In order to make it easier to work on a Model T sedan body I think I should use a rotisserie and I am wanting to know what others have used. Your experiences, thoughts and photos, would be of great help. Thanks for your help in saving an aching back!
I use two modified engine stands. I have a few updates mods to do but they worked well with custom made brackets. If you do use engine stands be sure to get the 4-wheel type for stability. I used to use my body/frame jig but it's getting tougher to crawl in and out from under it. Seems like the light bulbs they make now are darker too and often blurry. Being able to just roll the body makes life easier.
I have no experience with rotisseries, barely any with barbeques, so can't help.
Jack, was it your brass car at OCF 2009 that had the genemotor?
A sedan body less all the glass will weigh in the neighborhood of 700 Lbs. That will be one heck of a rotisserie. Remember the force to rotate it and hold it will be bad.
It was a piece of cake to turn it. The drop brackets I made put the center of gravity nearly through the center of the car. The engine stands will support 2000 pounds each and already had lock points and pins. I don't have pictures but I could take some tomorrow.
I used two of these: http://www.harborfreight.com/2000-lb-foldable-engine-stand-67015.html
Jack,
@accessiblesystems.com is a web site where you can perhaps get some ideas.
I built mine about 15 years ago to use on a 1955 Chev sedan (much heavier than the T). They work quite well if engineered correctly. Mine was very similar to the one on their web page. I did not have the hydraulic jack which would have been nice.
Just remember when spinning the car over to measure and then measure again the arc the body will travel through!
If you are doing any major cutting for repairs on the frame or body while on the rotisserie make sure you have things braced so you don't get a sag in the frame or body....this is important!
Good luck with your project!
Ken what a great idea for a rotisserie set-up on a budget! I love it. I would love to see pics of it.
Ricks: The 2009 OCF car was a 1914 Model T Touring with a Hienz-Springfield starter-dynamo installed. I will probably display it there again next year.
Jack ; I used this for a 1923 Roadster . The 6 mounting holes are in the same location as in the frame.
Toon
Anthonie: I like the simplicity of your rotisserie but I am doing a fordor, one of the heaviest bodies. I think that would test the engineering of your design. Jack
Jack, years ago a friend and I restored his 31 A sedan. To detail the underside, we fabricated a pair of "rockers" from heavy oil field pipe, with a long extension at the ends, which ran vertically parallel to the body side. We attached the body to the rockers with welded extensions then rolled the body to 90 degrees, and braced it in that position. The contraption looked like a large cradle with a carpet covered beam (4X4) as a support along the length of the body, above the doors to support the rotated body, which was tied to the rocker extensions. It was very stable and kept every thing low and easy to reach.
Ken, Even better!