I just built a new frame for mine. I used the original shaft, blocks, and gears. I welded the bushing blocks inside the bottom tube. I run a bolt through the upper rear block so it pivits. The adjuster slides up and down, I made a sleeve inside of the tubing to guide it. The springs raise the upper shaft... I run a 1/8 hp dc gear motor. I have done beads in 16 ga. steel. Takes a few p***es with 16ga. I find using my dial indicater stand with a pointer helps me follow a line if a fence won't work. Jeff
Most of the treadmills I've seen have computerized controllers that don't allow for much manual control of motor speed (plus, they ramp up slowly to allow the runner to build up 'speed' and don't stop immediately either, to keep from throwing the runner.) Motor and gearing would probably work nicely though. I wonder how well an old sewing machine motor would work? Or for that matter, a power window motor? Those things are pretty torquey, slow enough, and can be controlled either by DC voltage control or an easy to build 555IC-based speed controller. Any thoughts?
I junked a treadmill out. I took one look at the motor and said f#$k that. The tag said it was a 90 volt 3000rpm motor. The 90 volt dc part is good but the reduction You need to run it on a bead roller would be 200 to 1. Mine turns 15 rpm and it is still a little fast. Jeff
here is how we did ours, pretty much with ideas taken from here...the wheel is very helpful, makes it much easier to control...
Since this thread has been bumped what size motor should I be looking for to be ideeal to drive a bead roller?
The Pro-Tools I used at Xtralow60's shop had a 1/8 HP motor, and 345-1 reduction. Hell, the whole kit is just 4 bills, better off just buying it and welding it up. Made in the USA, too. Looks like I'll be giving my HF roller to someone I don't like. http://www.pro-tools.com/m3.htm
Inspired from a different post a while ago I just turned my HF bead roller into this a few weeks ago. Heavier the better.
Let me dig between the seats of my car and see if I can scrounge up $495. I'll stick with the $100 HF roller and mod it....lol
The kit is $395, you weld the frame yourself in a few hours. By the time you get the $100 HF roller, steel to re-inforce it, a reversable motor, a gear reduction, foot switch, you get the idea. If you have all that stuff laying around, go for it.
this post inspired my purchase of a bead roller http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1539176#post1539176
Dec 21,2007,The latest price from HF is $199. Realizing it's HF,how do their units hold up? The stiffening and stand would be a given.
Seen the same bead roller on e-bay for around 115 shipped to your door. My uncle has a HF bead roller and works good. Would work better with the stiffening
Just got my Pro-Tools bead roller u-weld-it kit. $400, rariable speed, reversable, all American made even the motor. Nicely machined parts. Heavy wall 2"x3" frame. USA made foot switch. Gear reduction motor. I'll post a thread while I ***emble it.