Engine Stand Fab - Lets See Em!

[Spudland_Dave]

Anybody on here fab themselves a REALLY nice engine stand? I've seen my share of store bought ones, from HF to Expensive...IMHO most all of the ones I've seen are "Value Engineered" in other words, while they do the job, they offer no overkill. I like to build using steel measured in fractions, not in Gauges

As for what I'd personally be looking to hold and work on...SBC's, LS Series, Maybe a couple small diesels if the opportunity presented itself, etc. I'd like to build it strong enough that I could in theory work on any engine...

 

[454ragtop]

I have a basic one that we made from plans that were in Car Craft magazine about 30 or more years ago, plenty strong, saw its share of iron headed big block Chevys. Then, a little while back, I found the "high end" HF stand on CL for $60, changed the fixed wheels to swivel casters, and added a slack adjuster to control the rotation. Worked out pretty good, pics here http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=191127
Jim

 

[PAToyota]

FourWheeler had a tip some time ago about using a front locking hub for an engine stand. I filed it away for future reference, but I sort of wonder how useful it would be actually. Chances are that the engine isn’t going to be balanced, so you’re going to have to figure out how to hold the engine in the position you want while you try to lock the hub.

 

[Kevin54]

I didn't "fab" one, but tomorrow I can post some pics of ones that were fabbed. I bought three, and sold two. They are sort of unique over your standard type engine stand.

Never mind....I forgot I had pics in a folder.

 

[TheModelAGuy]

Used a trailer hub mounted to a home made stand. It turns smoothly. The screw that holds the block into position is ok but not great. Thinking of using a gear or sprocket to rotate the hub and hold the block in place......still looking for ideas.

 

[CJCar]

I have this idea stashed idea for my next stand: Brake slack adjuster geared head.

http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74486

 

[willy (traer)]

Here's one I built for a friend of mine.....

 

[Mario428]

Here's one I built for a friend of mine.....

Awesome work, very well thought out

 

[merbie]

Here's one I built for a friend of mine.....

That's crazy as I was scrolling down the thread I thought how about a chain drive set up? and bam! you already nailed it. I love gj


Merb

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I didn't "fab" one, but tomorrow I can post some pics of ones that were fabbed. I bought three, and sold two. They are sort of unique over your standard type engine stand.

Yes, I remember seeing that! It is indeed a very unique design, but makes sense!

Here's one I built for a friend of mine.....

That My Friend is SAWEET Work, and what I had in mind. Care to elaborate how you did the Spindle/Shaft Housing Setup?

I've been eyeing this setup as well: http://jniolon.classicpickup.com/enginestand/BDES.html

I've got a 8' long piece of 2" 4340 Cold Roll which I was given, was gonna use it for the main shaft...Might be overill...got some 1.5" around here somewhere as well....I was gonna use Flange Bearings, but even with a 210 housing, I'll need a piece of 6" SQ Tubing for the Shaft housing.did you use bearings or bushings?

Either way..love it, great work!

 

[willy (traer)]

Yes, I remember seeing that! It is indeed a very unique design, but makes sense!



That My Friend is SAWEET Work, and what I had in mind. Care to elaborate how you did the Spindle/Shaft Housing Setup?

I've been eyeing this setup as well: http://jniolon.classicpickup.com/enginestand/BDES.html

I've got a 8' long piece of 2" 4340 Cold Roll which I was given, was gonna use it for the main shaft...Might be overill...got some 1.5" around here somewhere as well....I was gonna use Flange Bearings, but even with a 210 housing, I'll need a piece of 6" SQ Tubing for the Shaft housing.did you use bearings or bushings?

Either way..love it, great work!

It is 1.125" CR Rolled solid round for the shaft - the locking mechanism has bronze bushings, the head stock has bearings in it - a lot of machine work on this!

Flange bearings would work just fine. The sprockets and bearings I got from Surplus Center....

 

[TheModelAGuy]

Willy, I dont know anything about chain.....what size did you use on yours? What is the reduction?
Thanks,
T.

 

[jar944]

how about a bench top model..

 

[DocsMachine]

Several years ago, I got tired of the usual floppy adjustable engine stand heads, and welded up a solid one:

It's amazing how much more "solid" it makes the stand feel while you're working on the engine.

Doc.

 

[03protege]

Love the chain drive. If you are going to use a wheel hub assembly you might as well have a little axle stub running in there with your turning mechanism hooked up to that.

 

[st@rk]

Several years ago, I got tired of the usual floppy adjustable engine stand heads, and welded up a solid one:

It's amazing how much more "solid" it makes the stand feel while you're working on the engine.

Doc.

Brilliantly simple - I'm definitely going to make this for the 'typical' engines I work on!

 

[sberry]

I have a monster for big diesel blocks but some other thing I found along the way been mod a couple times before and since pic.

 

[wyo george]

There are some really good ideas in here, I fully intend to steal most of them!!

 

[TheModelAGuy]

Great idea Doc

 

[larry4406]

Waking this thread up

willy (traer) - can you explain the "axle/bearing" setup you used at the top head and what appears to be a disc brake/pad (or shaft into hole) against the top sprocket for locking the position? Truly a fine stand and your friend should be proud to have it.