Just spose I wanted to start a motor without it being in the car, I would mount it on an engine stand I spose but how would I turn it over seeing as the starter is mounted to the gearbox ?, what cables would I require to get it going ?, obviously I would need power and earth to the dizy and probably to the auto choke and fuel cut off if it had them, could it be started with a socket used as a crank ?, that sounds like a serious OH&S violation. Would the engine stand hold it ok if I did get it started?
All hypothetical you understand.

put it on the ground........got an old gearbox?, just strap that to it and use the starter.

throw a switch in the + to the coil, might save ya in an emergency

My first VW had a pull cord on the gennie pulley with a notch cut into it for a knot to slip into and wrap a few turns, pull away and...volah.

It was in a buggy and i think being a tired 36er helped.

No trouble starting a vw engine on the floor, heaps safer than in a stand, and you definately won't be the first.

yep. i have done it.

I went to a Holden wrecker years ago, and they started 3 motors on the ground using a portable trolley with battery, fuel and hand held starter. They hooked up the fuel and power, and held the starter against the flywheel and there it went.

Here is a link to a site that gives instructions on building an engine starter stand.
http://germanretro.com/wiki/index.php/Engine_Start_Stand 

Well thanks fellas, even though I bow to experience I can't help feeling that I would want some sort of support when the motor is sitting on the ground, is it simply sitting on the sump? Mike, the engine starter stand is just to hold the tools, petrol and starter power as I read it, is that correct? but they do mention bolting the motor to a motor stand with an old bell housing from a bus, why wouldn't you use one from the type of motor you are working on?

Bus tranny's have a removable bell housing, type 1's don't. A big wide, strong stand like in the link would be good, otherwise on the ground issurprisingly good and no further to fall!!! A piee of carpet or plywood would save any scuffs on the engine block.

I didn't really read the whole link I just found it while I was trying to find this link
http://zalexindustries.com/ 

Hi

I used top have a starter section cut from an old gearbox, it just bolted on with 2 bolts on right side of motor.

Or get an old 1/2 inch speed brace, cut the hand section off and fit the correct socket for the crank pulley nut on the end, then stick the thing in a decent electric drill, very easy.

Steve