Bead Former For Tubing.....

[BeArDy]

I make high pressure tubing for cars and i need a way of putting a bead on the tube.
I have found the following but before i go and buy one i just wanted to know weather anyone had any or knows or any other options out there

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

Cheers

 

[bigbadbugga]

Frost auto restorers sell bead formers, not sure how they compare to the one you are thinking about.


http://www.frost.co.uk/

 

[fingers99]

It's the same tool.

They look like close relatives of bead rollers and swages (but more expensive, although smaller) and are probably not beyond the wit of man to make your own.

 

[Shox Dr]

It's the same tool.

They look like close relatives of bead rollers and swages (but more expensive, although smaller) and are probably not beyond the wit of man to make your own.

I came to the same conclusion, while looking at those the other day, they are ridiculously expensive for what they do, they get away with it because it's a 'specialist' tool, as it only does one job, a bit like a 12mm spanner but 50x the cost.

 

[MrFluffy]

If your just doing a few, you can get away with welding a blob into one jaw of a set of mole grips and grinding it semi circular, and grinding in a matching semi circle into the other side, and just working it round the tube.
Another horrid emergency dodge is to run a bead round the tube to form a bead.
Ive been meaning to make a beading tool for IC pipework for ages now, keep getting sidetracked...

 

[Shox Dr]

You can never have too many tools, and this is one bit of kit I have wanted but could not justify, However having a look around tonight I found this


Now I reckon you could modify a pipe cutter/ G Clamp with a bit of thought

 

[gaz_moose]

i just made on that fitted into the lathe and the tool post

 

[Shox Dr]

Some interesting stuff here


And the UK manufacturers here

 

[hotrodder]

Those Parker tube beading tools are very similar to a pipe cutter but the dies are clocked 90* (frame of the pipe cutter would stop it from working). Very nearly sprung for a set of those a while back but in the end i made new dies for a small swage- works down to 1" OD tube. Smaller diameter tube calls for a smaller bead, not got round to sorting that yet (gotta pull my finger out as it's getting very boring doing beads on a lathe) but will start from scratch as the male die will be so small it'll be difficult to make it fit

Can take some pics if anyone wants 'em

 

[Shox Dr]

I was going to say they were 90* to a cutter, but thought people would figure that one. I found a better picture, if anyone is interested.

Hotrodder I'd like to see your setup

 

[hotrodder]

I spent a good ten minutes staring at an old record pipecutter before it dawned on me

Will take some pics tomorrow, there's already a pic that shows the results somewhere (welding 6063 tube thread?) but as it happens i've got more charge cooler pipework waiting to be welded up and beaded

 

[Shox Dr]

it happens to the best of us mate. Besides you don't strike me as one to let much get past you

 

[Tigman]

We used to bead copper tube with a Kingley tool, for use with Kingley fittings the bead is used as an olive is used in a compression fitting, Ive got the old tools somewhere in the workshop !

 

[hotrodder]

Not much to look at but it does the job...



I did start to make a proper fence/backstop for it but the random holesaw slugs used to test it do the job so they're still in use.



Dies look rougher than they are (mixture of dust and oil) in the above pic. Larger die... transition from the female section to flat could do with having the radiused increased. Produces very clean beads as it is but it's possible to mar the tube when in a hurry.

i just made on that fitted into the lathe and the tool post

We used to bead copper tube with a Kingley tool, for use with Kingley fittings the bead is used as an olive is used in a compression fitting, Ive got the old tools somewhere in the workshop !

Any chance of more info/pics?

 

[lchris21]

Check out this:

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=98934&page=1

 

[wyn]

I like the drive arrangement on the top die...hotrodder...nice and simple, no broaching of keyways.

Does it match up with a round pin pushed into the shaft ?

 

[Shox Dr]

Nice little gismo. Hotrodder.

 

[hotrodder]

Yep, the shafts were already doweled for die location- from the dies that it was found with i think it was origonally used for embosing leather.

 

[Shox Dr]

I think it was origonally used for embosing leather.

That's where I've seen it

Just need to wait until August to see someone

 

[hotrodder]

Note to self: be wary of any northerners i meet around August time