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Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: kram350kram on Monday,December 14, 2020, 07:13:39 PM

Title: TCS ROTISSERIE
Post by: kram350kram on Monday,December 14, 2020, 07:13:39 PM
Has anyone in Europa land used a rotisserie on just the body, no frame attached? Thanks for any input.
Title: Re: TCS ROTISSERIE
Post by: Richard48Y on Monday,December 14, 2020, 09:08:08 PM
I have a rotisserie but would not even consider using it for the Europa without some sort of full length reinforcement!

There has been a lot discussion here about thin roof pillars and corner cracking, I can envision the whole car collapsing.  :headbanger:
For my own I intend to make a support structure of tube and plate, using the chassis drawing for dimensions.
I've had my Triumph GT6 body on the rotisserie and it was great but even that steel coupe required fabricating mounts for each end.
Title: Re: TCS ROTISSERIE
Post by: Chuck Nukem on Monday,December 14, 2020, 10:13:48 PM
Serge made a tip over jig for his S1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7XQtnCePKA&t=717s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7XQtnCePKA&t=717s)
Title: Re: TCS ROTISSERIE
Post by: kram350kram on Tuesday,December 15, 2020, 07:47:08 AM
I had intended to use all the body mounting points bolted to laterals off a tube running the length of the body. Am not sure if rotating the body to a position other than normal position would effect structural integrity. Might get some movement in the roof, but this could be corrected after the bottom issues I have are repaired?
Title: Re: TCS ROTISSERIE
Post by: gideon on Tuesday,December 15, 2020, 08:59:23 AM
One of the members of the Facebook group built this
Title: Re: TCS ROTISSERIE
Post by: Richard48Y on Tuesday,December 15, 2020, 09:23:58 AM
I had intended to use all the body mounting points bolted to laterals off a tube running the length of the body. Am not sure if rotating the body to a position other than normal position would effect structural integrity. Might get some movement in the roof, but this could be corrected after the bottom issues I have are repaired?

Pretty much my plan, the main tube will have to be substantial, and the point of attachment to the rotisserie.
Also need to make the attachments have a drop to them from the rotisserie when the body is at level.
You want it reasonably balanced so that it does not rotate suddenly when you want to roll it for access to the top and bottom.
I will try to avoid turning the body completely upside-down to minimize potential stress to the roof area.
Title: Re: TCS ROTISSERIE
Post by: BDA on Tuesday,December 15, 2020, 09:25:02 AM
I think your rotisserie needs to pick up the center of the car where the body is secured to the backbone but I think more support is really required. Consider the attachment points between the body and frame is for the body sitting on the frame - not the body being hung from the frame as what would happen with a rotisserie.

I can understand why someone would consider a rotisserie but I don't see it nearly as important as for a steel car. With a steel car, you need to attack the rust under the car that would otherwise be difficult to adequately address otherwise. With few exceptions (and I suspect they are unlikely) proper repairs can be made with the body in its usual orientation. But then I might be missing something.
Title: Re: TCS ROTISSERIE
Post by: buzzer on Wednesday,December 16, 2020, 01:26:52 AM
I agree with BDA a rotisserie is not needed and it will get in the way. 2 people can lift the bare shell. A trolley frame in which you can lift and turn the body over is the way I did it.
Title: Re: TCS ROTISSERIE
Post by: kram350kram on Wednesday,December 16, 2020, 10:59:20 AM
Thanks Buzzer. Never thought of just flip it over. The wings both front and rear should support it. Used to attached procedure. Thanks
Title: Re: TCS ROTISSERIE
Post by: Hachille on Saturday,December 19, 2020, 08:59:35 AM
A spindle mount with 4 fixings lengthwise is strong enough to hold the body. And practical enough to move it if you attach wheels.
Title: Re: TCS ROTISSERIE
Post by: Richard48Y on Saturday,December 19, 2020, 09:32:41 AM
That is pretty much exactly what I meant for my own use.
A sturdy tube with outriggers mounted between the stands.
Nice job of fabrication too.
Title: Re: TCS ROTISSERIE
Post by: kram350kram on Saturday,December 19, 2020, 06:27:52 PM
Nice job! On the later cars would need to punch a hole thru the rear of the body to get the skew through, but that penetration could be easily repaired.
Title: Re: TCS ROTISSERIE
Post by: Chuck Nukem on Sunday,December 20, 2020, 09:15:09 AM
That is excellent!
Title: Re: TCS ROTISSERIE
Post by: SilverBeast on Sunday,December 20, 2020, 10:44:46 AM
Nice job! On the later cars would need to punch a hole thru the rear of the body to get the skew through, but that penetration could be easily repaired.

And under the hood at the front of the t-section. I don't believe there is a removable panel on the twin-cam over the steering rack - at least there isn't on mine!
Title: Re: TCS ROTISSERIE
Post by: Richard48Y on Sunday,December 20, 2020, 11:23:58 AM
If built reasonably strong something like this should be good for TC. –u––––––––u–
Basically just make a curved element at each end to pass under the rear panel and nose.
I have a nice tube bender and a welder.
Maybe once I get my new shop put up I will make an example.
I need one for my S2 anyway.
Title: Re: TCS ROTISSERIE
Post by: Richard48Y on Thursday,September 01, 2022, 03:53:57 PM
Now that I have my S2 body shell unbolted this becomes relevant again.
Working by myself so I have to take advantage of every available tool.
I already have a factory made rotisserie but still have to put together a specific jig for the S2.
Thinking I will try to put together some reinforcement at the door openings too.
Kind of shocked at how thin and flimsy some areas of the body are.
Also how many previously unseen repairs are needed. :(
Title: Re: TCS ROTISSERIE
Post by: kram350kram on Saturday,September 03, 2022, 08:17:35 AM
I just flipped the body over on a dolly, did the bottom and then re-flipped it for topside repair. Body is so light the effort to make a rotisserie seemed unnecessary. 
Title: Re: TCS ROTISSERIE
Post by: Richard48Y on Saturday,September 03, 2022, 08:47:39 AM
I will need to be able to push the body out of the way when not working on it so my wheeled rotisserie seems the best answer.
I already have some heavy tube for the main end to end support.
Body will temporarily sit on saw horses until the rotisserie is ready.
With the body off I will copy mounting points from the chassis.
My rotisserie ties the ends together at the bottom for less possible strain on the shell.
Pics when I reach that point.
Title: Re: TCS ROTISSERIE
Post by: BDA on Saturday,September 03, 2022, 09:48:22 AM
Looking forward to your pictures!