Bead Roller

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brian6pac

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I dug out my old bead roller and made a mount to mount it on a engine stand, It's a old nascar unit my friend got back in the mid 80's and I got it from him in 1990. I think it has been hanging on the wall for about 10 years, I think it's time to put it to use. I put a variac on it the last time I used it because the variable speed foot pedal broke.

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Ours is a mittler bros, it's the super deep throat. I dont think they even sell anymore.

I did add a reostat inline to the foot pedal so "wide open" only as fast as I want. I also added a switch to reverse polarity so I can back it up easy.

Then I took and mounted a bad *** light on top of the arm.

Lastly i built a removable "table" off the side that can be switched side to side for rolling large panels or soft copper.
 
My carbon pile was broken and I tried to replace it but couldn't find one, now I know it's a singer sewing machine pedal and motor. It already had a switch to change directions, and it has a 36" throat so I can get to the middle of most panels and I have a bunch of different rollers, some I made.
 
I like the engine turning, nice job. Someone has a lot of time on there hands, drinking beer takes up a lot of my time, lol
 
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My first engin turning test.

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Now I just lay out one line and space the rest off the first line. But I dont want anyone talking to me or bothering me while i do it!

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That's a quality piece. Vic made nice fab tools. He's Ernie's dad in case you aren't familiar. I think his son in law still runs the business.
 
Thank you. That was one of my very early tries at the roller. I reproduced the original pattern in aluminum. (Notice no beard, still young and dumb)

Then I realised if I want a flowing theme in the car, that wont work.

Now I have a simple panel and it's about to hit the scrap bin as I no longer have window cranks and am going to a different interior door handle so I dont have that horrible hinge showing.

So I'll be on generation 3 door panels soon.

Maybe before I throw these ones in the bin I'll post em for local pick up.
 
Still cold enough for whiskey in the evening down this way, beer has to wait until about May...
 
Just a matter of preference, I don’t even drink anymore anyway (out of my budget). Now it’s just coffee, BC Powders, and Celebrex to carry me through.
 
BC powders. You must be out side the US?

That will fix a headache tho!

Dont know why we dont have that here?
 
No, still have it down here in Virginia. Probably available because I live in outer ground zero of the start hillbilly ****** crisis...
 
If you wanna cut weight and still have a somewhat civilized car. The beadroller is the best tool.

I bet the entire "interior" of my car weighs as much as an empty case of beer.

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That’s an awesome looking interior! I was in sheet metal fabrication in highschool votech so I really appreciate the craftsmanship involved in that.
 
I really like the jeweled/engine turned finish, too. What exactly are you doing that on and with?
 
Pattern making is what makes or breaks it.

We make at least 2 patterns for each panel.
First is a rough panel, that one is cut small. Then we fill in that with firing strips to fit just right.

That gets traced on one sheet of 60 weight paper and rechecked for exact fit.

If it's dead nuts we transfer it to aluminum. Then draw the design, cut it out and roll.

We also use "lay out" sticks to make sure all our lines are exact.

We have a lot of aluminum cut in 4" lengths at different width that we use for laying out designs.

If I can be any help don't hesitate to ask.

I'm sure I can talk you through it. Feel free to PM me and I'll give you my number.

While I'm not the best at it, I dont think I suck either.

:)
 
Brian, that looks like a beefy bead roller.
I added 1/2” flat plate to mine and it still flexes.

Cope, that is some impressive work. I like it all!

I have watched a few videos,some of the work is unbelieveable!
Lazze on youtube, does sone cool stuff.
So many possibilities for dies as well.
I wish i could find the time to at least give it a try. One day. Or three.
 
Engine turning is done on our big drill press.

There is some debate on what looks best.

I like to use the green scotch bright pads on a flat disk. Others like a wire wheel or sand paper.

The trick is to start in one corner and work across. Then start the next row half way up the first row but off set by half a disk. After a few tries you know exactly where to put the disk. Just don't stop or get distracted cuz then you will **** up and throw that panel in the trash.

:)
 
Cope, a few photos of your process would really be awesome.
 
I guess for engine turning a fence on drill press would be really handy. I built a fence for my press, i use it all the time for repeatable drilling.
 
Brian, that looks like a beefy bead roller.
I added 1/2” flat plate to mine and it still flexes.

Cope, that is some impressive work. I like it all!

I have watched a few videos,some of the work is unbelieveable!
Lazze on youtube, does sone cool stuff.
So many possibilities for dies as well.
I wish i could find the time to at least give it a try. One day. Or three.

I also got a poly wheel for it and then I was able to cross over lines without smashing the other lines.
 
No fence, just line up the pad and run.

None of this uses a fence.

In all honesty I dont like your roller design.



It needs shelfs on both sides to hold the work flat relative to the roler, and I would shorten the lower stand so its easier to walk around.
 
Sorry I'm talking to my women who is stuck in an airport in Phoenix.

I'll take a pic of our set up tomorrow and you will see how your set you will only make things harder on you.

Trust me. You want a table unless your rolling wheel tubs and even those I do on the English wheel.
 
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