Harbor Freight bead roller upgrade

[Toolmaker51]

Thanks for your reply, Toolmaker51, and for pointing out that I hadn't included my location in my profile, now updated. I guess I'll look on ebay, etc for a bead roller.

Mike

I hesitate mentioning brands, websites, or stores unless I find them stellar. But the wide variety of importers and tool houses will have this.
Easiest way I know is Googling and look at the images page. It will be clear who is selling, posting modifications, and so on. Rollers aren't so specific to one trade; car & bike builders, fabricators, and many trades use light gauge sheet metal...

Then again, all you need is a couple good photos to fabricate one from scratch, scads right here on HMT.net Not all that different from a clothes wringer, two shafts rotate towards each other [ 1 CW, 1 CCW]. Diesets with male & female contours do the work, and beading is just the start.
Some shafting, frame material, bearings/ bushings, gears [or sprockets & chain] and a handcrank. Instead of buying and modifying, build per the mods others have uncovered! A little planning, could incorporate a motor down the road.

Troll Hunter posts, and I'll bet a large number of other HMT.net'ers lament "...don't have any metal working machines, lathe, miller, or such, so I'm limited to MIG welding and Mr. Grinder!".
So let's design around commercial components a bead roller that bolts and welds together! That's why we're here, right?

[Troll Hunter]

Many thanks, Toolmaker51, you have opened my eyes to the possibilities. I don't have any metal working machines, lathe, miller, or such, so I'm limited to MIG welding and Mr. Grinder! Even so, I'm an avid recycler and DIYer. I hate to dump anything.

I must obvioudly spread my net wider to find my wishlist tools! I'll keep a'looking.

Mike

[Eljorger]

this is the only good one I have