Vehicle Rotisserie question

MJM

Promoted Users
Can a vehicle be mounted on a rotisserie that still has an engine, transmission, rear end housing, and front suspension on the vehicle?

Thank you,
 
The one I used, Tuxedo CR-3000, had a 3000lb capacity, so I think the weight would be over the limit.
Even if the tool had the rated capacity, I would be leary of doing it.
With the assembled vehicle, the only points to attach to the rotisserie are going to be at the extreme frame ends, far away from where the vehicle weight was designed to be carried.
I would be concerned about flex and how that affected panel fit etc.
Plus that is a frightening amount of weight to be spinning around.
 
I was afraid that would be the answer to my question.

Reason I asked is because I want to tig the quarter panel markerlight patches in. Obviously for a beginner tig welder, tig welding vertical and horizontal is a challenge to say the least.

I just finished my first practice tig weld, a 3"x6" patch. I placed the sheetmetal in a vice so I could tig welded it as though it was on the car, tig welding horizontal, and vertical.

I know I would get straighter and better looking tig welds if the sheetmetal was in more of a flat plane, even angled a little bit. You've got the Mellon on my shoulders thinking that I could jack the car up on one side. That would lean the car probably enough to aid in a better angle to tig weld.

The first practice patch was probably acceptable but, not to my standards. I have three more coupons to try again.

Here's the first horizontal tig weld.

Fusion tig welded and planished
20230527_102618.jpg


Tig welded with filler wire
20230527_131229.jpg




Welds dressed and hit with 80 grit. Pay no attention to the hammer marks. I need to buy a high crown hammer.
20230527_133751.jpg


20230527_133842.jpg
 
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I don't claim to be a great welder, but my advice is learn to crawl before you try walking. Lay your coupons on the bench and practice for a few years:) then try it off the bench. And use the ga sheet metal as the car.
 
This is a combined reply to chevman and Dean.

Chevyman,
Though that is solid advice, I can tig weld on flat a surface because of the additional heat sink it offers, and the comfortable position, also I don't want to wait two years to tig this patch in :) I'm using 19 gauge, same as the Barracuda sheetmetal.

Dean,
It has become obviously clear to me the advantage of tig welding sheetmetal. First and foremost, the softer weld planishes like butter. Second, the low profile weld allows quick weld dressing.

If by my fourth coupon I don't get the results I'm looking for, I'll have no choice but to mig it. I'm fusion spot welding my second coupon right now.

Don't bench me yet coach, we still have three innings left :)
 
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There used to be a guy named Tommy. He owned a company called accessible systems. He made rotisserie and other things like wheel dollies and equipment. His rotisserie could flip a dually on its side. Way beefy and overkill. They are out of business.
 
Keep plugging away with the tig welder. You will find a comfortable position to do verticle welds.
Curious as to why TIG and not MIG?
If you ever get a chance to tig weld you will understand the difference on the first time. MIG is fine because it's budget friendly and there are plenty of applications where a mig welder is better suited. But once you get the hang of tig welding sheet metal you'll never go back. Imo it's so much cleaner, easier to dress out welds etc...it's just not as easy. But it will force you to be better at metal fitment.
 
There used to be a guy named Tommy. He owned a company called accessible systems. He made rotisserie and other things like wheel dollies and equipment. His rotisserie could flip a dually on its side. Way beefy and overkill. They are out of business.
Yup, I have one of his rotisseries. It’s bomb proof for sure.
 
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