Bead Roller Selection

[rcmbronc]

Looking to build some interior panels for my Bronco and other projects. Looking for any advice on a bead roller to get. Can be manual but I may go with electric motor. Anyone got any help?

 

[BanditBronco]

I just bought a summit one not that long ago. I have seen your stuff, my vote would be to just bite the bullet and buy the nice Mittler Bro's unit. Here is a photo of my first beads I did on some 22 gauge steel. My summit roller deflected on this stuff. If you have done any research on bead rollers at all yet you know the cheap ones twist and guys do all kinds of stuff to them to stiffen them up. Well its true they need it.

 

[Yeller]

I have this one from Baileigh and really like it

https://www.baileigh.com/bead-roller-br-18e-36

 

[rcmbronc]

May also need a pan and box break.

 

[Yeller]

I've been very happy with this Shop Fox model, been using it for years
https://www.woodstockint.com/products/M1043

 

[Rustytruck]

May also need a pan and box break.

Check out Swag for a break on a harbor freight 20 ton press.

 

[BanditBronco]

Check out Swag for a break on a harbor freight 20 ton press.

I have the swag finger break and wouldn't buy it do to sheet metal work. It is great for little tabs and such but you are really limited on width and can't get a tight radius bend without stacking angle in the bottom. A box/pan break is so much quicker and more user friendly.

The top to side bend of the shifter box was done using the swag break without any added angle iron in the bottom die. Kinda hard to tell but there is at least a 1/2" radius in it.

 

[Bronco 4 life]

I was cheap and bought a harbor junk bead roller but I already had in mind I was going to do a bunch of stuff to it and I’ll say it works fairly good and I am happy with it.. the reason I went this route was you get a nice selection of dies to start with at the time all the high dollar rollers I was seeing only came with one or two this is some of the stuff I did to it and made with it

 

[sprdv1]

I've been very happy with this Shop Fox model, been using it for years
https://www.woodstockint.com/products/M1043

one day maybe have time to get to your level of expertise

 

[Rustytruck]

I have the swag finger break and wouldn't buy it do to sheet metal work. It is great for little tabs and such but you are really limited on width and can't get a tight radius bend without stacking angle in the bottom. A box/pan break is so much quicker and more user friendly.

The top to side bend of the shifter box was done using the swag break without any added angle iron in the bottom die. Kinda hard to tell but there is at least a 1/2" radius in it.

Try this.
https://www.swagoffroad.com/SWAG-20-TON-FLAT-TOP-Adjustable-Bottom-V-Die-_p_94.html