Bead roller dies

[droopsnoot]

You can buy blank dies, just a bit of round with the key way cut.
Mount it on the machine, set it running at full speed and shape out whatever you want with a flap disc/sander/file/polish

I have seen blanks available from one supplier, but I think they're the wrong size. My bead roller is hand-cranked, so "full speed" isn't really all that quick, and I can't hold a file while I'm cranking it.

 

[sasquar]

Ive made a few extra dies for my bead roller, the most of of them are a missmatched set (size wise) for beading the inside of water pipes (also used generally for intercooler pipes), and a tipping wheel. I personally cant see the requirement to harden them at all, your only pushing thin bits of soft metal around with them, well, on mine you are anyway..... i guess if youve got a really rigid machine which allows you to do miles of thicker stainless or something it might be worthwhile......

Im not saying im right by any stretch of the imagination, but it IS what ive done!!

 

[droopsnoot]

No, that sounds like there's a consensus now that hardening isn't required. It's a fairly basic bead roller, and I haven't got around to adding any strengthening yet - I did a bead in some 18swg yesterday and I could see it flexing.

 

[optima21]

yeah I made some dies out of en3 steel which is soft steel, dont think it'll give me any issues for occasional home use

 

[sasquar]

No, that sounds like there's a consensus now that hardening isn't required. It's a fairly basic bead roller, and I haven't got around to adding any strengthening yet - I did a bead in some 18swg yesterday and I could see it flexing.

mine is a basic one, or more accurately 'was' (i have a tendency to get a tad carried away) the strengthening is well advised, and theres load of bits about it online. The other thing i added which i would recommend as being worthwhile (possibly, depends on what you use it for) is a brace that joins the outer bearings together (i used a 6" length of angle iron) so you can use it with more pressure when you dont require the depth (i seem to do a lot of intercooler type pipes)... ill take some pics tomorrow (its at work otherwise id do it now) to show what im waffling about......

I also powered mine, which i highly recommend, but its massively overkill in real terms!! did i mention i get carried away....

 

[metalmelt]

No, that sounds like there's a consensus now that hardening isn't required. It's a fairly basic bead roller, and I haven't got around to adding any strengthening yet - I did a bead in some 18swg yesterday and I could see it flexing.

Hardening is not necessary but if you get the blanks and machine them yourself you have options!!!!

1) Get blanks made from quality steel, they are harder and will require more machining and will be slower to machine.
2) You can use plain steel and machine the blanks, you can then case harden them using a specific case hrdening compound.
3) You can get specific hardening steel blanks, machine them and simply heat treat them.

 

[droopsnoot]

I did look at altering it to be powered, using an electric drill, and that might be an option for the future but I'd really need to have a space for it to be set up all the time if I did that.

 

[Iain Steele]

I have seen on Youtube a bloke using skateboard wheels

 

[stuvy]

I have seen on Youtube a bloke using skateboard wheels

my mate did the same with his

 

[tommy dunlop]

I gave up watching because of his constant sniffing.

That done my head in aswell lol

 

[tommy dunlop]

Seems like a lot of the latest dies are made from nylon,I guess just for ally tho