bead rolled pippe ends(not sure were to post this)

[lilpeenoiracer]

i have aluminum pipes any where from 2" to 3" in diameter which id like to have the ends bead rolled. i want to be able to do all this my self in my garage but i dont want to spend 300+ on a expensive bead roller shops use, ive seen the harbor sheet freight sheet metal bead rollers. would i be able to use a sheet metal bead roller to bead roll the pipe ends?

thanks
titus

[comp]

would a HF bead roller work ???

[1320stang]

Probably not, the dies are at least 2" dia. it would also depend on the thickness of the pipes.

[comp]

Hmmmmmm i have seen smaller die;s ,,on some brand of budget roller

[danski0224]

Depending on the depth, Earls or Aeroquip may have something that will work.

[mike944]

Depending on how good you are at fabrication, you could always buy a set of "replacement dies" for one of the bead rollers, and fabricate the rest of the tool yourself. Heck, if you're good with a lathe, you can probably make the rollers too.

[Freejack]

Look on eBay for Parker tube beading tools, will likely cost about 100 a set. These were often used in the aircraft industry to roll beads in the in of full line.

Here's one listed in the UK, you will see them in the US from time to time: http://cgi.ebay.com/PARKER-AIRCRAFT-HAND-BEADING-TOOL-SET-No-416-BOXED-VGC_W0QQitemZ270181489169QQihZ017QQcategoryZ42337Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem

Jake

[ryanawesome]

http://www.roadraceengineering.com/eclipsetech/icpipebead.htm

Try this technique for a cheap alternative. i have also seen where a bump is welded onto the top of the vicegrip jaw and a cutout is made on the other jaw and then clamped to form the bead by going around the tube.