$5 DIY internal bead forming tool for small tubing

[crashbumper]

This isn't my picture, I found it while searching for internal bead forming tools. I went and bought the HF cutter mentioned below but I have not made mandrels yet.

I think I found this on an aircraft forum; a member made this tool from a $5 HF pipe cutter to form internal beads on small diameter tubing. This is the only picture, but it should be self explanatory. The other one he was building (underneath) didn't work very well, but he said the pipe cutter model worked great.

The cutter info:

HF #40913
$4.99

It's actually very similar to a tool made by Graham ($149.95).

Just wanted to get this info up here in case anyone can make use of it.

 

[gkring]

How do you make the mandrels?
I have been using the mastercool flaring tool to make push to connect flares that work the same as rolling a bead. this looks to be a slick idea, but making the mandrels may involve some fancy tools of their own?

 

[timmytomas]

Thats a cheap buy.

 

[crashbumper]

How do you make the mandrels?

The guy probably had a lathe.

I've been trying to find other items I could buy with that same shape as a substitute or better starting point, but no luck.

 

[rylon]

I have acess to a lathe and nothing to make at the moment, if you have dimensions I might be able to make some mandrels for you for the cost of materials and shipping,given that they can be mild steel. I can't do the welding though so that may affect your decision.

Rylon

 

[crashbumper]

I have acess to a lathe and nothing to make at the moment, if you have dimensions I might be able to make some mandrels for you for the cost of materials and shipping,given that they can be mild steel. I can't do the welding though so that may affect your decision.

Rylon

Rylon,

I will get you dimensions tonight. Welding I can handle, I just don't have access to a lathe.

 

[rylon]

Cool sounds like fun!!

Email is the best way rylonjerome (at) gmail (dot) com

Rylon

 

[sicklyscott]

Oh man, i'd love a beading tool!

 

[jezze269]

I would be interested in buying some mandrels. I just picked up a tig welder so id love to put it to use.

 

[rylon]

We'll have to see how it goes on the lathe, and if everyone can use the same dimensions, that way I don't have to make multiple tools.

Rylon

 

[grego]

I have a lathe also, can I get the dimensions to see if I can make up some mandrels?

 

[crashbumper]

Sorry for the delay guys; was sick since last Wednesday so I didn't get into the garage. I'll do my best to get these tomorrow!

 

[kooldino]

Very cool!

I could use one of these that would work on 2.5" stainless 16 gage.

 

[lilredex]

Why not just use your flaring tool (with the double flare button) and put a "bulb" on the end of the tubing? Been doing this one forever, same result, no?

 

[purplepeopleeater]

bump, any updates on something like this?

 

[DanCo]

Kicking a dead horse there.

 

[NASTYZEN]

Excellent deal for 5 bucks!
This is what I built for myself. For more than 5 bucks.......

Sorry , no drawings. what you see is what you get.

 

[purplepeopleeater]

homemade dies I assume? that looks doable cept the dies.

 

[toolman1967]

Great idea, heading out to the lathe now to make it!

 

[fordcragar]

What's the smallest tube size that anyone has made a mandrel to fit? It seems to me that 1/4" I.D. tube would be about the smallest that you could do.

 

[purplepeopleeater]

I'd be happy with 1/2''-5/8''

You could use a double ended brakeline flaring tool if you needed something smaller.

 

[NASTYZEN]

If your going to invest time in making one of these. Start by finding small bearings and then design from there.
Mine has no bearings and is limited. Next one I make is going to have bearings for sure.

 

[MBfreak]

Crashbumper.

Thanks a million, I made a test with some basic mods on a pipe cutter and it worked great on copper pipes.

Will proceed to make a real tool based on the same principle.

Best regards

Ola

 

[jpsgarage]

I took the above idea and made one of these using an old tubing cutter. I did cave man the process a bit as I don't have a lathe, but do have a welder.

The grooves in the wheels were cut with a Dremmel too then cleaned up with a small round file. (I was careful not to cut too deep)
The round file cleaned up the grooves and gave them the right shape.

The cutting wheel through bolt was very small, so I drilled and tapped a 6mmx1 hole where that was. (Can be any size in that range)

3 washers were used to offset a small 1/8 plate so it was 90 degrees to the wheels. (Close to 90, anyway)

Then I found a vw valve cover bolt that had just the right shape to it.



I cut the head off it and screwed it into a nut (6mmx1, but you can use anything) that I welded to the 1/8 plate. You can see that at the top of the first pic.

I needed to put a bead around a small 1/2" cooler pipe made of soft material. The first test went okay but I needed to smooth out the wheel grooves more.

Second test went well. Greasing up the pipe worked wonders.



Here it is all together



It works better than expected. This won't do very large pipe, but it is adjustable.

Hope this helps someone out there!

Jp

 

[DGersic]

I did this last year. I need to get back to the project in the spring.

Post in thread 'What did you do "IN" your garage today?'
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...-do-in-your-garage-today.126997/post-10257931

 

[The Cobbler]

great, another tool that I need to add to the arsenal . I have a few cutters that I could use already .