Tip over jig vs. rotisserie

Dean Jenkins

Dean Jenkins

Promoted Users
I'm doing body off restoration (Resto Mod to be clear) of my 1968 el Camino. Ready to do final work on the underside, minor repairs then epoxy and undercoat. I don't want to have the body shell blocked up and then crawl under it to do the work. I'm 59 years old now and am finding that I don't enjoy that very much anymore ;)

I was thinking to buy a rotisserie, use it for the project, and then sell it to recoup some of the cost. The unit I was looking at is the Titan 4500. Looks like a really nice one. ~$1600 delivered to my shop. https://liftswholesale.com/rotisserie/titan-rot-4500-automotive-rotisserie/

But then, I came across some YouTube videos of guys making a "Tip Over Jig" out of wood for a few hundred bucks. That is a tempting thing . . .
Here is a video of a guy doing it with a 1972 Nova, which would be very similar to my project:

Anyone here built and/or used a "Tip Over Jig?" Thoughts and comments very much welcome!
 
i prefer my rotisserie . i can roll the car with one hand . it also helps to be able to flip it both ways . i keep it on it all the way through buffing .
 

Attachments

  • sound control.jpg
    sound control.jpg
    51.6 KB · Views: 196
  • first buff 1.jpg
    first buff 1.jpg
    95.7 KB · Views: 166
  • epoxy 1.jpg
    epoxy 1.jpg
    41.6 KB · Views: 180
Last edited:
I can’t imagine life without my rotisserie. Makes work so much easier. Also lets me easily move the car in and out of the booth, outside for media blasting etc.

I think I’ve used it on roughly 20 builds.

Don
 
  • Like
Reactions: MJM
I guess if the project is a one-time deal, something like that tip-over doohickey makes sense. But if you feel like you're gonna be serious about it, get serious man tools.
 
^^^ That's cheating !!! Come on guys. You haven't lived until you've spent two months on your back prepping the bottom of a car, lol

Oh to be young again ;).............as dad always told me, work smarter, not harder. Words to live by.
 
I got my rotisserie a couple years ago. It's the CR3000 on ebay. It was 875 picked up at will call. Now they are a little more. It's the cheapest rotisserie on the market. Its not the best built but it gets the job done. I did upgrade the wheels though.
 
I have two sets of plans that I downloaded a long time ago. Never did build a rotisserie yet but plan to before I tackle the GTX.
The one set is very detailed but too large to upload here so PM with your email and I'll send it.
 

Attachments

  • rotisserie_plans.pdf
    2 MB · Views: 217
'68 Coronet R/T said:
I have two sets of plans that I downloaded a long time ago. Never did build a rotisserie yet but plan to before I tackle the GTX.
The one set is very detailed but too large to upload here so PM with your email and I'll send it.
Click to expand...
Those are the plans I used for my rotisserie. I have found that it is too short for a lot of the cars I have built. Over time I have increased the height by 10 inches or so.

Don
 
I was in the same situation this time last year, watched the same videos you did, I bought a rotisserie and am glad I did. I went with a Derick Weaver, nice unit.
 
dhutton01 said:
Those are the plans I used for my rotisserie. I have found that it is too short for a lot of the cars I have built. Over time I have increased the height by 10 inches or so.

Don
Click to expand...
That's good to know, thanks.
The other set of plans is by Red Wing Steel Works and the upright tubes are 50" long where the set I posted are only 36" long. So based on your experience I will use these plans. The file size for them is 5800 kb and hence too big to post on this site.
 
MP&C said:
I'm another vote for the rotisserie. Ideal for prep and priming inside while standing through the window/ door openings. When I built our rotisserie I also added tie-down D rings so it could be easily transported for media blasting. And those guys love it because it makes their process easier..


View attachment 15022



View attachment 15023
Click to expand...


Robert thanks for the link to your plans. Need to build a proper one and am going to use them.:)

One other question, perhaps you can share how you got that sander to work with no air hose..... :p
 
Well, you guys talked me into it, I went for the rotisserie. Got a pretty nice one, Tuxedo 3000lb model for $999 plus shipping. The thing that "tipped" me was the fact that I will have to rotate the car several times as I work on it. The tip-over jig is cool, but it takes 2-3 guys to tip it safely. By the time I round up my buddies, buy beer, etc. 4 or 5 times, I might as well get the right tool and be able to do it myself. And when I am done, if I'm not planning another project (we'll just have to see) I can sell it and recoup most of the cost. Seems there is an active market for used ones.
I appreciate all the feedback and thoughts! This forum is awesome.
Here are pics.

Rotisserie 1.jpg





Rotisserie 2.jpg


Rotisserie bottom.jpg


Rotisserie cab.jpg

Rotisserie bed.jpg
 
Very very, nice.
I'm getting very close to this point with my Cutlass.
How hard is it to get the body balanced? Any helpful tips?

BTW, beautiful shop.
 
Klleetrucking said:
Very very, nice.
I'm getting very close to this point with my Cutlass.
How hard is it to get the body balanced? Any helpful tips?

BTW, beautiful shop.
Click to expand...
my best suggestion is to have someone there to help you, with a long piece of pipe acting as leverage through an end bar to bring it back. I got my indexing table out on my mill and drilled out a 1/2 inch plate to pin my home made rotiseree at a few different angles and stop relying on a bolt to hold the car. Got it where it seemed balanced, but got to about 45 and could not control it anymore. Luckily it was up off the ground enough where my new quarters did not smash on the floor this time.
 
Klleetrucking said:
Very very, nice.
I'm getting very close to this point with my Cutlass.
How hard is it to get the body balanced? Any helpful tips?

BTW, beautiful shop.
Click to expand...
Thanks! The one I'm using has both hydraulic jacks and then threaded rod to fine tune the height at each end. Made it easy to get centered and I can spin it freely. Also came with cam locks on each end so once it is in position, can lock it down.
Here is the model I'm using: https://liftswholesale.com/rotisserie/cr-3000-automotive-rotisserie/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top