Bead roller stand
 

Got a bead roller from a very good friend of mine, RIP Bear, decided to build a stand for it so that I can finish the floors in my 35. I have an East Wood power kit coming for it which should make it a whole lot easier to use. It is a clutch brand 18 inch throat.

Re: Bead roller stand
 

Nice job.

Re: Bead roller stand
 

Nice stand , I think I'll copy , if you don't mind . Do you have a part # for the power adapter . I did go to the Eastwood site and could not find thepower adapter . Thanks , Gary

Re: Bead roller stand
 

Congratulations, it is very professional-looking.

Re: Bead roller stand
 

Gary, this is the one I purchased, item # 21111, should be here any day. I’ll let you know how it works.

Re: Bead roller stand
 

I started will wheels on my stand. It moved around too much so I switched it to a big truck brake drum that is about 150 lbs. The drum hold the roller steady now.

Re: Bead roller stand
 

Thanks for all the comments,
Yea, I wasn’t sure about the wheels, these are four inch casters, with brakes on two of them. Leftovers I had in the shop. If it is unstable, then I will make changes.

Re: Bead roller stand
 

Thanks !

Re: Bead roller stand
 

There are a lot of good videos on YouTube on upgrading these bead rollers.
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...ller+motorized

Re: Bead roller stand
 

Yes I’ve seen several of those videos. I already made the modification for the return spring for the upper roller. This is almost a necessity.
So my Eastwood power drive arrived today, really easy to install once I found a 3 mm Allen wrench;(
I just tried it on a light piece of aluminum and it worked great, but we’ll see how it does on a heavier gauge steel.

Re: Bead roller stand
 

I like that power adapter. I think I'll order one.

For anyone that is NOT going to use a power adapter, I adapted a steering wheel to replace that hand crank. That helped a lot, especially when working by myself because it allowed me to move my right arm just a couple of inches instead of cranking that handle around in that huge arc.

Re: Bead roller stand
 

Yea, the handle makes it pretty much a two man operation. Good idea on the steering wheel!
I think I’ll use this a lot more with power!

Re: Bead roller stand
 

My son is making me a power adapter... a gear off a bike cassette, some big angle iron, and a free power source in the form of a DC motor he harvested from a treadmill. Add all that together with his mill, lathe, and smarts from robotic training and hopefully I'm set! My BDay is tomorrow so here's hoping...

Re: Bead roller stand
 

Like to see that, I’ve heard a treadmill motor is a good start for a conversion. Will you be able to control speed?

Re: Bead roller stand
 

First attempt at making a floor replacement part. Worst part of my 35 coupe floor is the trunk. This is the “flat” trunk floor. Which contrary to all replacement floors you can buy, is not flat. I’ve seen the EMS floor, it will work, but is not the same. The factory trunk section has a raised curve width on the edges to facilitate the upwards curve of the frame. I started this with the roller, it it will need hammer: dolly work to match. Not perfect yet, but close.

Re: Bead roller stand
 

I don't mean to be flippant, but if the EMS floor is close, wouldn't it be a better place to start?

Re: Bead roller stand
 

Not flippant, but a good observation. Guessing maybe cost?? Satisfaction of doing it from scratch??

Re: Bead roller stand
 

Looking good Ralph. Be sure to update us as you progress.

Re: Bead roller stand
 

Yes,
EMS pan would be a good start, but cost of pan and freight to Alaska is about what this motorized conversion cost.
Plus, yes, I get to do it myself!

And there are other parts of my floor that EMS does not make that I now have the ability to!