Re: bead roller

Posted by Martin's Auto Body Resto On 2011/5/27 18:52:43

That picture is a woodward fab. or HF bead roller. These work so-so as is, but with a little modification can be much better. The first thing is that there is to much flex in the plate steel under pressure. I welded square tubbing to mine to stiffen it up and works much better. I also made a tipping wheel for mine and as Ross said get rid of the crank handle and put a steering wheel on it. I used a steering wheel of of an old cub cadet and works well. The problem with the crank is, that if you end your bead, flange or whatever with the crank handle in the upright possition, the weight of it wants to bring it down to the 6 o'clock position with gravity, and makes it hard to control with only one person on some parts your trying to make. All in all, this tool is a must have in my shop.