DIY bead roller for intercooler pipe
 

just thought I would share this. This is an awesome idea for a cheap bead roller....one that I will try.

wow thats awesome...where do you get the roller peices that bolt onto the vise? and do you have anymore info on how to do this?

That roller set looks homemade...wouldn't be hard to do.

I'm not sure how the pictured setup would be used though- all the bead rollers I've seen (admittedly not many) have a crank handle on the inside roller so it can be turned as the tube is rotated and the forms are brought closer together.
Clearly, that's not possible with this setup.

Not a half-bad idea... Would have to make a few sets of rollers though to make it more flexable as far as what pipe diameter you can bead.. With this config it looks like you'd have to press it, release the vise, turn it by hand, then press again untill you work your way all around the circumference

I would use a strap wrench to turn the tubing.
as you tighten the vise.

the mandrels were purchased but i don't remember where.....should not be hard to find.....about 50-60 per set.

what would i search for to find those mandrels?

here: http://www.mittlerbros.com/bead_roller_rolls.htm
http://www.irvansmith.com/scart/bead...ead-p-383.html

here this is the one I would get: http://www.irvansmith.com/scart/bead...ing-p-393.html

For 80 bucks, i got a bead roller from harbor freight. Needs a little modification for it to work properly, but it does a great job on my 2mm thick IC piping.

A little pic I just took. The second pic shows that I had to weld a piece of 3/8" pipe to the back of it to give it some structural support while rolling the IC pipes. Otherwise, the frame twisted, and I couldn't get the pipes to roll.

I'd be interested to know if your DIY roller works. I agree that it may take some extra oomph to get it rolling with a strap wrench though. I have an 18" handle on mine that I have to really crank on to get the bead going.

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[QUOTE=AGreen;9247689]A little pic I just took. The second pic shows that I had to weld a piece of 3/8" pipe to the back of it to give it some structural support while rolling the IC pipes. Otherwise, the frame twisted, and I couldn't get the pipes to roll.

I'd be interested to know if your DIY roller works. I agree that it may take some extra oomph to get it rolling with a strap wrench though. I have an 18" handle on mine that I have to really crank on to get the bead going.



yeah, it won't be ideal trying to turn the pipe with a strap wrench.....I might just break down and buy a cheap bead roller when I get to the intercooler piping.

Looks good :icon_tup:

That's neat. Another option is to just make a weld bead inside the jaws of a set of old Vice Grips. Put a bead on one jaw, and then carve a V in the other jaw. Not as elegant, but cheap and works well.

I don't generally use a bead roller to bead my pipes though. I just run a weld bead on the outside.

I realize a rolled bead is a little more elegant...

But i just weld a bead on the pipe!

For the Vice style bead roller, tack weld some bicycle sprockets to the backs of the mandrels. Then use a bike chain in an "S" pattern through the two sprockets so that they turn in opposite directions.

Motorize that motherfucker with a low speed, high torque motor and a foot pedal control.

Mass produce shit.

???

Profit!

Might not be the best bead, but for a budget I think this takes the cake. Sorry for the big pics, these were stolen from google.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...r/IMG_0990.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...r/IMG_0991.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...r/IMG_0992.jpg
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I can't weld.....and I don't have a welder....but I want one and I want to learn.

if that vise grip setup made the beads shown in the last pic id be shocked...no way they would be that clean and pretty looking???they look as nice as what any high dollar bead roller would do..and i would think the pipe would be to strong to do it with a pair of tiny vise grips no?

Yep. I'm calling bullshit on that one too. That vice-grip thing did NOT make those beautiful beads.

hey i just realized who posted that! whats up HAI-TEK7?? havent seen you around the boards for a while how ya been man? shoot me a pm sometime we gotta meet up soon, hows your car coming along?


Edit: i also just read somewhere else about the vise grip bead roller setup..guys where saying it dosent work on aluminum pipe?? they said only steel? i guess because aluminum reacts differently when trying to "work" with it

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/cust...bead-tool.html


i think it would work if you go little by little. It worth a shot, what you gonna loose $10. i would try it but i dont have any aluminium pipe right now.

Same old here. Car still sitting, gathering dust.

wow thats awesome it looks like it works really well, im shocked! im going to make a pair tomorrow..im usually the type that goes out and buys every correct tool whenever i need it no matter what the cost is, but a bead form tool is something that ill only ever use like 2 or 3 times so its hard to justify spending $300-$400 bucks on a tool ill never use. thanks alot for that post hai you saved me some $$

No problem, take pictures. i just called my buddy to see of he had left over IC piping, he does. So if I meet up with him, im gonna try it too. But, you seem more motivated than me...haha

yeah i actually just had to shorten one of the pipes that came with my greddy intercooler and piping kit so now i have to bead the end i cut so ill be doing this soon..i dont have a welder at home so ill have to bring it to work

This is cool. Planning on rigging up a vise grip for fun.