I have done a lot of bead rollin in my time, and have a few tips and tricks that simplify the process explained here; http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=248326 Kiwi Kev does some great stuff, not tryin to steal his thunder by any means!! I just have a better way. Layout is by far in a way the longest and most frustrating part of step rolling, especially mirror designs like door panels. I have found the trick to speeding this up. Lets start with the design you want to copy,, I'll do something quick and easy, flames. I like to draw the design on the aluminum, it erases with a pass of the thumb,, which then gets tranfered to your nose, forehead, ears etc. Here's the key ingredient to this mix,, white transfer paper, paper on one side,, adhesive on the other. You can get it from vinyl graphics shops. Lay down a layer of transfer tape over your design, the design shows through just like tracing paper. Trace over your design, and peel off the paper. Turn the aluminum over and stick on the backside. because its already cut to size all you have to do is line up the edges and is located and centered Load it up and roll the first side. note the direction of the step!! After you have finished with the first side, turn the rollers around,, face the step the other way. This is what you end up with, The steps done from the backside are going to be one step roll width wider than the ones done from the top,, but on opposite sides of the car noone will see it. I save the transfers for future reference, just stick them to the wall Hope this helps
I don't know about the gay thing,, Todds runnin round here somewhere!! Sorry Todd I tried to resist but I'm weak in that department.
Cool deal with the transfer paper. I gotta get some of that. Will the steel dies cut it when you roll over it?
Wow. How well does the delrin hold up compared to the normal dies? And how bout a pic of the finished skull?
Tinman, I'm thinking, quick and easy to machine, less tool marks on the panel? Tough stuff, I use it for suspension bushings, among other things. Craig
Ive used those dies for over a year with no problems,, they can be shaved a couple times to restore the edge but those are still in good shape. These skulls??? How bout a rose??
Damn dude! I consider myself an experienced bead roller, and that rose is some of the best work I've ever seen! What dies are you using for the web?
Thats done with a tipping die on top, blank roll wrapped with electrical tape on the bottom. The tape allows the metal to sink in, 6-7 wraps is enough. It will warp the hell out of things though!!
Hey fellers, Love this thread-I've learned a lot from it! Could you use pounce patterns with chalk? It'd be a bit messy,but the chalk wipes off all the same? You'd have the same pattern to reuse and it could be reversed. Just a thought.... Nice work and great ideas!
I tried that once, ran a tailors pinwheel around the pattern and tried to peel it off, it tore along the perferations like when you take a check out of the book. Thanks for all the compliments,, they mean a lot to me!! (Thats how I keep my ego big and strong,, I feed it often!!)
Thats why you are the "man" Jay. Awesome. I was telling some people about your work yesterday. Very kool.
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