NEW BEAD ROLLER I ORDERED

[donsrods]

Does anyone have any experience with the motorized bead roller sold by Pro Tools ? (www.pro-tools.com) They are in Tampa, Fla. I just ordered one today, because we figure it will be great for adding strength to panels, and also to add detail to interior panels, etc.

We have bought a couple of items from them (tubing notcher and tubing bender) and the stuff has been first rate, and this piece looks good in the video and literature.

We didn't know what size rollers to buy, so we got the 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, and 1/2 inch sizes. The guy on the phone said these are the most common for street rod fabrication, from what he has seen.

We have never used one, so if anyone has any experience with this particular unit, or a bead roller in general, we would appreciate any tips.

Thanks, Don

[enjenjo]

Hopefully it runs slow enough, if it's too fast, it's hard to control the metal.  And if it diesn't have one, get a momentary foot switch.

There are several other dies that you may want later, but get used to it first. You can make radius corners, raised panels, or tip an edge with some of the other dies.

If they will fit, the Harbor Freight dies are not that bad, and the price is killer.

[donsrods]

Thanks engenjo. It has a variable speed foot pedal with it, and they are running a special on dies, 1/2 off if you buy the unit ( were $ 50 set, now $25)

We understand that on these bead rollers you make one light pass, then progressively increase the pressure in sucessive passes, until you get the desired depth and shape. Is that right? and do we do anything like spray the metal with wd 40 or anything to aid the process, or do you do it dry?

Thanks again. Don

[enjenjo]

The number of passes depends on the thickness, size of the bead, and type of metal. Do a test on a peice of scrap first. The more times you go over the same bead, the more chance there is for a mistake.

[unklian]

If you are running beads in the center of a panel,
some guys will stretch the center slightly on their
planishing hammer first.This way,it doesn't distort
the panel so much when you put the beads in.

Otherwise,the beads try to make the panel narrower,
but the ends are still the same width,which creates distortion.

After you've tried a couple,it will make more sense.