My Alternative to a Rotisserie

[Griffinroydonal]

I love it and would trust it . I also hate to weld on my back and have the scars to prove it.

[Kroggers]

That is nice, I will have to save this for future use

[Fishcop]

Originally Posted by Packy

holey crap, i can't believe that works! how much does a bare chassis weigh? Anyone?

That is not that many bolts holding the chassis to the rotisserie. pretty cool.

I originally guessed 400kg (880lb), but now I think a fair bit less... perhaps 320-330kg it really was a doddle to turn onto its side and is solid as a rock.

I'll head out to measure it all up this evening for those of you that are interested. I only work in metric so you'll have to convert (the Emory Motorsport link has imperial measurements)

[Fishcop]

Okay, some measurements...

The two octagons are made up of 5x 790mm, 2x 430mm and the base is 1350mm. The front bar that stretches across and picks up the front suspension is 1970mm and the longitudinals are 4x 1720mm. The "squat" nature of the octagon facilitates the natural centre of gravity in the chassis so the it "rolls evenly" (I hope that makes sense?). I emphasise that these are "my" measurements and it can be built bigger if needed. The cuts are set up on my band saw at 22.5º (135º from zero) giving 45º corners - no matter what size you go with the cut angles remain the same. I built mine out of 35mm square tube with 3mm walls; obviously the available steel in the US/Europe will be different.

Essentially you support the car on stands and prop the octagons at either end, you make the suspension pickups first and bolt tight before welding into the octagon.

The longitudinal bars are attached by welding 30mm box (50mm) "stubs" to the octagons, then notching out a small section of one end of the longitudinal so that it can be pushed over and secured with a through bolt.



Feel free to ask for any other photos or measurements

[abisel]

This is a great solution to the standard rotisseri. The body is supported where it needs to be supported. At the suspension mounting points.

I don't mean to steal your post, but thought of this idea as a good solution, but can't see spending 2K for it.
Roller Hoop Video - Watch the Roller Hoop in action

[Fishcop]

Hi Guys

I just thought I'd follow up and add a few extra photos and confirm that it easily flips 360º with just one man, and how useful this tool has been









And just in case any of you haven't tuned into my restoration saga... http://forums.pelicanparts.com/paint-bodywork-discussion-forum/545166-restoration-my-69-911-a.html

Cheers

[Gillies]

Subscribed !!

[svandamme]

ditto

[Gillies]

John, I am in the process of cloning your octisserie and was wondering if you can post the 3 dimensions as per the attached pics. I am trying to buy the steel pre-cut in order to save me some time. Much appreciated

!!




I am also following your restoration project with great interest.

[Fishcop]

Hi Gilles

Measurements are rear: A - 447mm, B - 545mm
Front: C - 337mm

Hope that helps

[Evans, Marv]

Another neat thing is that you could use an extra set of castors or change the ones already on there to be able to roll it around on any side.

[redturbo911]

Pretty cool nicely done.

[Gillies]

Originally Posted by Fishcop

Hi Gilles

Measurements are rear: A - 447mm, B - 545mm
Front: C - 337mm

Hope that helps

Thanks again John.

[Fishcop]

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

Another neat thing is that you could use an extra set of castors or change the ones already on there to be able to roll it around on any side.

I actually use a couple of creepy-crawlers if I need to manouvre it anywhere

[jugwahn]

John, looks fantastic. Where is your project at now? I am in Brisbane in the next few weeks and would love to see the car and rotisserie.
Am currently driving 79 Targa nad considering doing a full resto on it or.. I have the opportunity to pick up a 73 911 and start from gound up.
Beautiful car (yours) and I love the colour, regards Justin (Melbourne)

[Fishcop]

Originally Posted by jugwahn

John, looks fantastic. Where is your project at now? I am in Brisbane in the next few weeks and would love to see the car and rotisserie.
Am currently driving 79 Targa nad considering doing a full resto on it or.. I have the opportunity to pick up a 73 911 and start from gound up.
Beautiful car (yours) and I love the colour, regards Justin (Melbourne)

Sorry Jugwahn, I totally missed your post.

Car came out of the octisserie over the weekend and on to a normal dolly for painting. PM if you want to see it.

[95avblm3]

John, Per your request I have copied part of the post from my thread Turning a "Boxster" in to a longhood! here and included the drawing so that it is in the same place. Thanks for the suggestion!

The following are details from my post:

"I attached a sketch with some dimensions I used for my iteration of the octisserie... units are English since that is how the most readily available material is dimensioned here in my neck of the woods. A couple of things to note: dimensions around the octagon were measured from the long side of the material and each end has a 22.5 degree angle (I know this has been covered in other threads but bear with me... trying not to miss any details). Dimensions in parentheses are for reference only. In those cases, the true dimensions will vary with your car. I found the engineering drawing in the shop manual to be invaluable and I did some of the critical tack welding in place on the car. I believe this is how Fishcop did his and is probably necessary since our cars are all slightly unique. I used 1/8th inch wall, 1-1/4 in square steel tubing... seems sturdy enough but my car is stripped to a bare shell. I think I'd consider something a little bigger if the car had parts on it... but then I probably wouldn't need the octisserie.

Of course, YMMV so use these dims at your own risk."

[Fishcop]

Brilliant!

[rodoredas]

Nice work, very clever, good luck with the project.

[TC911e]

I finally broke down and became a member of the octisserie club. I’d thought I could get by with making a partial version to get the car up at 45 deg. to deal with a rocker repair, but as the rust repair progressed from the rocker to the door lock plate to the kidney bowl to the area under the torsion bar tube it became obvious I needed the car up at 90 deg at least.

I did alter the dimensions a bit from what John originally posted and the drawing posted above (mostly to make sure I could get it built out of the steel I bought). The main difference was I made the base only 48” wide and made the lower 45 pieces a bit longer. I also didn’t include the lower longitudinal pieces since most of my work was along the rocker and it seemed like it would be in the way, and it didn’t seem to add much structurally. It’s worked out fine so far.



The one thing I might do differently would be to build the mounting points a little higher to try to get the CG 3-4” higher. Rolling from 0 degrees to 45 took some help from the floor jack (which probably would have been easier if I’d included the lower longitudinal pieces) even with the smaller base and longer 45s. It also wasn’t very stable at the 45 degree spot. If the tub was a little higher in the hoop initially I think it would roll easier while getting the CG further over the footprint at all the positions.

It sure does make drilling spot welds and fitting and welding patches easier, but it still looks weird every time I walk out into the garage.