Tool Tech: Another HF Bead Roller Stand...

Here's some pix of mine.

I cut an exact copy on the cnc and bolted them together. I put a slide on my version to have a back stop.





And change all those chinese nuts and bolts.

 

The "nutz & bolts" was a great idea!

 

Not done yet, still need to paint it. I have $45 in the steel to build it. It is real strong now and doesn't flex at all. My next plans are to add a gearmotor and a foot pedal.

 

Damn what a great thread!

Seems fathers day brought me a bead roller....so now i gotta step up and get with the program so mine can join the club!


Leon

 

I couldn't resist... I am building mine right now!

 

Here's mine, tried to sell it a while back since I got a Mittler, but it doesn't cost anything to stay in the shop and I still use it on heavier stuff.

Dave

 

Not as pretty as yours but I just made a table for mine and powered it with a motor from an ambulance wheelchair lift, just need to make a foot control now

 

I planned on putting a VFD on mine too but the Mittler already has a motor so I went with steering wheel drive. The upper structure is all bolted on so a motor in the future is bolt on deal.

Dave

 

I couldn't resist the beautiful shape of the green one that started this post. I got the Woodward Fab one (CHEAP from Summit) and started sketching designs. Here's what I came up with. Thanks for everyone posting their versions. I learned much and got the drive to build mine!

 

Here's mine HF based beadroller:





These pics are 2-3 yrs old.I get rid off the crank and at these days i have a steering wheel from some old bus bolted on

 

what a work of art outstanding job making an inexpensive roller look way cool and function better

 

Thanks for all the posts guys! I just bought a bead roller out of the classifieds and need to modify it.

 

Here it is actually finished.

 

Well done, did you make the wheel as well?

 

No, the wheel was cut off of and old bar stool.

 

I love this thread. I just bitched about my HF bead roller this afternoon...I need to find some metal and start the mod.

 

very cool!!!

 

I hate junk Harbor Freight Chinese stuff, but you guys have done nice jobs of disguising/reinforcing them into useful tools you don't have to hide...especially like the brass tag.

 

What a great thread! Very inspiring. . .I've got a few things that could use some "disguising". . .

. . .glad I was linked to this thread and thanks for sharing!

 

For those interested in electric power, here's how one guy powered his Harbor Freight tubing roller:
http://www.swagoffroad.com/Harbor-Freight-Tubing-Roller-Electric-Drive-Bottle-Jack-Kit_p_74.html

I believe his build thread for the roller and it's accessories is here on the H.A.M.B.

 

Well i get zero points for originality. I couldn't help but follow the lines Neal in CA laid out. Im 25 and just getting into this hobby, so sadly i can't say i was able to make it out of scraps i had laying around. It started out as a Woodward fab roller which uses 1/2" plate. I was able to flex the plates 3/4 of an inch at the end using a 24" pry bar before the modification. Now i struggle to tweak them 1/8".

 

Nice job yaidunno!

 

That does look familiar
Nice work!
Neal
Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app

 

on the power feed units whats good power unit to use? what kind of HP and gear reduction and speed works? is there something I can find cheep, maybe some kind of power tool I could modify and mount up to a HF Bead roller?

 

HF also sells this 440# hoist for $99; with a 20% discount, 79.20......

http://www.harborfreight.com/110-volt-440-lb-capacity-electric-hoist-with-remote-control-40765.html

It has a nice FWD/REV control on a cord. They work fine and the rpms should be about right, although a chain reduction could be added too.
They shouldn't be too hard to modify, although everything is metric.

I've used them to make lifts attached to the ceiling in my shop. One to store the JD snowblower attachment during the summer months and the mower attachment in the winter months. Another one is used for a "basket" lift to store garden hoses, gas cans, weed-eater, leaf-blower.

Used another winch to make a sliding lift to bring "stuff" up from the basement for annual garage sale. (you'd think we'd run out of things to sell)

 

I used the 12v HF winch motor. The hand control converts easily to a foot control. If you use a 15 tooth sprocket on the winch and a 48 tooth on the shaft it gives you 6-7 rpm which is just right for me. Sprockets and chain available from Surplus Center https://www.surpluscenter.com/powerTrans.asp?catname=powerTrans








I power it with a jump start pack http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-jump-start-and-power-supply-38391.html - also from them.

 

awesome tool. Looks so vintage!!!

 

Hey Jim, That MG is sure bad ass!

 

Thanks

 

Just got my HF roller today look forward to using and improving it, any others have moter driven ideas for me? I like the winch one seems strong enuf