I am in the market for a bead roller for the shop. I have had some experience on a mittler bros, but have heard some negative feedback. I know i want a 36" and electric driven for sure, just wondering whats the best brand to look into? I wont do anything heavier than 18 ga for the most part.
Have used Fournier and Mittler's..baileigh?? < Cant remeber how they spell it, old Monarchs & Cinncinati Why buy what you can make? exspecially if your using less than 18. Honestly all you need is access to a lathe, they rest is parts off the shelf and some welding.
Years ago I bought one from Mittler Bros, because that was what we had at the Shop I worked at before ( and I liked it ) Something was wrong with the one I got, and It took some messing around to find out what that was. ( a bolt wasn't Locktite'd down the way it was supposed to, if I remember right ) And by the time I had found that, I had burned out the Electric Motor, because of the Extra Drag that bolt had created. Mittler Bros shipped me all the parts I needed to repair my Beadroller ( no cost to me, or hassle, or trying to be difficult with excuses ), and I sent them the broken parts back. ( Shit happens from time to time. The difference is how it gets handeled, if something does happen to go wrong...) They also helped me out with a precission ground Bar they had Drop Shipped to me when I needed it in a hurry to Narrow a Morris Minor Rear Axle ( different dia than the one they normally sell for 9" Ford rears, etc...) Dealing with these guys has been a very positive experience for me.... I'll buy from them again.
Have different dies and material types for different applications.. Stainless 410 Aluminum 7070-T750 High Carbon tool steel- tempered to rockwell 58 **the hard shit**
Mittler bros for sure, I've been dealing with them for a long time, quality product, and GREAT customer service. Never had any issues with them ever!
I really like the one I bought from Mittler, I got the power drive unit, sure works slick. Don't bother with the louver dies unless you are building something wierd where you needed a four foot long louver in really thin material.
I built the kit from Pro Tools. I like it. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236592&highlight=smokin
They don't have to be hardened, as long as you don't drop or misuse them. If you get a nick in one, clean it up on a lathe. You'll have some profiles that you'll use all of the time, having them hardened might not be a bad thing; you decide.
They make O1 oil hardened tool steel in big enough diameters. Anneal it, and you can turn it in your lathe easily. Harden it, and it'll be Rockwell C 58. Temper it, and it won't shatter. Not the cheapest stuff, but ideal for this.
HI This on I built and you can see a video of it on youtube. http://youtube.com/watch?v=BOMtDGyf1cU http://youtube.com/watch?v=FuILLaFSLNI have fun Tom
Funny you should ask. We just came out with one. Sounds like it would be a perfect fit. Check it out in the For Sale section. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=351438 We also have a new foot operated 6" deep throat shrinker / stretcher as well. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=351435 Maybe a new contest idea huh?
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