Gary Wolf wrote:

Paul,
   I have made simple bead rollers by using heavy wall tube that is machined
to a slip fit inside the tube to be formed. Drill a hole in the heavy wall
to accept a ball that will determine the shape of the bead. Thread the
inside of the tube and then machine a taper on the end of a bolt that will
fit this thread.

   To use it, back the bolt out until the ball will sit flush with the OD of
the heavy wall. Introduce the assembly into the tube to be formed, and wind
the bolt in a bit so the taper forces the ball outwards a few thou. With
vice-grips, rotate the whole tool a few turns and then advance the bolt a
bit further to force the ball out more. Keep doing this until you have the
desired height of bead. I always use grease to prevent galling if the tubing
is aluminum.

                                        Gary Wolf

Sound very practical and workable. How about mass producing a dozen or
so and selling them to our readers? I'll buy one for 1-1/4 ID .049
tube. Use hex bar stock and turn it round where it fits into the
tube so a wrench can be used to turn it.

Paul Lamar
 
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