Hi Team,

After a while without a Mini - a van has popped up and purchased..
66 Van - not registered since the mid 80's.. Needs a full rebuild mechanically, but would like to re-do the paint as well.

So here is my question..
Is a rotisserie worth the investment or can a home made version do the job?

Would love advice / direction here..

Thanks as always team

I have used a homemade rotisserie and it was very useful because there was a fair amount of cutting/welding and painting needed.
But I have also used old car tyres to roll the shell onto: it gives more or less the same access, even if you have to roll the shell more often.
With the tyre method be absolutely careful that the weight of the shell is taken along the lower body seam (where the sill joins the floor) and along the gutter; that the tyres are NOT touching any side panel, which can be easily distorted.

A homemade one will work fine, it doesn't even need to rotate all the way.

The dodgy one I made wasn't tall enough to rotate the mini due to the legs on it but it could still be on it's side.

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1986 Mayfair (998 auto), 1974 S, 1974 Van, 1972 PMG Van

Too many minis

Another vote for home made.

Mines been on it's rotisserie for way to long, but it makes it easy to move around in the shed when inspiration strikes.

Ian

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1961 Morris 850 (being restored)
1965 Austin 1800 (daily driver)

Another yes, with pics.
Two modified engine stands, pipe from the salvage yard and some steel for brackets.
About $250 if you need to buy the bits.

I've got similar pictures in my shed.

Another yes, with pics also.
I made mine years ago when I first had the shell sandblasted ~1984, also used the supports in the Dino restoration rotisserie. I took a different approach and used rear radius arm sections with stub axles and hubs etc as per photos. A couple of years ago, I upgraded it with waterjet cut plates to lock the car in many positions. Works well.

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1970 Mk2 Cooper S under restoration

I made some frames instead of buying engine stands, same result though

I reckon the firewall has two bits of 30x30 stacked up to give the right height for the pole.
In the boot is the square tube is 40x40, and you will also notice some spacers on the shock bolt holes, could use a pile of big washers.
I held onto the tube with some old car axle U bolts, with one going sideways at the front to stop it slipping as it rotated. It locked into position with a pin in the front A frame.

Soooooo worth it.

For scale of economy in work output, and on your lower back.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.