"Schertz, William W." wrote:

Paul,
I think Al Gietzen was asking about beading aluminum tubing.  I found

a

fellow builder about 30 miles away that owned a Parker beading tool

set, and

took my tubing up to his shop to do the beading (he doesn't let them

out of

his sight!).

Aircraft Tool Supply offers two beading tools, PDF attached.

Bill Schertz

Yes I know and that is what my drawing was for. A CHEAP aluminum tubing
beading tool.


The price at $300 from Aircraft tool  is outrageous when it it so simple
to make.

Here is their add anyway for you rich folks. :)

http://www.aircraft-tool.com/

I have never seen a reasonably priced tool from that outfit. I don't
even
bother to look at their motor home booth at air shows anymore.

Bill;

According to their catalog the largest size in the Parker set is for 1"
tube.  I'm doing 1 1/4 and 1 1/2.  What dia. Was your tube?  How much
did he charge you to do it

Paul's right; very expensive tools to use for a couple of beads.  But
then the simple "cheap" tool requires making the mandrels for each size
and finding a hydraulic press.

Seems like the one Bill Adkins made should work.  Maybe he was trying to
make too high a bead.  Only needs to be about 1/16", maybe a bit more.

I checked 4 local sheet metal shops; nobody could work with tubes less
than a few inches dia.  Their bead rollers are for beading flat stock.

Maybe putting on a weld bead and grinding it smooth is the easiest.  My
tubing has to be welded in about a dozen or more places anyway.

Thanks to all for the help and ideas; especially Paul!

Al

 
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