Tool Tech: Another HF Bead Roller Stand...

What are you guys finding for a price on those HF Rollers ? The OP said he got his for $99 back in 2006

last ad I saw was for $179+ and with 20% off, it's $143 and some change plus your sales tax.

There's Eastwood Bead Rollers on ebay for $150 and Free Shipping. Look to be the same thing as HF, although Eastwood says the main frame is 1/2". Is that the same as the HF version?

 

So I have this job to do that is going to require some work on a bead roller. I have an old HF sitting in the corner colecting dust. I knew that it would need a lot of work to get it in shape to do the job so I started poking around to get some ideas and found them here on this site. I think it's obvious where I gained inspiration from, so I hope thats ok.

I picked up some custom dies from Hoosier Profiles and got to work modifying my machine. I don't have alot to add, pretty much the same story as a lot of you. Most of the materials I already had. I spent way too much time on it but had a lot of fun with as I think you can see. The truck wheel came "thrown in" with a '49 ford project. The lugs on the side are for a guide rail that I'm working on now. The machine works, still flexes too much, but I think it will do the job it's intended for.

Lou

 

You have to add square tube etc as bracing.Like this:



No flexing after that...

 

Not a really good pic of the changes to the HF bead roller,but my buddy,David Bloss made the stand and the tensioner and now the thing will roll 18 GA sheet metal with ease.I'm looking for a steering wheel to adapt to the 1 1/16" shaft to change out the crank handle to a wheel.
Bead rollers are infectious and fun to create beads for strengthening or designs with.
You've been warned....

 

Mine:

 

Waking up an old thread here since I'm looking to automate my HF roller too.

That surplus center link looks like the ticket.

I found a different winch motor I wanted to share. It's a cheapo HF unit and costs a bit more than the others, BUT it's 120v already and has a wired controller with big buttons:
1500 lb. Capacity 120 Volt AC Electric Winch
http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lb-capacity-120-volt-ac-electric-winch-96127.html
or
http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lb-capacity-120-volt-ac-electric-winch-61672.html

 

Nice job !

 

I used a HF 440/880 lb 110 v for a power unit, but in my opinion; it's not heavy enough.

I would recommend the 1500 lb version that patmanta shared a link to above.

The FWD/REV shouldn't be too hard to adapt to the foot control on that one either.

Here's my bead roller made from an Eastwood BR & using the 440/880 winch.
Eastwood's is much the same as HF.
Maybe useful info for other HAMBers.

I added the tapered square tubing pieces to the "back-side" and another piece vertically.
The vertical piece slides into a bigger square tube that's welded to a base plate for mounting to a table.
The frame doesn't flex now, but the motor just doesn't have the guts to roll 16ga.
I may get the 1500lb motor and adapt it.








Added this torsion spring to lift the upper roller and shaft back up when the hand crank releases the pressure on it. The spring is out of a spring clamp, and is strong enough to do the job.

 

I'm glad you answered that question because I didn't think to ask! I was looking at that very unit at the same time I was looking at the 1500lb one thinking it might have enough grunt. How does it do on 20 & 18ga? Because it might still be an option for folks who don't need to roll on 16.

 

How much are we talking for the conversion?

 

Along the lines of the bead roller stand I built 10 years ago, I just made up a shrinker/stretcher stand with some "style". I had bought a pair of the USA made shrinker/stretchers, but needed a kick type stand.

I picked up one of these Harbor Freight stands on sale, but decided to just use it as a kit to build my own stand.


I used the foot pedals, brackets and hardware from the HF stand, but welded them all on an old KRW brake riveter stand I had. I added some curved gussets under the top plate for a little more strength and style.


Thought some of you might like to do something similar, so figured I would share.

Neal

 

Saw this at a RodRider’s banquet in Long Beach a couple years ago. Someday I’ll get to mine!