building your own rotisserie

[fireguyfire]

Hey guys; got my 68 back from the frame shop and am ready to strip her down and start welding in my new metal (1/4's, floor plans). I am debating building a rotisserie to make the job of refinishing the underside easier; has anyone here done it, or have plans on how to build one? How can you do it inexpensively but safely?

[Darkman]

I have some detailed plans in pdf format if you want them. I can email them to you if you want them.

[gschmidt211]

I was going to do the same thing.  I was thinking of this one:

http://members.tripod.com/mopar_roadster/body_rotisserie.html.

I also downloaded an article from a guy who built his own and wrote a detailed plan of how he did it with a cut list.  The article also has a lot of good pictures documenting his process.

Click this link to download a .pdf copy of the article.

http://files.me.com/gschmidt211/izs9j1

[gschmidt211]

Hello Darkman,

If you would not mind, I would like a copy of your plans also.  I am also looking to build one, and as stated above, I have a few plans, but more would be better for comparison.

My email is gschmidt211@me.com.

Thank you.

[fireguyfire]

Roughly how much does it cost to build one? Guys that have done it, is it worth it?

[vancamp]

Roughly how much does it cost to build one? Guys that have done it, is it worth it?

worth it definetly built one for a 66 satellite i think i had $150-$200 in materials that is without hydraulic jacks which make infinetly more user friendly when lifting or lowering the car.

[gschmidt211]

I priced out the materials for the one I am thinking of building and I think I can do it for between $400 and $500.  That is mostly steel cost.  That is also based on having free access to all of the welding, cutting and painting equipment.

[Magnumcharger]

Here's an idea...pay attention now.

Look up. See the blue bar that says Home-Help-SEARCH....yes that one.
Hit the search button, then type in "Rotisserie".

You might just find what you're looking for - right here on this forum.

In fact, I know you will!

[fireguyfire]

Yeah,yeah I know about the search function and have read a bunch of old threads; steel prices have changed alot, and being an experienced woodworker I am intrigued by guys that have built ones out of wood; anyone here done that and had success? Searched the net and it seems fairly common.

[Domino]

Yeah,yeah I know about the search function and have read a bunch of old threads; steel prices have changed alot, and being an experienced woodworker I am intrigued by guys that have built ones out of wood; anyone here done that and had success? Searched the net and it seems fairly common.

Here's plans and pics (posted on FBBO too):
The bill for my steel was $340 (not cut) add about $200 to that if you want everything cut and ready to build. You should not need to machine anything b/c 2.5" tube 1/4" wall fits inside 3" tube with 3/16" wall for the greased pivots.

I cut up an old golf cart (FREEBIE) for the wheels/tires/axles. This will get the rig from shop to blasting area outside. The front wheels will always turn/point parallel to a tow bar hitched to my ATV. The rear wheels are fixed axle, like a hay wagon setup.

Can add/substitute caster mounting plates too... for "improved surfaces" or use cheap wheel dollies to maneuver around inside shop.

The basic size is from Harwood's plans, but I changed a few things after looking at some other designs. It will come apart for storage or transport and has height adjustment.

[451-74Charger]

If you dont have a welder, you could make it out of wood like this chap

http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98675

[hemi-hampton]

Last one I welded up was around $500 in steel & cut. Thats was about 10 years ago. My Advise is use a heavy duty 220 mig or Arc Welder better yet. The 110 I used fried & burnt up after continious hours of use & hard to penetrate thich steel with a 110 unless turned up to max.  LEON.

[6pkrtse]

I built mine similar to the tripod rotisserie. I had about $240.00 into mine with paint, casters & hardware. I have many car buddies wanting me to build more. I have thought about it.

[Hudson Hornet !]

I am an autobody teacher at a vo-tech school and can see the merits of a rotisserie, but do not forget the body cart. The last car we did was on the spit for a week, but we used the cart throughout the build! Also, the body cart will support the car better when you have major panels to cut out- no sagging.

[Tilar]

I hadn't thought of a cart. I have some pretty nice plans for a rotisserie that I intend on taking down to the local vocation school and have them build it. I wonder if there are any plans of a cart floating around anywhere?

[Hudson Hornet !]

Since the weld shop is right next door to mine, we had them build it.  Didn't use any plans, just saw some on the internet and made it adjustable, that way it will fit anything from a truck bed to a jeep body to a 69 Charger!

[69rtse4spd]

Scored one last week for $400.00,  guy used it one time. No jacks but can be mounted easy enough since the brackets are there. He paid about 900.00 for it, so now I got one to use as a pattern if I want to build another one. Of course if you build one you have to figure in the time factor, but that usually is not a problem. If you do build it, do not go cheap when it comes to a gusset here or their, spend a little extra money on steel to make it safe, good luck which ever way you go.   

[Domino]

My Advise is use a heavy duty 220 mig or Arc Welder better yet. The 110 I used fried & burnt up after continious hours of use & hard to penetrate thich steel with a 110 unless turned up to max.  LEON.

My 110 did OK (it's an old MW), I used a 220 arc/stick on the "T" arm and the round connections for good penetration, cleaned up, and came back with 2 passes with the 110 mig along the "toe" of the stick weld.

The frame has plenty of weld length with the gussets that the 110 is OK.  Here's a pic: 0.030 and machine set with heat all the way up, and wire speed as slow as possible to max out penetration.  You can also use a torch to preheat the area and that helps penetrate and helps the weld pool flow/ flatten out instead of building on top of cold metal.

[hemi-hampton]

Did you do yours all at once in one day. I had the heat turned up to max & fried/burned up/melted a Diode. LEON.

[Domino]

Did you do yours all at once in one day. I had the heat turned up to max & fried/burned up/melted a Diode. LEON.

Yeah, it'll burn wire on max for hours straight.

Although it's old, I think it is a "production" quality welder vs. hobby.  Takes the large wire spools.  I got it used in trade for a debt, but it has worked very well, surprisingly enough! 

Prior I had a small 110 mig and it would just shut off after about 15 minutes.  I'd drink too many beers with that thing waiting for it to cool down! 

[Tilar]

Prior I had a small 110 mig and it would just shut off after about 15 minutes.  I'd drink too many beers with that thing waiting for it to cool down! 

I hate when that happens. 

[motorcitydak]

Sorry I am late to post here but I just took my car off the one I built for it. Grand total was $160 to build it. Here is a pic of it, this is the front one. The back is the same except for the bracket that gets bolted to the car

[charge69]

No pic right now but this is the 3rd MOPAR that has been on the home-built rotisserie and it has served us well each and every time.  It is completely adjustable and has had a '74 Chally, a '69 Roadrunner and, finally, my '69 Charger mounted with comparative ease.

My friend has all the welding components (mig, tig,stick,spot and even a plasma cutter) to make it right and they just work!

[Domino]

Two weekends of tear down to get to a bare shell and the rotisserie gets its first test.
So there's proof for the previously posted plans 

[fireguyfire]

Next issue; what's the best/easiest way to get a car up onto a rotisserie once I've built it?

[Troy]

Next issue; what's the best/easiest way to get a car up onto a rotisserie once I've built it?

Engine hoist? Depends on whether you've made your ends with adjustable height.

Troy

[Domino]

Next issue; what's the best/easiest way to get a car up onto a rotisserie once I've built it?

Engine hoist? Depends on whether you've made your ends with adjustable height.

Troy

I think that'd be safer than jacking in a series of shorts "lifts" and blocking up. 

Maybe hoist the nose first and either chain it to something or build a sawhorse looking stand.
OR put only 2 of 4 front bolts in the rotiss arms leaving them a little loose so it will pivot as you hoist up the rear.  The nose end is much lighter.

[rattlehead_74]

I dont know if this has been mentioned yet but i thought this guys idea was great for a rotisserie  Its a few pages in but definatly worth a look Thanks, later   He also did one hell of a nice job on his car too!



http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,59588.0.html

[Domino]

Thought I'd add to this thread to show how I made dual use of the rotiss as a front end support.
Got some 3" "U" bolts to clamp some supports to the rotis frame. Supports use the 4 K-frame bolts.
Used the axle/leafs to support the rear while the trunk/qtrs/wheel wells are out.