16 replies to this topic

[PercyTheMini]

Hello! 

 

For my HNC project I am redesigning the spit which we have to rotate the 1988 mini mayfair. It consists of 2 A frames and a scaffold pole. Its very dangerous, doesnt hold the mini at set angles and is hard to rotate due to the mini being bottom heavy. 

 

If anyone has any suggestions for how to improve it or things that you'd love your spit to enable you to do (ie. put the bonnet on) then please help! 

 

I also am doing a scale model so would need a large scale model of a mini shell! This is proving impossible.

Has anyone seen any? 

 

I need to also work out the weight distribution of the mini shell and find the centre of gravity. Anyone already know this ?

 

Any help will be much appreciated! 

(I will use your responses as the evidence as conversation with the customer about requirements) 

[lrostoke]

To be honest used a spit on 3 minis and no real problems with the basic A frame version

 

Joining the A frames and wheel mounting would be an idea, you'd need to make sure it was stable though.

 

center of gravity I've found works best through the middle of the rear seat bulkhead...earlier models have a hole, later ones you need cut a hole.

 

bit of thought you could put a locking system on to a pole version

 

this is an alternative to the pole spit but a lot of those ideas can be used with a pole

 

Edited by lrostoke, 17 October 2013 - 04:05 PM.

[PercyTheMini]

Yeah, Ive seen this idea. To be able to do the project I need to do something better than what this one provides. So effectively saying that its rubbish and saying why the one im designing is better. 

 

Ideas of how it could be done so that the bonnet could be put on? Because we replaced the whole front end on mine and it had to be taken off the A frame to be able to fit it to check the alignment. 

 

I was thinking of some sort of gearing mechanism for the turning. Or adding weight to evenly distribute it, however dont think our pole would take much more weight! 

[alex-95]

Could you make the front part fit like the one above, But make it go down to the bottom of the front panel and back up to the same height to fit to the tower bolts?

[PercyTheMini]

Put the pole through the front grill? 

[alex-95]

I was going to say that but then you wouldn't be able to fit a new panel on, I meant right down to the front valance and back up in the engine bay.

[lrostoke]

I wouldn't really would screw with the balance, and if you wanted fit a front panel you'd be struggling

[Carlos W]

There are pictures of mine in my project thread!

I should've designed a better locking mechanism

[smartie93]

The positioning of the rotation axis i.e. your scaffolding pole is pretty important, it needs to go through the center of gravity.

 

A well set up spit is effortless and the car will stay at odd angles without the need for a locking mechanism, however always fit one and use it for general safety.

 

but there's no problem with making a quick and dirty one, it just wont be as nice to use.

Edited by smartie93, 17 October 2013 - 05:30 PM.

[PercyTheMini]

Yeah we made a very basic one but it was very unreliable and for my project for college i need to have the opinion of other people. I'm hoping for some problems that you guys have found with your spits and things that you'd find useful on them! Thanks for the link to your project Carlos, It looks really interesting. I've actually just finished all the body work on mine now and so its being sent off to be painted! Then the fun begins.... 

[PercyTheMini]

You'd leave the car with an off centred centre of gravity? And just have a number of gears to make the rotations easier instead? 

[lrostoke]

is this just purely an exercise or does actual real world need to come in, such as will it sell.

 

My point being over complicate costs go up, and for one off projects market will be limited

[PercyTheMini]

No it does need to be realistic. I am hoping to make it, but as a scaled down model due to my car coming off the spit and hopefully progressing. However, obviously i need to improve what is already avaliable but keeping the costs as low as possible. 

[skoughi]

Have a look at mine on my build thread "my fixerupper", by a little bit of luck I've managed to balance a bare shell quite well. I can easily turn it with one hand and I have a simple locking arrangement. However mine is made for a clubman so may have to be slightly different for a roundnose. Mine was made using scaffold pipe and clips and box section that I scranned from a building site. I had to buy the rubber braked castors though, total cost was £18!

Edited by skoughi, 17 October 2013 - 09:01 PM.

[Angusdog]

<snip>I also am doing a scale model so would need a large scale model of a mini shell! This is proving impossible.

Has anyone seen any?<snip>

 

What scale? Would an RC car shell suffice?