Homemade Tubing roller drives...any ideas?

[1fine79]

Been wanting to build myself a tubing roller for those long arch projects like gate tops or arched entrance signs. I have JD2 bender that works awesome, but rolling is what I need. I build a lot of my own tooling so I have a pretty good idea how I want to build it, but what I really need is some possible ideas on how to power and drive this thing. Anyone got an idea how to do this (low budget)without having to spend a fortune on geared DC motor drives or such. I worked with a guy years ago that made one from a 12V anchor winch from a sailboat and it worked pretty good...something like that is what I had in mind but I live in NW Georgia now and there aren't that many sailboats to get old parts from, if you know what I mean. I know you DIY guys like me have some great ideas, can't wait to hear from you.

[weldor2005]

I cant seem to find the video, thought I saved it, but there is a youtube video out there where the builder used a Harbour Frieght electric drive pipe threader. Low speed high torque, and worked great. You simply need to weld a nut of the appropriate size on the roller that you want to be your drive roller. has a forward and revers already.

best of luck, I'm thinking of building one soon as well.

edit...
http://youtu.be/OM_QyvTCsyk

[abmagrum]

that would be old sarges video
he does awesome work

[weldor2005]

Heck, I'm in the market for a lathe just so I can turn my own dies for whatever I want to roll!

[tnbndr]

Try these posts:
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=11843&p=65568#p65568
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/shop-too ... eview.html

http://www.offroadfabnet.com/forums/sho ... php?t=9696

[1fine79]

Dennis,
Thanks for the links....I think I'm going to follow the lead of one of the guys that is building his with exterior dies. this will allow for easy ring rolling (without disassembly of the whole top half of the machine) and very quick die changes.
Also, I got some ideas from one video about making some adjustable die sets for square, angle and channel so you don't have to have one for every shape you roll (though the rounds have to match, so you cant really make those adjustable). Of course, this will limit the overall strength and capacity of the roller but i'm not looking to roll any 6" channel or 4" angle anyways. One thing that makes sense to me is to power all three rollers so you get a real smooth movement with out the slippage of a one powered roller setup, but IDK maybe slippage is not really an issue.
Anyways....still thinking and designing this thing in my head. As soon as I get started, I will post my progress and maybe with everyone's input, we can build one heck of a tubing/angle/channel/flat bar/etc, etc, etc roller.
Oh,yeah! I can already see those sleepless nights coming! Anyone have any suggestions on some good brain food? Mine is feeling a bit malnourished lately....LOL!

[tnbndr]

Look up Eagle bending machines and download a user manual. That is whAt you want to build. They have variable dies.

[VSAW]

Harbor freight sells a cheap tube roller that works pretty well.