Fabrication question

When fabricating something like a recessed firewall where you would roll beads. I would assume that you would roll the beads first, but I could be wrong. So I'm looking for some input from the many fabricator here.

Should I roll the beads then bend up the sides or should I bend up all but 1 side (for bead roller access) then roll the beads, then make the last fold?

 

I'd roll my beads first, because most brakes can be opened up more than rollers. If you're not using a brake that was the removable plates, then I'd make sure to try it on scrap first. When I'm in doubt I try stuff first on junk. Old door skins are your friend.
good luck!

 

What is often done with firewall 'bead rolling' is to use a router to cut the pattern in wood to create a kind of 'hammerform' to copy the factories imprints. You'd then use hammer and forming tools to create the raised ridges and mounting pads for devices. If you aren't trying to copy the factory look a bead roller can get close, if you have a lathe you might want to make your own roller dies because the commercial dies a bit small and the proportions won't look right. I'd do the 'beads' first because the panel will be stressed and out of shape after forming and you'd best spend time with it stretchiing it back into shape before putting it in a break. the only break-work i see is the offset into the cab at about 1/3 of the way down. The perimiter bends will be hand formed using a tipping wheel on the bead roller and a hammer with firewall on the bench. No matter how you do it, have enough material to make two of them, i suspect you won't be satisfied with the first and it'll show you how to make the second one. Later oj

 

cool guy's I figured that was the order, but it never hurts to ask someone with experience.