Hot Rods Bead rollers

Hello gang,
Thinking about bead rollers & have a few questions;

1. Speed of roller?
2. Horsepower of electric motor?
3. Diameter of rollers?
4. Anyone have plans or other ideas to get dimensions for building a bead roller?
5. Any other information I might need?

Thank you always for your help.

Merry Christmas.

 

1. 6 to 10 RPM.
2. Depends on AC or DC. DC will get you variable speed capabilities. Torque is more important than just HP. A 10 RPM DC fractional HP motor of about 1/20 HP with about 200 in/lb. of torque will work. On my big roller I have an AC 1/6 HP. 6 RPM, 600 in/lb motor and it's overkill.
3. Better off to base your design to use readily available rollers. They are time consuming to make.
4. The design is based on how hard you will work the roller. Bunch of pictures on line.
5. You may be better off to start with one of the basic off shore rollers that you can get from a dozen places and upgrade to your liking.

 

That's what I did, started with a hf special and added heavy wall tube reinforcements, added a lower bolt under the lower block that I can snug up against the block to keep it from flexing down, a degree'd wheel to the top so I can repeat the bead in different panels, i also welded a paddle on the upper block bolt so I can tighten and loosen with my hand.

Lastly I built the stand so that I can grab just the bead roller and lift it off the stand/post and walk off with it, easier to load and unload the heavy thing.

 

Thank you very much. Something to work on this winter. I will probably be back to ask more questions. Have a Happy New Year.

 

Great ideas. Thanks. Also thanks for the photos.

 

Buy a Mittler Brothers bead roller. You will be happy you did. I bought a Demo unit. Call now and see if they have any deals.