Bead Rollers

I've seen a few posts here about HF bead rollers and how to strengthen them up because they flex. Are the plates too thin?
I have a roller from Woodward fab that cost less then the HF roller, is the same design but seems to be better built, has grease fittings on the blocks and works well, the plates are ½ inch and don’t flex Granted you’ll still have to make a stand.

Here's a great tech on a HF roller
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137858

Check out the two rollers.
http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=METAL+FABRICATION+KIT+&Submit=Go

http://www.woodward-fab.com/woodward_fab_bead_rollers.htm

 

I dont know...is this thread asking something? Or telling us something?

 

My HF one is fine, sturdied it up w/ 2x2. Seems to work OK except for user error.

 

Eastwood also sells one in the same price range, though they only RATE theirs for 20g on mild steel and I'm using 18g for my floors, so I'm a bit leary of buying it...

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=11108&itemType=PRODUCT

Anyone know if this thing will work on 18g?

 

Any beadroller made like that will flex.. Tighten your dies together and look from the crank end towards the die end and roll it over you will see it flex from side to side. Pat

 

the HF rollers are made from 3/8 inch plate

 

Hey,

It's doubtful that one will handle anything over the rated 20 gauge
rating, given the size material it's made from. If it does so, it's a
question of how long before it won't!
I've seen some masterful "hot rodding" done to make a bead roller
from the Chi-Com. built ones, but unless you can turn your own
dies, you're limited by what's available, the dia. of the roller shafts,
and the set screws that hold the dies to their shafts. Always keep
in mind, these are all made from s**** steel, from what use to be
Subaru, Datsun and maybe an old Norge washer or two.

S****ey Devils C.C.

"Meanwhile, back aboard The Tainted Pork"

 

All I know is, whatever bead roller Kiwi Kev has WORKS!

 

i got a h.f. one we did my buddys floors in my his 50 chevy with it. it flexed and came out decent but for the price who can complain. you get what you pay for.

 

my hf was a piece of junk till i made a backer out of 2" tw square tubing, now it is as good as the hi dollar ones, at a fraction of the cost.