I'm a member of another forum called 'MetalMeet". The latest way of powering a bead roller over there is using one of Harbor Freight's pipe threaders for power. Think it even comes with the foot switch already. Are you using a ready made roller or are you making one from scratch? The ready made ones using a flat plate for the frame. have to be reinforced, especially when powering them. Or they 'skew' sideways and the rollers are no longer inline, they actually twist the frame.

 

This on is from scratch from a set of plans I got off the net. It is built he** for stout. 2x4x1/4" tube. I have it over 90% done and I bet this thing weighs close to 200 lbs.

 

Are they the plans from a guy in Florida, think his name was Tom something.

 

Yea.

 

If your into metal shaping you really should check out MetalMeet.com A lot of great information and helpful people there.

 

I'm really not into that side of metal fabrication. I am building this bead roller to make bodies for dirt circle track race cars. I have built Frank Tackacs tubing bender and Macs Design 8 foot sheet metal brake. I've also built a tire prep machine. I am also working on a 2x72 belt sander based around the Mobi-dick design.