Some say that necessity is the mother of invention. In fact it was coined by the Greek Philosopher and author, Plato, implying that dire situations inspire ingenious solutions by humans. The problem for me was that being over six foot tall and working on Sinclair C5's tends to give me a few aches and pains! The solution was to make an axle stand, a self balancing device that makes my life that bit easier, whilst still being safe and practical, believe it or not I had another C5 on this device for a whole week over Christmas, even the wind didn't manage to blow it over! So by orientating a complete C5 in an upright position it's now possible to access and work on the complete underside without the need to remove any body parts or components in doing so. Neither is it necessary to use bits of wood, rope or wires. As the C5 is lightly resting on it's boot, no running parts are in contact with the ground, so working on the wheels is also that bit easier too.
Although the axle still rotates, I went onto develop a 'rolling road' option incase I needed to run the C5 upto full speed on battery power alone. This first image shows the axle stand in it's basic form and a complete C5 in the vertical position.
The last image shows the 'rolling road' option.

Excellent I could do with one of those myself  Would you mind if I add one of the pics to the gallery?

Thanks Dan, of course you can add one of the pics to the gallery.

Great design I could do with one

Well you could twist my arm!

Ok it's twisted lol

area if we put him n a double arm lock maybe he will make a couple to sell ?

I think we could manage that Dave lol

Me thinks some of our members are a bit potty.

So you are gonna to twist the poor man's arm so he'll make you a stand.

Pray tell me, lol, how's he gonna make a stand if his arm's twisted?

With great difficulty lol

After having looked at mark's fab construction, I decided I need a couple of them. The only trouble is my physical condition, at my age I have trouble in lifting 20kg never mind the 30kgs of a C5. I'm not looking forward to another hernia operation.

I've bought the material for two stands, but what good will they be if they are stuck in one corner of the garage and the C5s in another. Well I think I've found the solution based on mark's effort.



When the arm is lifted the C5 is pushed back onto the stand, the axle locates in the pivoted top of the uprights, and lift even further, bingo it's upright, At least I hope it is. With this method I can, with ease, park the C5 loaded with two sealed batteries in situe.

I'll be using wood instead of ali, the coffer ain't overflowing. Now I just need some measurements, the long beams, and some casters.

all the weight of the sinclair resting on the booth... donno if thats smart

all the weight of the sinclair resting on the booth... donno if thats smart

It appears to work quite well according to rs20004wd, see post #1.

As they say in Germany, "Was nicht passt, wird passend gemacht" (What does not fit, is made to fit).



I, along with lots of others, have been parking there C5s in this position for many years. Up till now I have had no problems, nor have I read of any. Mark's solution is good in as much, most of the weight is taken up by the uprights, and with only minimal pressure on the boot. Up till now my C5s are sat, on mats, with the full weight on their boots.

Anyway you brought up a good point, I must also fit mats to the stand.

Thanks to _rs20004wd.

I have just built one of the stands out of wood and alloy
.But I need to put some casters on when I get some


http://s1009.photobucket.com/albums/af214/TERESAMACH45/?action=view&current=77ef4f5f85f8838133b56ecd3cee3176_zps21c2c535.jpg&evt=user_media_share




http://s1009.photobucket.com/albums/af214/TERESAMACH45/?action=view&current=dc2c9119ba5228de75ea2f783a7ac627_zpsd5bc8bd2.jpg&evt=user_media_share



http://s1009.photobucket.com/albums/af214/TERESAMACH45/?action=view&current=2a89f01308dcccc06dab30727f551c1a_zpsfd57d54e.jpg&evt=user_media_share



http://s1009.photobucket.com/albums/af214/TERESAMACH45/?action=view&current=1f1318c4ff97a080c7ab0169bc22fc37_zps6c8efca2.jpg&evt=user_media_share

Well done Chas, it's looking great

Thanks Dan another 3 to do next week
Chas \:d/ \:d/ o:)

Hi Chas,

nice, simple, and neat.

Gonna take me a lot longer to produce only two.

Karl like ya idea if you put a bar half way up with an elastic cord on would make is more stable wen moving then just an idea ?

Hi Dave,

many thanks for the idea, but you're just little too late.

When discussing the frame with Chas he mentioned that he was going to fit a system to stabilise the c5 when moving it around. I realised that with my system the C5 could tip backwards if jolted, and as you mentioned, I decided the secure the C5 to the upright with a bungee cord.

The other thing that's not quite right are the front wheel guide plates as they are in the drawing. They are too short. When pushing the C5 back, the front wheel will be beyond the guide plates an can slip off the bar. So they need to be extended.

It's appreciated that you brought the subject up.

No worries mate

Hi just made another stand alloy uprights with plastic tubes over the top
And caster wheels fitted




com/user/jordan8_2009/media/AXLES/7-IMGP4415.jpg.html][/URL]

Hi Chas,

good work, as always. Just a quick question, where's mine?

Here is no 3 but without casters

Have u got a drawing with the sizes on want to make a triple one

Been asked recently for the dimensions for the axle stand.
Base plate is (mm) 750x500, aluminium 3mm thick over a stainless box section frame (stainless steel), box section 20x40.
The uprights are 265mm tall to the centre of the axle and are 340mm apart, 180mm from the widest edge of the base plate and central from either edge.
Hope this helps.