4/13/11
Since I'm new here I thought this might be useful to some of you. I didn't invent the rotisserie but I did design the first one made of black pipe so all the guys who don't have a welder could build one. The following is a reprint of a post I put on RGP. I'm sure some of you have seen it, if not, it might be of interest:
I can't believe it's been six years since I came up with the first
black pipe rotisserie. I've been doing a bunch of playfield swaps
lately and decided to build a second rotisserie to simplify the swaps.
The new design uses a single 3/4" upright instead of boxed 1/2"
uprights. It's just as strong but uses way less parts. It took me an
hour and ten minutes to build without rushing. Here's pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike217/sets/72157626484933268/show/
There is a 1/2" of side/side movement with a playfield mounted. If
you can't live with that don't build this. You can make a sawhorse or
tabletop version of the hub and axle assembly for about $50 which will
be 100% rigid. I like this floorstanding design because it knocks down
in less than a minute and takes up virtually no space. Total cost was
$97.00 at Home Depot.
Stock List:
8 X 3/4" "T"s
4 X 3/4" X10" black pipe
2 X 3/4" X 36" black pipe
2 X 1/2" X 4" black pipe
2 X 1/2" X60" black pipe
2 x 1/2" caps
2 x 1/2" flanges
48" perforated angle iron
2 faucet handles with square centers
4 X 1/4" X 1" thumb screws
4 X 1/4" X 1" carriage bolts
2 x 1/4" X 2 1/2" carriage bolts
6 X 1/4" nuts, flat, and lockwashers
If you don't have them, you will also need 4 x1" "C" clamps, a 1/4NC20
tap, and a #7 or 13/64 drill bit.
Instructions:
Picture 1 - Stock
Picture 2 - Four T's need to be drilled and tapped as shown for the
feet. T's must be drilled laying flat. Two T's must be drilled and
tapped for the axle assembly. These must be drilled from the top.
Picture 3+4 - Assemble the faucet handles with the two long carriage
bolts, washers, and nuts as shown and thread into T's. Thread the four
thumbscrews anto the four T's that will be used as feet.
Picture 5 - Lay out stock as shown. Thread the four 10" pipes into the
four feet. Connect each pair into another "T" in the center. Make sure
the feet are flat on the floor and the center "T" is pointing straight
up.
Picture 6 - Thread the two 36" uprights into the center "T"
Picture 7 - Run the two 60" crossbeam pipes through the feet "T"s
Picture 8 - Thread the axle "T" onto the upright, parallel to the
crossbeams.
Picture 9 - Insert the 4" pipe through the axle "T" and install a cap
on the otside and a flange on the inside.
Picture 10+11 - Cut the 48" perforated angle iron in half and secure
each half to a flange with two 1" carriage bolts, washers, and nuts.
Picture 12 - If you have any spraint paint lying around, use it.
Picture 13 - This shows you how little space the rotisserie needs for
storage.
Picture 14+15 - Go restore something.
Make sure you tighten all the black pipe super tight when
assembling. Also, give the thumbscrews in the feet a good crank with a
wrench once the crossbeams are positioned so they won't come loose.
If you want to do a tabletop or sawhorse version, the axle
assemblys stay the same. Just substitute everything below the axle "T"
with a 3/4" X 12" black pipe and a 3/4" flange. Screw the flange onto
the top of your table or sawhorse and get to work. Enjoy.
Mike