Machine restoration stand?

[Creighton]

Have decided to replace all of the insulation and take care of minor rust around the leg levelers (sp). Pulling compressor bottle rack/ door liner etc. Basically an internal restore without a complete repaint.

Has anybody built a stand that would hold the empty shell +/- 3' off the ground vertical and also rotate back to have the shell horizontal? I have a idea but would like input.

The knees/back just don't like much up and down these days.
Thanks!!
Creighton

[BryanH]

Geez - never thought of building something...   This is what I used.  For some of the heavy sanding I also used a milk carton  '> .

Let us know whatever you design.  We're not above stealing a good idea.

[Creighton]

HeHe, Memories of the poor mans paint booth thread :-) Have sorted out what I want. Figure 6 or 7 trips later from the hardware store tomorrow will have a prototype. Tall rocking chair that goes all the way back with a saw horse to support the back of the top is the concept.
Creighton

[Jim]

Creighton,

What I have done for finish painting will work for you...
Remember, I'm explaining this from the stand point of a machine that is being completely painted.

Get a plastic milk crate, preferably as square as possible for stability, fold an old towel and drape it over the milk crate to protect the back of the machine.
Carefully, lay the machine onto the padded milk crate making sure to balance the machine. I recommend keeping the cabinet balanced on the milk crate as close to the condensor compartment as possible without loosing the balance point. This will make it a little better for standing it back up without possibly hitting the rear lower edge.
Remove the current leg levelers. Locate four old leg levelers that thread into the base easily but keep them out for now.
Prep the machine for primer/paint or in your case, the lower compartment.
Paint the base, interior of the compartment and any other areas accessable while in the horizontal position.
Once you have applied the appropriate number of coats of paint to these areas, thread in the old leg levelers a few turns. Keep the leg levelers as high as possible so when you stand the machine up, it will clear the ground. Stand the machine up and continue to paint the areas you were unable to get full coverage onto.

Hope this technique or a modification helps...

[Lulu]

Creighton,

You might think about using a 55 gal. drum stand in your design.  It has the rockers so you would be able to lay the machine on it's back.
Something to think about...

[Creighton]

Jim thanks for the words of wisdom!! I'd go that route except will need to move it out of view and secure each night.

Lulu, Great Idea! Hoping I can get by for a little less $$$.

 55 Drum Cart

Thanks to All!!!
Creighton

[MoonDawg]

Wow the drum cart! What a tool. Capacity 1000 lbs.  Strap this dolly to a complete machine any size, and tip onto its wheels, the machine laying horizontally. Now loading onto any truck bed is easy, even with one person.

[coke_and_stuff]

what about something like a engine stand, 4 bolts that would normally go into the engine block could go into the 4 holes on the base of the cabinet. You then would be able to rotate the machine 360 degrees. The only down fall the only part of the machine that would need to be worked off the stand would be the bottom.

Joey

[Jim]

Creighton,

Quote

I'd go that route except will need to move it out of view and secure each night.

I'm not sure I understand your thoughts...

[Creighton]

Jim,
I'll need the box in front of the garage while working on it. If left in front of the garage overnight it would be gone in the morning. Have lost two bikes and the tags off both cars in the past couple of months. Such is life in San Jose, CA. :-(

Well here is the cardbord and staple mock-up of my thoughts. Still need to ponder some center of gravity and hinge issues. Idea's welcome!!
Creighton
Pic#1