As it stands I can buy 2 HF engine stands and some scrap steel to build one for under $250. They have enough capacity to twirl a fully dressed iron big block so an E36 sheetmetal body is not even going to stress it. I can easily extend the legs to stabilize it if required. So... what am I missing?
Why anyone would pay $1000 for the most basic one or 2k for one with hydraulics when they appear to be 2 engine stands linked together with some pipe and a $200 power ram?. Am I missing some magical feature or are they just over-priced silliness?
The people that build those don't tell you it's just two engine stands with a few frills.
oldtin
SuperDork
2/6/12 12:51 p.m.
2 hf stands work just fine - just need to be a little taller and wider. With an extra bolt/pin or two you can also eliminate the tube between the stands. MY CG on the MG is about 1.5" too low. Get it right and it will spin really easy. If you're off, just takes a little extra grunt to go to 90*
Sure, you can build one for cheap, but most folks can't or don't think it's worth it once they consider the features it needs to have to be useable. For example... How do you plan on getting the body mounted up? Once it's mounted, will it be high enough to rotate the body 90 or 180 degrees? If not, how will you raise the ends so that it can? How will you rotate it? It's that kinda thing that can make a good bit of difference between a useable rotisserie and a couple engine stands with some extra steel. The good rotisseries are height adjustable (for ease of mounting and to raise the body to clear the ground for rotation), adjustable mounting brackets, and roller bearings in the rotation mechanism to make it easier. Besides, you're also paying for their product insurance, development, marketing, etc. too.
Anyway, if you're confident you can build one for cheap that will be useable, I say go for it and keep us updated with how it turns out.
In reply to darkbuddha:
I considered the height adjustability thing - and based on my engine stand in the garage I don't think it will be required to clear a full rotation - but I really only need 90˚. I can raise and lower the body pretty easily with 2x4s and a jack. If I did really need it - I suppose I can just cut and sleeve the upright with tubing and add a pin like oldtin suggested.
I suppose I could get fancy with bearings but a little grease will give me enough mobility to spin it for the 2 or 3 times I need to adjust it. I have rotated a 900lb engine without them.
I have a wooden tiptisserie built out of 2x6's for my mk1 VW. :)
not a pic of mine... this looks a little more shoddy but works the same...
Bolts into the factory bumper tube brackets. GRM budget approved.
If you go engine stands, depending on what mods you're planning to make, note that many of them don't hold the rotating tube parallel to the ground, but tipped back towards the upright a bit.
Not a problem with an engine. Not so good if you're trying to get two of them bolted to one object on a common axis.
I question the strength of some of the cheaper engine stands. Mine flexes dramaticly under a dressed 350.
I have plans to build one soon myself. Just need to finish the saab and bmw before I can get to the fiat
I was going to build one myself. Even picked up a couple of extra engine stands on CL. Then I saw it. An already built, way better than what I had in mind, rotisserie on CL for $450. Grabbed some cash and went to pick it up. Turns out it is the exact size and I mean exact size of the deck on my open trailer. Ah the possibilities. Can't wait till I have a use for it.
tr8todd wrote:
I was going to build one myself. Even picked up a couple of extra engine stands on CL. Then I saw it. An already built, way better than what I had in mind, rotisserie on CL for $450. Grabbed some cash and went to pick it up. Turns out it is the exact size and I mean exact size of the deck on my open trailer. Ah the possibilities. Can't wait till I have a use for it.
buys rotisserie for a project he hasnt even thought up yet yet, if only because it was cheap and fit on his trailer...This man is truly one of us...Can I get an amen?
