Bead roller talk. What works, what doesn't?

[Gamble]

I need a budget bead roller for intercooler pipes and such. Anyone have any recommendations on what works well and what works like ****?
Looking at the eastwood and harbor freight ones for now. Not sure what else is out there.

 

[Sincitymetalworks]

I have the hf bead roller... It's ok but you have to make a few mods to make it work like it should.you have to stiffen it up there's way to much flex in it. I also made a few dies for it.

 

[lametec]

There's the DIY approach:

http://www.motorgeek.com/viewtopic.php?p=249412

 

[Gamble]

I have the hf bead roller... It's ok but you have to make a few mods to make it work like it should.you have to stiffen it up there's way to much flex in it. I also made a few dies for it.

I really ideally would love a small one like 6" or so, but those seem to be more expensive. I don't need another huge tool taking up space. I ready that people were welding bars and such to the back side to stiffen it up but anything else?

There's the DIY approach:

http://www.motorgeek.com/viewtopic.php?p=249412

I don't have a way to make the dies. And I tried one similar to that but didn't like the results.

 

[Sincitymetalworks]

I really ideally would love a small one like 6" or so, but those seem to be more expensive. I don't need another huge tool taking up space. I ready that people were welding bars and such to the back side to stiffen it up but anything else?




I don't have a way to make the dies. And I tried one similar to that but didn't like the results.

I'm in line at the DMV when I get back to my shop I will take some pictures for you.

 

[csp]

It's kinda bootyfab, but I've seen several variations on this one:

http://www.fullthrottlev6.com/forums/showthread.php?65736-DIY-intercooler-pipe-bead-quot-roller-quot

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/custom-fabrication/324132-homemade-intercooler-pipe-bead-tool.html

One of my favorite threads of modified HF rollers:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118726

 

[rsanter]

There's the DIY approach:

http://www.motorgeek.com/viewtopic.php?p=249412

That is so cool inwant one even though I don't even need one

Bob

 

[Sincitymetalworks]

Ya it I a little bulky and takes up room but off I need my table for something larger I can in bolt it pretty quick. Everything I built this with was **** I had laying around..

 

[Gamble]

^^Hey that looks good. I may have to get one.

It's kinda bootyfab, but I've seen several variations on this one:

http://www.fullthrottlev6.com/forums/showthread.php?65736-DIY-intercooler-pipe-bead-quot-roller-quot

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/custom-fabrication/324132-homemade-intercooler-pipe-bead-tool.html

One of my favorite threads of modified HF rollers:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118726

I made one of those and I don't like it to be honest.

 

[racingtadpole]

It's kinda bootyfab, but I've seen several variations on this one:

http://www.fullthrottlev6.com/forums/showthread.php?65736-DIY-intercooler-pipe-bead-quot-roller-quot

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/custom-fabrication/324132-homemade-intercooler-pipe-bead-tool.html

One of my favorite threads of modified HF rollers:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118726

Kinda bootyfab?
Mate those things are beyond ghetto...

 

[ed_v]

Looking at the eastwood and harbor freight ones for now....QUOTE]

I'm buying a Mitler Bros. very soon. I know Woodward Fab has one that is pretty decent but I've heard their cheaper one is no better than the Harbor Freight. I haven't heard much on the Eastwood.

Ed

 

[Sincitymetalworks]

Looking at the eastwood and harbor freight ones for now....QUOTE]

I'm buying a Mitler Bros. very soon. I know Woodward Fab has one that is pretty decent but I've heard their cheaper one is no better than the Harbor Freight. I haven't heard much on the Eastwood.

Ed

The cheap one from eastwood is exactly like hf's. I already knew that I was going to have to modify it when I bought It.. I will get a mitler bros someday... A fab shop that I help at from time to time has one and man it's nice to have power feed!

 

[steel 35]

A lot of guys try to figure out how to motorize them if you don't you need a buddy to turn the handle, I motorized one I bought from summit and beefed it up Had I paid for the motor, converter to change the speed and the pedal, switch it would have been cheaper to cough it up and buy good one.

 

[Grumpy365]

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118726&referrerid=105666

Here is a good build thread.

The HAMB is a good resource for bead rolling.

 

[Sincitymetalworks]

A lot of guys try to figure out how to motorize them if you don't you need a buddy to turn the handle, I motorized one I bought from summit and beefed it up Had I paid for the motor, converter to change the speed and the pedal, switch it would have been cheaper to cough it up and buy good one.

I made mine a one person job by machining a slide that goes over the shaft and welding a 1/2 drive adapter to it so I can use my long handles flex head ratchet to turn it gives me ton of control since it ratchets..

 

[nonhog]

http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=58790&highlight=bead+roller

 

[projectPONY]

I'm in the market for one also. Does anyone know how the Woodward Fab piece compares to the Eastwood and HF?

 

[steel 35]

I made mine a one person job by machining a slide that goes over the shaft and welding a 1/2 drive adapter to it so I can use my long handles flex head ratchet to turn it gives me ton of control since it ratchets..

You are better then I, I need two hands to drive.......

I'm in the market for one also. Does anyone know how the Woodward Fab piece compares to the Eastwood and HF?

Mine is a Woodward it is cheaper, but otherwise I think they may be made from the same block.

 

[projectPONY]

...anyone else sell the better quality ones besides Mitler Bro.?

 

[Sincitymetalworks]

You are better then I, I need two hands to drive.......



Mine is a Woodward it is cheaper, but otherwise I think they may be made from the same block.

Your panels are probably a lot bigger then mine usually are.

 

[Sincitymetalworks]

I'm in the market for one also. Does anyone know how the Woodward Fab piece compares to the Eastwood and HF?

Both are ok for the price just need to beef them up a little so they don't flex.. This was this afternoon with my hf roller

 

[spoolgarage]

I use a beadform tool but last I checked they go for 500.

 

[uncle johnny]

Woodward Eastwood and HF all junk. Spend a few extra bucks up front and get a M.B.
You'll regret it if you don't.

Johnny

 

[racingtadpole]

Does the budget run to $150 for this USA made bad boy?

http://www.tubebeadingtool.com/

Certainly looks a lot nicer than a pair of vice grips being molested by a washer and exhaust clamp.

 

[MP&C]

To show some of the versatility of a beadroller, here's a couple of fabrication threads using my Fasti (German made)....

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149532


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2303082&postcount=932


This was a used machine found on CL. (hint-hint)

 

[willymakeit]

There is a good thread on the HAMB about bead roller and modifying them. The high dollar tools are great if you use them every day. For occasional work it is easier and more economical to modify the cheaper units.
I beefed my HF unit up and it does fairly decent.
Has anybody looked at usung a chain drive garage door opener motor for the drive? I found one scrounging and it has forward and reverse.

 

[e-tek]

I agree^^^
I do some of the same fab work as does MP&C (maybe not as well!) and although top-end tools are always nice, you can get by - and need to learn - with the basics. An anvil, vice, shot bag and assortment of dollys/anvils/hammers have always served me well. I finally bought a brake and a roller to make things easier - and straighter!

 

[smith541]

There was the time when I wan also looking for the budget bead roller. I did a lot of searches, read many forums, user reviews. After the analysis I found some of the best budget bead roller as given below:
Woodward Fab WFBR6 Bead Rolling Kit, Rotary Machine Bead Roller, Harbor Freight, Pro-Tools.
I also did found this link where you can compare all the budget bead rollers.
http://hubpages.com/autos/top-10-bead-rollers

 

[gungatim]

There is a good thread on the HAMB about bead roller and modifying them. The high dollar tools are great if you use them every day. For occasional work it is easier and more economical to modify the cheaper units.
I beefed my HF unit up and it does fairly decent.
Has anybody looked at usung a chain drive garage door opener motor for the drive? I found one scrounging and it has forward and reverse.

that's where I got the inspiration for modding my HF unit. tried to make it like the original but it came out looking like snoopy's head...but it works great for what I do. the steering wheel is from a yard sale and makes using it by yourself pretty easy.

first pic when done, 2nd one is 8 yrs. later and lots of use...stickers hide the ugly weld job...whatever metal it's made out of welds for ****...

 

[SM Racing]

http://vibrantperformance.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=1022_1323_1324

I have one of these and it works well. I use it on tubing and even flat sheets and other pieces.

 

[kerrynzl]

My brother tack welded 3 small pieces of solid round steel [2 on one side 1 on the other] to a pair of Vice-Grip pliers to make a crimping tool to swage turbo pipes

 

[50cal]

Not sure what your budget is but here is a wide variety .

http://www.trick-tools.com/Industrial_Powered_Bead_Rollers_347

 

[LXCam]

I just bolted angle iron to my HF unit and it does what I'm capable of doing.