Bead Roller mod's

[ZRx61]

Dunno if this link has been posted before, but check this out:


http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118726&highlight=roller

[Captainfab]

I found that same link yesterday on another forum. I am really impressed with what that guy has done with a basic piece of crap! He has made it into a really cool looking tool that is also now functional.Makes me want to go buy one so I can do the same thing.:cool2: I'm surprised no one has replied to this post yet....I can't get over what an awesome job he did transforming that HF bead roller.

[MicroZone]

That is an awesome link.
Has anyone found something that will do 16 ga. that is relatively inexpensive?
I need something like that and would like to buy/build one.

[Tyrannosullyrex]

I believe my harbor freight searching capabilities are lacking, does anyone have a link to the HF bead roller?

[Bruce]

Awsome, I want/need one as well! No link from me, I'm looking also?

[ZRx61]

Currently $99.99 instead of the usual 249.99:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Category.taf?CategoryID=631&pricetype=

[MicroZone]

Yep, that is the same one that is always $99. The "sale price" is the everyday price. :)

[Doolittle]

Yep, that one is too cool for school...

[Tyrannosullyrex]

Currently $99.99 instead of the usual 249.99:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Category.taf?CategoryID=631&pricetype=

Thanks, no wonder I couldn't find it, no mention of "bead" or "roller" in the product name. It's in the description though.

[MicroZone]

Just picked up the 18" unit tonight. No suprise, it was $99 and I used the 20% coupon found on this forum. Worked like a champ and I saved about $20. :)

[Bruce]

Hey John, Good Morning,
Where can I find that coupon? Needin' directions<LOL>! :cool2:

[MicroZone]

Just run a search on "harbor freight coupon"...that's how I found it. If you still can't find it, let me know and I'll e-mail it to you.

[Bruce]

Thanks John!

[Countryboy45683]

Can this roller be used to lay beads on 16 ga.

[MicroZone]

Yes - with help from another person...without reinforcement. With reinforcement, it can easily be done. The unit flexes quite a bit, check out my other thread:

http://www.weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=10550

[edl]

realize this is off topic - but can someone pls explain what a bead roller does and how it works? - thanks, ed

[MicroZone]

EDL - they allow you to make beads in relatively thin sheet metal, either mild steel, aluminum or stainless. It also allows you to produce, with other dies, several angles, cut metal, create a lip and a few other things. Here is an example of a rolled bead:

8784

[edl]

thanks john - A+ answer! ed

p.s. is an English Wheel the same thing? A Metal Brake?

[MicroZone]

Welcome EDL - don't mind answering questions. :D

[Bruce]

thanks john - A+ answer! ed

p.s. is an English Wheel the same thing? A Metal Brake?

An english wheel makes compound curves; http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=1560&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=1398&iSubCat=1426&iProductID=1560


A metal brake makes ninty plus or minus degree bends or brakes in steel panels.
Strengthening panels is another job for the bead roller. Eastwood is only one source for any of the mentioned tools, Harbor Freight is another good source. Be advised most these are only hobby grade tools, the old rule of thumb, "You Gets, What Youse Pay For" is for the most part true.

[yellow]

While on topic of brakes, rollers, and presses; I've been scratching my head on how to accomplish this 1" or so radius on this sheet of metal. I know a slip roller will allow me to accomplish the large radius but how do I get this nice radius on the very top. I am trying to reproduce this very part cheaply and at home. I am assuming that this part was pressed from some very big and expensive press?

Edit: Sorry for this post being far off topic and in the wrong forum. I was reading through and went with the flow.

[MicroZone]

Yellow - there are several ways to achieve that. You could roll it in roll press and then shrink form the edge with a shrinking hammer and a dolly or use a shrinker and then planish it out.

Any other questions, just ask. If you want to do some reading, check out metalmeet.com. Great bunch of metal formers over there. I've read into the wee hours of the night and into the morning many times. :laugh:

[yellow]

Thanks for the suggestions Micro. I would need to make about 20-30 of these and the mentioned methods seem a bit time consuming and labor intensive. Metal working in not really one of my major talents. I was hoping there was some type of roller or inexpensive press that could form the shapes/curves I was looking for. I basically need some elongated oval shapes with some 4” skirts very similar to a commercial lawnmower deck. I wanted the radius to aid in air flow but I guess 90 degree angles will have to suffice. I can't mention what the project is for but I am experimenting with vacuum forming high impact ABS plastic as well. Metal forming would be a sure thing but hot plastic is a lot easier to work with on a forming table.

[MicroZone]

They do make some amazing commercial machines that will stamp out such a curve. Unless you order multiples in 25, 50 or 100, some companies won't touch any requests. I found that out when ordering CNC mandrel piping for my turbo kits. I wanted a company that could bend the entire kit up at once versus me welding small pieces.

Sometimes, in order to get started a bit of manual labor is involved. Other than that, you could try making the radius on an e-wheel and then welding the 2 pieces together.

Depending on where you're located, I could probably help or ask a few of the guys on the metal forum. Let me know...

[yellow]

Thank you very much Micro. You've been overly generous in offering to help. Over the next couple of weeks I'll be experimenting with the options I have. If I don’t make much progress I’ll get back in touch with you and perhaps we can brainstorm some new ideas. I’ll send updated pics of my progress as it goes but since I have long butchered up this thread…it’ll be on the pm level. Thanks