English Wheel reccomendations

[Zumo]

I am thinking about getting an english wheel. Over the past 2 years or so I have been buying metal working tool and sort of teaching myself to metal work. Right now I am mainly using them to restore and modify old bicycles. Now I am to the point to where I want to create custom "tanks" for some of these old beach cruiser style bikes and I want them to be curved not trapezoidal.

I presume it don't have to be real heavy duty since the gauge of metal I will be working with won't be real thick. Here is one I am looking at now:

http://www.harborfreight.com/english-wheel-kit-with-stand-68385.html

I would love to find a used one at a reasonable price.

 

[bobadame]

It shouldn't be hard to find one of these for cheap. I suspect that most of the people who own one of these HF wheels would like to be rid of them.

 

[bobadame]

By the way, the hottest temperature I've ever experienced was in Waxhachie Texas. 121 degrees F.

 

[Justanoldguy]

By the way, the hottest temperature I've ever experienced was in Waxhachie Texas. 121 degrees F.

That's nice

 

[ZRX61]

The Horrible Fright ones are ok..... if you weld up all the joints after it's bolted together & then brace the hell out of it

Have a look here for modifications & ideas etc:

http://allmetalshaping.com/

http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/index.php

 

[Zumo]

Thanks guys, and it can get hot here. Just to clarify I would like to find a used one from a body shop that doesn't necessarily have to be a HF brand.

 

[ZRX61]

In that case, try to find an old Frost.

 

[rockwithjason]

i would look seriously at a mittler bros. unit. it's not cheap but it's the last one you will buy

 

[Zumo]

I need to start searching estate sales, maybe I can find one that needs a new life.

 

[ed_v]

In all honesty, if you don't want to spend thousands of dollars, look into the Harbor Freight or even the one from Baileigh. The issue is the same with all the lower priced units.... the frames aren't stiff enough, anvils don't line up properly or need machining.

I have the HF unit. It does fine for me. I'm just a hobbliest and most of the things I've used it for have been simple projects.

Ed

 

[Zumo]

Ed,

I am leaning in that direction but I am taking my time just incase I find a deal and a better quality unit.

 

[Perrorojo]

Finding a good used one is tougher than you'd think. I've been looking for a while but the quality English Wheels hold their value. Planishng hammers are the same. I'm at the point where i may buy a set of wheels from Hoosier Profiles and then fab the rest of the machine. You may have better luck in Texas then I'm having up here.

That said, from everything I've read about the HF piece it will need some extra support.