Solo Hobbit's Bus Rotisserie

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Ozzy
'69
baywindow
(sold)

Alfi
'71 1/2
baywindow
(scrapped)

Else
'67
hardtop
deluxe
(parts)

a Westy
'67
Westfalia
(operational)

Smial Poni
'63
walkthough
deluxe
(project)

Bus
Rotisserie

other
people's
busses

When took on a mojor project like my '63 deluxe, I decided that I only wanted to do it if I had the right tools for the job. Along with a 4 1/2 inch angle grinder, the rotisserie has been my favoroite tool. The entire frame is made with 2 1/2 inch thick walled tube steel. Adjustable connections are made with square plates bolted together to clamp another tube between them.

Having the rotisserie has made working on various areas much easier. The bus can be positioned at almost any angle to provide easy acess while in a standing position. The sunroof provides an easy was to enter the bus while it is on its side.

It has been well worth it. This rotisserie allows the bus to be turned about 310 degrees but not a full 360 degrees. I have found this to be quite adequate. Since the center of gravity of the bus is so low relative to the rest of the body, full rotation would require rotation axel to be mounted quite a bit higher off the ground.

	A screw jack (originally intended for pickup mounted RV's) allows the bus to be raised after initial mounting.
	A steel pipe inside a steel pipe provides the rotation axel. In this picture, the left end orf the axel is connected to the bus mounted frame by adjustable plates. This allows the center of gravity to be repositioned. The right end is welded to the screw jack. I have since added a simple bolt to lock the bus at any angle.
	This is the front mounting detail. A steel plate is bolted to the longitudinal bus beam where the bumper bolts on and other existing holes in the beam to provide adequate support.
	The rear mounting is similar to the front. Both are mounted to the rotisserie support frame with adjustable connector plates.
	The rear mounting plate extends up over the bus axel all the way to the shock absorber mount. I made the mistake of not allowing enough room to remove the rear bus axel, I I had to partially disassemble the tranny from the gear boxes in order to remove the running gear.
	The wheels allow the bus to be rolled outside for sandblasting. It requires a little more framework to make the unit portable, but it is worth it on long term projects.