Finished Modding my Woodward Fab Bead Roller yesterday, typically the 1/2 plate deforms when you try to roll anything heavier than 18 Ga, and its a 2 man operation, with 1 on the crank, and another guiding the steel. Another problem area is the tension adjuster, I had to fumble around with a ratchet or wrench to set it. Not any more. Reinforced the frame with 1/2" x 5" plate and 2 2 x 2 x 1/4" wall box tube arms. Added a wheel to adjust tension, and a Dayton reversable Gearmotor to drive the dies with a Foot switch. I also increased the depth of the throat by ~ 2" for a deeper reach.

Cost breakdown
Bead Roller 120.00
Foot Switch 10.00 (Ebay)
Gearmotor 75.00 (Ebay)
Steel Free scrap I had laying around
Wheel Free (from a Hopper car acess hole, I found it years ago, finally found something to use it on)
Reverse switch Free had in my junkpile

So 205.00 total, and Ive rolled 16 Ga Stainless so far with no deflection.

There is a 12" long 2 x 2 x 1/4" box leg coming off the bottom to mount in a hitch reciever I am going to add to the side of my work bench. All that is left is tearing it apart for Powder Caoting.

Shaft Coupler Detail
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/Tools/DSC00698.jpg

Motor Mounting
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/Tools/DSC00699.jpg

Foot Switch
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/Tools/DSC00701.jpg

Front side
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/Tools/DSC00696.jpg

Back side
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/Tools/DSC00695-1.jpg

End
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/Tools/DSC00697.jpg

16Ga Stainless
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/Tools/DSC00700.jpg

Sweet, sorry if this a dumb question:

The foot switch controls the motor that spins the gears... But what does the large toggle like switch control?

Its a direction switch, the motor I found isreversable, so I figured I can use it do things like flames, or come into a piece from either direction.

Direction.

Thanks

Very nice indeed!!!

JOSH

Sweet :smokin:

good job...is the foot pedal variable speed?

Nice work

good job...is the foot pedal variable speed?

No VFD, I was thinking about adding one, but the gearmotor is just about perfect, it is rated at 9 RPM with no load, and 3 at full load. It is actuially a pretty nice speed, and for now I'm going to leave it be.

I did take it all apart today, so I can sandblast it and get it ready for powder. I am going to add a box tube base to my HF sheet metal brake, and my Vise, so nothing clutters up the top of my work bench when not being used. I think I'm going to build a cart to hold all 3 (Vise/Bead Roller/Brake) that I can roll out of my way when working. Mainly because the F-in bead Roller weighs ~80 Lbs:shaking: I figure I cn put die holders on the legs of the cart as well, to keep everything in one place.

Before power coating we need to build a second one for my garage. Looks good.

Before power coating we need to build a second one for my garage. Looks good.


Recognize the wheel?:smokin:

Murfman, you are one badass mofo!

I gave up and said screw it on the powder coating, bought a 8 dollar can of Rustoleum "Hammer Tone"

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/Tools/DSC00939.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/Tools/DSC00938.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/Tools/DSC00937.jpg

All that is left is picking up a 2" reciever from the trailer hitch shop and welding it to the side of my workbench.