 2 ends across the bottom with a removable "spreader" bar! Use some good heavy swivel casters so I can roll it around the garage easily and build the end uprights just tall enough to allow the chassis to clear the spreader bar.
Has anyone built one - have some tips, ideas, pics, etc.? I have a couple engine stands that I can use for mock up and then fab everything from scratch or just pick up a couple used engine stands off of craigslist that I can cut up?
Anyone know the weight of the stripped chassis? No suspension, Doors, glass - bare - naked?
My friend has been working on one basically like you describe, except without the spreader bar. I don't think it's required if it's solid and properly bolted to the bumper supports. He uses two large (length, not capacity) hydraulic jacks (one each end) to jack up the pieces bolted to the supports. The main vertical post is large gauge square channel with a "T" base. The hydraulic jack lifts a slightly larger square channel that rides up the vertical post. The rotary portion is connected to this outer square channel. It's a simple design, and I think it requires 2 people to jack the car up evenly...but it would be simple enough to modify. He said there is a forum dedicated to rotisseries...that's where he got the info for his design.
The one in this picture was a loaner, but it was built with hybrid of cherry picker legs and engine stand upright/pivot. It also had some 70's bumper jacks on the ends as well so it could be raised/lowered. We removed the bumpers and drilled a plate to attach to the stock bumper mounts. It really was handy doing all the fab work and welding with the car inverted:
If you are designing it yourself, don't forget to ensure there is a way to balance the car, i.e. make sure you can adjust the centerline of rotation so the weight is balanced top and bottom...otherwise the car could flip and you'd never get it upright
The one in this picture was a loaner, but it was built with hybrid of cherry picker legs and engine stand upright/pivot. It also had some 70's bumper jacks on the ends as well so it could be raised/lowered. We removed the bumpers and drilled a plate to attach to the stock bumper mounts. It really was handy doing all the fab work and welding with the car inverted:
Oh wow I'm jealous, no more overhead welding, or struggling to get into tight areas
Here's a picture of one I built for my 66 Nova I restored:
The uprights (have green paint on them) are old semi trailer jacks mounted upside down, cut the foot off and welded on a wheel bearing hub for rotation. They can be cranked up/down to adjust the body height & the car spins with one hand. The rest was mostly scrap steel except the bottom connectors, two long pieces of 2x2. It worked great, the car was on it for 3 years, finally finished it in 2011.
Hello Here is a pics of the plans I have ..... if you need them let me know .... the weight of a barebone spaceframe without doors or craddle 690 pounds
Also, if you strip the car of the panels, interior and drivetrain (to make it as light as possible), then you can just flip the car over on its roof using a cherry picker. Place some jack stands to the bumper support front/rear and then do all the reinforcement work with it on its top. This is how I did my first roadster:
Here is a pictorial I took when I flipped over a frame rack I was building. Works the same with a stripped down fiero chassis:
[This message has been edited by fieroguru (edited 10-18-2013).]
Thanks for the plans! I'll be headed in that direction using some tips from Guru! I have 2 Cherry pickers that I can use for the bases, I found a couple 7000 lb square tube trailer jacks I will use for he uprights so I can raise and lower that chassis - I'll be using these for another frame off project when the Roadster is done.
Guru,
That's quite an under frame you built there! I'll send you a PM with a few questions - looking for your opinion!
CarverToo - Thanks for that link - lots of useful items there.
The uprights (have green paint on them) are old semi trailer jacks mounted upside down, cut the foot off and welded on a wheel bearing hub for rotation. They can be cranked up/down to adjust the body height & the car spins with one hand. The rest was mostly scrap steel except the bottom connectors, two long pieces of 2x2. It worked great, the car was on it for 3 years, finally finished it in 2011.
I love it when a plan comes together out of scrap metal.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
Several years ago there was something called an automotive tilter. The car was jacked up and two arch shaped steel members were bolted to the hubs. Next a jack powered by an electric drill was used to tilt the vehicle over on the steel rockers. We used to see this device sold at the auto shows but the device seems to have been discontinued. The setup not only looked dangerous it most likely placed undue stress on the wheel hubs. I would also think that the battery and engine fluids would need to be removed. For the fool hearty here it is: Automotive Tilter
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
if someone emails me I have pics of the one we made for our fiero project. puts it way up in the air and allowed us to access everything. Sorry i cant load pics.
, if only I could do that on the street in front of the house where I do all my work 
