How to Make a Car Body Dolly
A car body dolly is a specialized tool used to support and manipulate car bodies during repair and restoration work. It is typically made of steel or aluminum and consists of a frame, a lifting mechanism, and a set of wheels. Car body dollies can be used to lift, lower, rotate, and move car bodies around a workshop or garage.
Materials
- 1/2″ steel or aluminum plate
- 1″ square steel tubing
- 1/4″ steel or aluminum plate
- 1/2″ steel or aluminum bars
- 1/2″ bolts and nuts
- 4 casters
- Welding equipment
- Grinder
- Drill
Instructions
1. Cut the base plate
The base plate is the foundation of the car body dolly. It should be made of 1/2″ steel or aluminum plate and cut to the desired size. The size of the base plate will depend on the size of the car bodies you will be working on.
2. Weld the frame
The frame of the car body dolly is made of 1″ square steel tubing. Cut the tubing to the desired length and weld it together to form a frame. The frame should be strong enough to support the weight of a car body.
3. Attach the lifting mechanism
The lifting mechanism of the car body dolly is used to raise and lower the car body. There are a few different types of lifting mechanisms that you can use, but the most common type is a hydraulic ram. Weld the lifting mechanism to the frame of the car body dolly.
4. Attach the wheels
The wheels of the car body dolly allow it to be moved around a workshop or garage. The wheels should be made of durable material, such as steel or aluminum. Weld the wheels to the frame of the car body dolly.
5. Test the car body dolly
Once you have assembled the car body dolly, test it to make sure that it works properly. Raise and lower the car body a few times to make sure that the lifting mechanism is working properly. Move the car body dolly around a workshop or garage to make sure that the wheels are working properly.
Tips
- Use high-quality materials to build your car body dolly. This will ensure that it is durable and long-lasting.
- Weld all of the components of the car body dolly together securely. This will prevent the dolly from collapsing under the weight of a car body.
- Test the car body dolly thoroughly before using it on a car. This will help to prevent any accidents.
Conclusion
A car body dolly is a valuable tool for any auto body shop or garage. It can be used to lift, lower, rotate, and move car bodies around a workshop or garage. By following the instructions in this article,