My HF Bead Roller....I know, I know!!

good thread. its cool to see the HF crap turned into something that can be used.

Good Job everyone.

 

looks like you guys DE-CHINKED the stuff!

 

Keep in mind, only the China dies will fit; dies for US rollers like Pro Tools are different.

 

What a great idea. I got one of those also, and I have enough steel for fabricating it, which I will do. my problem is the stool hoop I used it for the steering wheel on my 28 chevy.

 

Great work on all of those rollers! I'll definately have to apply the beef up to my HF roller.

The thing that gets me is how much more would the cost of the HF roller set be if HF added the simple angle and gussets that Ian did, maybe $10??? I guess if they had bench tested their prototype... Then again, maybe HF will "improve" the design down the road.

 

HAHA!! Great steering wheel though!!

Ian

 

They're too busy Mass-producing!!

Ian

 

Hey Murfman, Just wondering what the specs are on the motor and the foot assembly? Also what is that on the top of the beadroller...a switch? Any advice on setting the beadroller up with motor and foot control pedal? thanks

 

I am using a Dayton gear motor I bought from Ebay, the foot switch is just a foot operated momentary switch I wired in line, and the switch on top is a maintained On-On switch that I wired for directional control. Overall weight of the bead roller would be my only advise, mine is 275 Lbs, but at least it does not flex! I am collecting parts for a gantry crane to move it around the shop! I welded a 2" x 14" stub of box tube to the bottom of it to mount it to a receiver hitch I have on the side of my work bench (I have a modular work bench setup, I cam mount My bead roller, my brake, or my vise to the side of my 5' x 5' work bench, or leave them all off for big projects that have to hang off the side of the bench), but its so damn heavy. Good thing I lug around 500 Lbs of test weights every day calibrating scales for my day job, or I wouldn't be able to move it.

 

To connect the motor to the bead roller, I just bored a hole in the center of the HF lower roller shaft, cross drilled it, and inserted a roll pin. I have seen no distrtion of the pin so far.

 

murfman throw a little grease on those gears will ya?

 

Not as pretty as some but they work a lot better with a little beef added. Used a 1950 ford wheel with horn ring for class.

 

Very nice guys.

If you're gonna use a 3 bolt hot rod wheel you can get the adapter from a GM wheel.

Just cut the spokes and plastic away, clean up on the grinder and you're in business.




"Course a GM wheel is a given.

Maybe I could use my 37 Zephyr wheel on a bead roller....

 

I had a Speedway quick disconnect on mine with a metalflake purple wheel, but with the motor its an easy one man job, turning the wheel and keeping the roller on track was a PITA. With the foot pedal and motor, its like buttering bread.

 

Heres how i did mine. It's not a harbor freight but from Woodward fab. I used an original spare from a '59 plymouth with a '65 Dodge hubcap, an early 50's bus steering wheel with a model A hubcap for a "horn button", and a glass doorknob for the adjuster so i dont have to look for a wrench every time i use it. I drilled holes in the base and installed a bolt so it telescopes, goes from about 3.5 feet from the ground up to eye level. i painted it with '62 impala dash paint to keep it as car related as possible. the rest is just welded together scraps i had around.

 

I know this is an old thread. I just bought my first bead roller and plan on reinforcing it. Any else out there have some custom bead rollers? By the way Ian yours is real nice.

 

My welding is far from pretty but it got the job done and I made mine height adjustable so other 'shorter' people can use it too.

 

This one is nice too. HF or...? I bought a Woodward Fab one. 149.99 shipped to my door.

 

It's a 'MAGNUM' which I'm guessing is the Canadian version of the H.F.

 

Woodward Fab also offers a Chinese made bead roller. It is cheaper shipped than the Harbor Freight ones are out the door. And it is made of heavier (3/8") material. I'm not saying you would not want to hot rod it a bit. But it seems to be a better machine and a better deal.

http://www.woodwardfab.com/woodward_fab_bead_rollers.htm

 

This is the one I picked up. Thanks.

 

HF,, too much fun ..
need to add,:
large dia, wheel,
better knobs for height/pressure adjustments.