Bead Roller

[keith]

I took some pictures of the a-arm panel I'm making and how I use a bead roller.

I first laid out what I wanted with a sharpie, a steel ruler and a plastic template of different circles. They also make the plastic templates with squares and ovals.

Now I'm ready to start. The dies I used are called step dies. They come in different depths. I think this one is a 1/8".

I want the bead to faintly appear and then get more pronounced as it goes along the outline and then slowly dissappear into the other side.

I start out making one light pass. The next pass I go down aways and crank a little bit more pressure and then start letting off as I get to the exit side. Then I do it one more time just a little farther down the outline and cranked up a little more.

When I first started out in the 80's I was using a bead roller I bought at a sheetmetal shop auction. It had a hand crank and it made it hard to do very long runs without help. I then bought a harbor freight bead roller in the late 90's. It was pretty flimsy., but with some beefing up it got me by.

2 years ago I bought the motorized Mitler Bro's. bead roller. The motor makes a big difference in the long runs.

In my next post I'll show another way I make beads.

[keith]

I work on a lot of field cars and most of the floor boards are gone when I get them.

I make all of my floor boards and I try to get them to look like factory, unless it is a hot rod and they want a different design or the floor is missing.

To be able to accomplish this I use a different method, most bead rollers do not have a big enough throat. So I use a pullmax machine. The one I have was made in the 50's and weighs about 2500 lbs..

The floor board is a '40 Ford coupe that I work on when I need a break from the bird. The only piece that was saved from the '40 is the drive shaft tunnel and the master cylinder filler opening. Everything else was pretty much gone.

[keith]

I took some pictures of the a-arm panel going through the bead roller putting the roll in it so it blends in to the inner fender. I think it looks better than a 90 degree bend.

This takes about 2 passes. The die is what they call a spoiler die. I don't know why, unless it is used to make spoilers on race cars.

[tbird430]

WOW.

That's all I got right now. I'm speechless...

[keith]

This is just for fun bead rolling. Mitler Bro's makes a set of artist dies. They are real narrow so you can make tight turns.

A friend of mine lives in Oregan so I made him a Oregon Duck for his den.

My poor brother-in-law is a Kansas City Chief's fan(God help him) so I made him a KC arrowhead.

I put sign painters tape on the metal and then draw out my design with a pencil. Once I like it I go over it with a sharpie to make the lines show up better. I then use one of those surplus hospital adjustable tables and lay the piece on it and set down on a tall bar stool. I use one of those magnet base lights to light up my work area and then start following the lines, kind of like sewing.

[keith]

Here are the 2 pieces with paint added to high light the bead work. I like them better without the paint.

[tbird430]

Those are nice!!

Now your going to have us requesting 1958-59 & 1960 Thunderbird signs from you!! Haha!!

-Jon in TX.

[keith]

Those are nice!!

Now your going to have us requesting 1958-59 & 1960 Thunderbird signs from you!! Haha!!

-Jon in TX.

Jon,

That's a good idea. Maybe there's away we could use them for a fund raiser for the site.

I'll draw one up and see how it looks and post it. May take a couple weeks.

[tbird430]

That would be so AWESOME Keith!!

[Guest]

Hey Keith,
Man you are good with your hands! Keep up the good work and keep us posted. I'm just amazed by your work!!!
Richard D. Hord

[keith]

Hey Keith,
Man you are good with your hands! Keep up the good work and keep us posted. I'm just amazed by your work!!!
Richard D. Hord

Thanks Richard,

If I had a brain I could be dangerous.

I told my dad ," when I grow up I want to work on cars" he said "you can't do both".

[vernz]

I told my dad ," when I grow up I want to work on cars" he said "you can't do both".

Good choice......stay young and work on cars!!

Vern

[bird 60]

Hey Keith, that's one **** of a talent you have. Keep up the good work. Can't wait to see the T. Bird once it's finished.

Chris....From the Land of OZ.

[simplyconnected]

Beautiful craftsmanship! Your tools and your talents are light years from mine. I'm excited to see even more.

[Dakota Boy]

Isnt it amazing what can be done when a person with the right talent also has the right tools