more bead roller questions...

I need new floor pans for the '49 and my other projects and I see that the Harbor Freight unit is on sale again. I've read up on them on a few different boards and they sound like they work okay for occasional use with a few modifications. I have a few questions...
When you roll beads into a panel do the outside dimensions of the panel change (for example if I have a panel 12" wide and roll a 1/4" bead into it will it now measure 11 3/4"???) What diameter wheel seems to work best instead of using the crank??
The ad says it has an 18 gauge capacity, is 18 gauge sufficient for floors if it has strengthening beads rolled into it??
Anybody want to buy me one for Christmas?!

 

The bead is stretched into the metal, so there is little or no change in the size of the panel. I use 18ga for floors all the time.(easier than 16 ga, to cut, bend, and bead) On large areas I'll brace with square tube or hat channel as needed.

 

[ QUOTE ]
The ad says it has an 18 gauge capacity

[/ QUOTE ]
Unless it's the Harbor Freight clone of a Pexto,they are very optimistic on the capacity ratings.
95% of people end up reinforcing the frame.Pics available in a post here last week.

 

I've owned a HF bead roller for about 4 years now.
I've beaded and stepped quite a bit of .050 aluminum with it and also did some 18 gauge cold roll steel sheet metal .
It seems to work very well for me and the cost was reasonable.
If I remember correctly it cost $135.

 

My buddy has a HF beadroller. It seems to work pretty good, but he told me that the head flexes a little bit when you get a little heavy with the gauge. Later plmczy

 

for $89 bucks on sale you can't bitch....works as good as eastmans $300 one

 

I have used the shit out of mine. I like the dies that make a raised inner panel section, those look really cool. I would reinforce their frame though it will flex a little when doing heavy stuff and cornering.

I mount mine in the vise and then use a fence on the other end of the table and its impossible to make a crooked line.

 

holy SHIT Glen, thats a HELLA-TUB, sheesh, I cant imagine the C in that frame!! Nice work, looks awesome!