Just got off the phone with Matt townsend from Townsend customs. What a humble and laid back cat. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=571666 But, we have a little problem. He is on the fence about what machine to pick. He can't make up his mind! He has $1,000 of free money to purchase any tool in our line up. It's like sheet metal fabrication overload. Got any advice for him?
Actually, I think he should send everything to me. That way, there will be no pressure upon him to make the correct choice. Stu
Use the 80 / 20 rule. What type of work do you do 80% of the time? What tool(s) would enable you to increase the amount of work and shorten the amount of time (efficient)? That's what I would focus on.... Good luck!
I voted for his thread...therefore, I should get a percentage of that award...tell him to PM me and we'll negotiate... R-
Bead roller vs. Shrinker stretcher But then maybe a magnetic brake, but wait....maybe a shear...or wait....maybe.....
Wow that is a Hard choice, both are needed Tools. I vote bead roller, ****ttttt Shrinker Stretcher would be awesome as well.
I think he should get both and pay the difference. That would solve it. The man needs tools. He's still way ahead of the game. I wish I would have won. I would have had no problem choosing.
Hey, Hands down, the easyest choice- The bead roller! What dies the roller doesn't include can be easily made on a lathe. The beader doesn't have a large ''foot print'' & that's important for any sized shop. A shear or brake are great for production work, but automotive...............nah! Most shrinking or stretching are covered by the Lancaster sized units unless you're a big time metalshaper, in which case you know other methods to cover these needs. Con grats Matt! " Do not be too quick to drink the Kool - Aid "
shrinker/stretcher all day long you can get a harbor freight roller that works real well with some reinforcements but a nice shrinker/stretcher is something you can't easly make work my .02 tk
Shrinker stretcher is my advice. I actually bought one after my thread didn't make the final 11. After that I'd say bead roller.
I think a shear would be most practical. can't roll any beads or shrink /stretch until you cut your metal to size.
Given the choice myself, I'd be all over the bead roller in a heartbeat. I could be a little bit biased though, because I won a Bailiegh bead roller in a similar contest last fall on the metalshaping websites. Nice machine, you'll be happy with it if you decide to go that route. A shrinker/stretcher is tempting too, but I can do a lot of the things they do with other methods in the meantime, so I went for the powered bead roller because I figured I'll get the most use out of it. Have fun with your new toy Matt, regardless of which one you pick. Excellent tech article by the way, those tail lights are a clever idea. Ken
ya im probably going to go with the bead roller. i already have a shrinker/stretcher but i want some deep throat ones eventually, i have a beadroller which ****s and the Baileigh one looks pretty nice. i have a feeling as soon as i sell my next merc, i will be ordering a few goodies from shane!
Shane, you know what I would have bought. The CS-225M is a real nice machine if you cut a lot of tube up to 2". Could he buy several small items like your 8" Shear and this bad boy: http://www.bii1.com/ironworkers/hp-160.php My shear has saved me tons of time around the shop. I made a pair of fenders for my BIL and used it to notch angles in the sheetmetal so they would fit up for welding. As quick as a pull on the handle. I guess the next thing I need is a bead roller too. So, I can see why he's on the fence.
I've always wanted a shrinker streatcher myself. Made my own bead roller and have everything I need to make a break ( pan break type) but shrinker streatcher is a little harder and if i had a chance i would like to have one. So I vote shrinker streatcher. No help right?
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