[DPeterson3]

It seems like the prep work is 80% of the labor to get a project done, followed by the remaining 80% of course. Here are some pics of a rotisserie I built. I looked at the ones in Eastwood, and couldn't figure out how I'd attach the end pieces to the uni-body, some of which has rust. So, I made a simple ladder frame that extends all the way under the car, with detachable caster bars, and detachable stand-offs for when I need to rotate the shell. It rolls very easily, and I estimated the center of gravity close enough that I can turn it 90 degrees by myself. A bit closer would have been nice, but wanted to avoid getting it wrong and having it turn turtle at unexpected moments.

The jacks are from my aviation world. Once the stand-offs are slid into place, I can jack the shell up about 18" - 24". More than enough the turn the car entirely upside down if I want. The stand-offs are removable to help give access for body work.

Note that a previous effort at body repair included galvanized rocker panels. I haven't taken the paint off yet, but suspect they're just pop riveted in place, and bondo'd. They wrapped the ends around what were probably rusted wheel openings, so this whole area is going to have get close attention. Ick.

Don

 

[DPeterson3]

more jig pics

A few more shots of the jig, and the shell showing interesting galvanized rockers.

Don

 

[BWB]

Don
Thanks for sharing those images, I'm trying to get all the good ideas I can to build my rotisserie to rebuild my 2600 as soon as I've got a new workshop. As you can guess its a long term project
I hope you'll post lots more pictures as you "dig" into it and start the fabricating.
Have a good New Year
regards
Bryan

 

[DPeterson3]

Bryan,

I just added side braces to the stand-pipes in order to take some of the twisting load when the body shell is positioned on its side. I'll post some pics shortly, but the idea was to make the end-posts removable so the body shop would have clear access to the front and back of the car.

The primary structure is 2" square tube of 1/8" wall thickness. The smaller bracing bits are 1" square tube. I have less than perfect confidence in my skill as a welder, so am hoping this thread doesn't end with a tragic picture. Still, the fun is in the doing, so there you go.

I'd estimate the total cost of my rotisserie to be $600 - $800, including the jacks that I already owned, and the casters that a buddy gave to me. The steel alone was about $400.

There is some bending of the 2" ladder tubes when I raise the car, but not enough that I'm worried about failure. The trade off was lighter tubes vs stiffer tubes. Today I'm going to remove the caster bars to see if it moves the center of gravity upward enough to allow one-hand rotation.

Enjoy the day,

Don

 

[DPeterson3]

Rotisserie Test

There's that moment when you turn it over and hope that your ugly welds are more structural than artistic.

The worst of the work ahead appears to be along the "frame rails" on the right side. Some similar problems, but not quite so bad, on the left. Of course, the floor board are toast, and various wheel well metal and the rockers. Long road...

Don

 

[benicia 2600]

Rotisserie for alfa 2600

Hi
My project has come a long way, and i should be selling a professionally made rotisserie. I am located in the bay area(san Francisco). I payed $1,200 and have been offered $700 from the body shop. I would rather give a deal to a fellow alfa owner. Please let me know if interested.
Regards
Herve

 

[Subtle]

Interesting project.

 

[DPeterson3]

I was concerned about mounting somewhere in the trunk, so made my attach to the rear trailing arm mounts. Nice and sturdy down there. I'd say the body shop is looking for a steal.

keep grinnin'

 

[RichardM]

Any other designs?

Hi - I'm getting to the point of wanting to tackle the underside of my 102 and am in search of either a rotisserie or a design for one. Don's design in this post looks like it works well but I don't have those nifty tall jacks and I don't have much space at both ends of the car. Does anyone have any other designs? I saw this design on a recent post for a 1900 which seems quite compact and also this really simple design from a Giulietta post where it seems you have to lift the body on to its side. I haven't learnt to weld (yet) so a design that uses good old nuts and bolts is preferred!

Many thanks

Richard

 

[ewbroberg]

Here is mine. I also struggled to figure out how to attach it. I like Don's approach better than mine. But that said I have had my car on the rotisserie, mostly completely sideways, for the past 3 years. I use 3/4 inch threaded rod to pick the car off the ground. I made a slip joints much like the way bicycle necks are attached, to attach the back of the car at the bumper brackets. I apologize for the bad quality photos (I can't figure out my pictures are rotated).

 

[RichardM]

Rotisserie for tight spaces

I thought I'd share some pictures of a rotisserie design that some might find useful. I'm working in my garage and don't have room for a traditional rotisserie that spans from front to back of the car. My 2000 spider only just fits lengthwise in my garage and so I had to design something that would be shorter than the length of the car. It only pivots the car by 50 degrees or so but that's a huge help when working on the underside. I've set up the pivots in the engine bay and in the differential cavity. It works very well considering it was my first welding project!

Richard