Technical Any recommendations on a tubing bead roller?

I’m looking at buying an inside bead roller for tubing approx. 3/4” and up to 2”.

I see a few that are sold by Jegs etc and they all look to be the same mfg. Reviews are so so. It won’t get used very often, but so would like to roll approx. .065” Aluminum or stainless.

Looking for something somewhat heavy duty.

 

I made mine from a video on youtube. made from modified wire crimpers. look up tubing bead rollers a couple of how to videos should come up.

 

I bought the Aeroflow tube bead tool in two sizes. ****ped out after two uses.

Got a crowbar out and prised my wallet open, and bought a set from Graham Tool (US made, similar to the old Parker WW2-era ones). They make beautiful beads.


Cheers,
Harv

 

I don't think is going to be bending 3/4" - 2" tubing by hand. Thinks he's looking for a wheeled tubing bender.

 

I think he’s looking to make a bead on the end of tubing. I/e to help secure the tubing for a hose where a clamp is put.

 

I’d thought if you had a bead roller, you could do the same thing with a set of dies made to fit in the small diameter tube, they should still make a bead in larger diameter tube, right?

Or maybe you can’t insert the tube far enough?

 

OK. I just made my own. Cut some rollers out on the lathe and made an adjustable holder. Based on the time spent, if this one ever wears out I would just buy one.

 

I don't know if this will help, but I made dies for my bead roller to do this job. Perhaps It may inspire some reader to try it.

 

I made one a couple of months ago for a radiator hose connection. Used an old pair of vise grips. Couple times around and it gives a nice bead. Cost... about 15 minutes!

 

Correct.

 

I wanted one that would go down to 5/8". That eliminated using my bead roller. I made one out of a pipe tubing cutter. I found out that I needed both the inside and outside rollers to turn to do a good job. I haven't re-engineered it yet. It's on the to do list when I get down with the current project.

 

One I made a while ago cause I couldn't find one to buy.

 

wow... I never knew I needed one of those.

 

They are cool to have around if you like solid tubing. I like things sanitary and hate seeing rubber hoses, but they are somewhat of a necessity.

 

That is really neat. It would definitely make using 2 hose clamps on the emt conduit we use on our race car

 

Thanks! It's not much to look at, but it does the job. Crude but effective! I couldn't do 3/4" but it would do anything bigger. Gives your grip a good work out.

 

This one only goes down to 7/8 -.75/22 MM but the reviews are good. Amazon.com: Furick K2 Manual Tubing Bead Roller : Automotive Three times the price of the one that Jegs sells though.

The one like Jegs sells didn't get very good reviews except by folks who used it on very light tubing Amazon.com: Hiwowsport Tube Pipe Tubing Beader Tool Bead Roller Intake and Intercooler Piping Fits 5/8" : Automotive

The Jegs unit Amazon.com: JEGS Tubing Beader | Fits 5/8 Inch and Larger Tubing | Beads Tubing Up To 0.050” Wall Thickness | Vise Mount Design | For Copper or Aluminum Tubing : Automotive

There is also a Vibrant brand that has better reviews that may be the one that the others are knock offs from. Amazon.com: Vibrant Performance 2990 Manual Bead Roller (minimum tube diameter to be used is 3/4" OD) : Automotive


On 3/8 and smaller tubing I just use the first die on my double flare tool and don't squeeze it down all that tight.

 

I have been looking at the Furick K2.

I can do Metric bubble flares with my hydraulic tool up to 1/2".

That would leave out 5/8 - 3/4".

I like to work with stainless at times. Not too sure that a cheap bead tool is going to be a good choice.

 

Outside of fighting with bends for larger tubing I'd think that a set of dies for a regular bead roller and maybe fabbing a clamp on stop plate to but the end of the tube up against would work.
The Furnic K-2 is interesting but that is getting into the price range where a tool has to have enough work to pay for it's self and is beyond the occasional use level.

 

I have the best recommendation. Find a pal that has one and buy him a pizza for letting you use it...


I only offered that cuz it worked for me.

 

That's my plan for Root when he gets one.

 

That's a big If partner....... It's looking like I need to befriend a tuner kid that is building a turbo car.

 

And if he chooses the $pendy one, bring some beer too!

 

Here is the one I made to use on some aluminum 1 3/4" tubing for radiator plumbing. My brother uses it on turbo plumbing. It has a tab to clamp into a vice.

 

http://www.performance-world.com/Bead-Roller-p/782000.htm

 

There are several home built ones on YouTube. I thought about building one, but for the few times I’d use it decided it wasn’t worth it.

 

I have one like this for larger tubing. I have a friend that has a very nice set for smaller stuff but it's not very handy to run down to his shop to use it when needed.

Gary

 

The Eastwood double flare tool can do up to 3/8” on fuel lines. It the water ones I need to do and the vice grip homade one will do it.

 

I’ve usually had access to a bead roller with a set of dies to do this…but have never been able to get a good bead in stainless tubing. For stainless, I usually take a small strip of extra material and weld it around the outside of the end of the tubing, then chamfer the hard edges. Always worked really well.

 

I've made these "caps" for 3/8 and 5/16" tubing and use my flaring tool to do mine. They have a shallow, flat bottom hole with a chamfer that the tube goes into and a fairly deep countersink on the other side. Clamp it up with about a 1/16" gap under the cap and crank it down. If everything is square, it comes out pretty good. I didn't do it on this sample, but I buff the clamp area with a wire wheel and it looks pretty good and works.

Gary