Bead roller question

Ran a search, but couldn't find anything.

I picked up the HF bead roller. I'm doing the stiffening mods. I've never used a bead roller before, and I was curious as to whether anybody has any recommendations for a good working height for a bead roller (ie, waist high, chest high, etc)? I looked at all the pics on here, but I had a hard time judging the working height.

Thanks!

Eric

 

I mount mine in a vise on a work bench which is probaly chest high for me, seems to work fine.

 

I mount mine just below eye level seated on a bar stool. Works well when standing and you can sit down for smaller and more detailed pieces

 

check out www.metalmeet.com heaven!

 

let me (us) know how that roller works out. might pick one up soon!

 

Mine is about 3 foot high >>>>.

 

Elbow high, about 44" on me.

 

I made my bead roller it's about chest high.Pat

 

I've been using one for decades and the height isn't as important - keep it high enough so you don't hurt your back, 32" approx - the important thing is to have a table to support the work piece that you are rolling. The picture above is a very nice electric operated unit and if it had a table the machine would be as good as anything out there and able to make some precision pieces and moldings not just bumps in the metal. Good luck and have fun, oj

 

I had it table mounted for years when I used to do race car interiors....If the need arises I will make a bolt on table for it.
Here are some bumps I made with it as is.

 

Thanks for all the tips!

I finally got around to taking a pic (please excuse my lack of welding skill). I think that I made the base wider than necessary. I'm going to put some wheels on the back of it so I can tilt it back to roll it around. It's sort of between elbow and chest high. It seems to be a comfortable working height.

Now, if i can convince my fiance to spend enough time turning the crank, I'll hopefully get proficient enough to turn out some decent stuff!

Eric

 

It takes some practice to get the right cranking speed while making turns work on some s**** for awhile. Pat

 

I made an adjustable stand for mine, using a trailer jack, so I can just crank 'er up to the height of what ever table is handy, or eyeball level, if needed. works great, I'll try to get a picture up. Jay

 

I just measured mine.....one is 42" from the floor to the rollers, the other is 44" to the rollers.... I also have a Model T steering wheel on both of mine.

 

Cut the mounting hub off of the crank, weld a flat plate to the end of the hub and drill and tap the plate for the standard 3 hole steering wheel mount pattern, then you can use the bead roller without the fiance having to crank for you...

 

That pic makes me completely ill. I could spend a year with one of those things and not come close to making something that beautiful. Thanks for the pic! Man!

 

Thanks Johnny I did a post on that console awhile back. Pat