it seems all the bead rollers i've found online are made for a max of 18 gauge.

i need to roll 16.

can someone point me in the right direction...
seems the longer the depth of it, the thinnner the metal.
i need to do IC piping.


Modified by jbell at 5:58 PM 11/13/2008

 

the deeper throat ones can be made to work by putting a strap out near the end to keep the throat from spreading when doing the thicker material. Make sure your wheel diameter is smaller then your ducting though.

How is the project coming?

 

there are a few threads on here about home made ones that are pretty good.

 

That's what I think I'll be doing. Harbor freight, and some reinforcing.

As for the project...
slow.

i had to redesign the entire drive system, running it off the pulley i originally expected won't work.
now, the new drive requires a cnc'ed pulley.... PITA, but whatever.

 

have seen this before?


Bead Form II H.D. - $469.00

3/4" - 4" OD Tubing.
Meets Milspec and SAE AS5131 specs for 1-1/2" OD and larger.
Produces a bead approximately .080 tall x .270 wide.
Replaceable brushings for the pivot pin.
4140 heat treated upper shaft.
Recommended for use up to .065 wall tubing.

http://www.beadform.com/product.html

 

this is what we use, one of the manual ones that is. we have an electric one of a different brand, but shoved it off in the corner. not too in to using an electric bead roller. works well. for 16 gauge stuff, we usually just weld a bead around it instead of bead roll it.

 

This is what I have: http://cgi.ebay.com/Sheet-Metal-Fabr...QQcmdZViewItem .... except I modified mine with another square piece of 1/2 inch plate welded towards the bead mandrel. I also deleted the handle by welding a piece to compensate for a 1/2 inch drive ratchet instead of that stock handle. Works great for me.....

 

If your going to use the HF model, weld a plate to reinforce and stop spreading. Make some kind of backing plate for the tubing to butt against so you can roll a straight bead and take the inside die to a machine shop and just tell them to square it off. You'll still have nice half round beads, and you'll be rolling 16ga. SS no problem.

 

I've had the Bead Form for 6 years and it works great.