Motorizing a Woodward Fab Bead Roller on the Cheap! Part 1

This is how I use a cheap Harbor Freight Drill to power my Bead Roller.
Thanks for watching!
Watch Part 2. • Motorized Bead Roller ...

[@QuentinKarmark]

this is bad-ass... and the best mod I have seen so far for motorizing a manual bead roller - well done.

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Thanks friend! I appreciate it👍

[@tonycummings5427]

Very good idea, I especially liked the reversible drill thanks for the video !!

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Thanks for watching! I appreciate it👍

[@tomsmith3045]

This has to be the simplest, least expensive way to add power to that roller. Thanks for posting it! Love the idea of the foot pedal, makes it work kind of like a sewing machine. You know, the flex is because those arms are so long. If you mostly only roll on the edge, which would be me, you could take a piece of heavy angle iron and bolt it across those arms, just inside the bushings. That would stiffen it up a lot.

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Thanks, Tom! Good idea, about stiffening it near the bushings. That would accommodate most of my bead rolling too.👍Tony B

[@ww321]

That's really cool. I bought a bead roller from HF years over 25 years ago. I used it on a tool box I built. I had the same trouble as using it by my self. The funny part is that I had the same idea as you. 1/2 drill motor and a flex plate. I collected the parts to motorize it and haven't gotten around to doing it. Lol nice to know it works. Thanks for the video

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Great minds think alike! Haha! Thanks for watching👍

[@lenny_DGWN]

Used several of your ideas and this video made my project better. Appreciate you sharing.

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Thanks for the positive feedback, and for your support!

[@Mercmad]

What you could add is a bracket holding a ball roller bearing which acts a depth guide .it helps keep the beads really straight . mount it to your stiffening bar so it slides back and forth as needed.

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Good idea! 👍 Tony B

[@kamalairventilation2590]

Machines are very good designed to shape the job

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Thanks!👍

[@fastdadgarage-northsouthch4418]

Nice job, that is a tool I’m hoping to get very soon. Your thoughts are appreciated.

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Thanks! I use it a lot more than I thought I would.

[@Legacy4x4andOffRoadYT]

Genius! Great work!

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Thanks! It worked out pretty well.

[@Legacy4x4andOffRoadYT]

Chips And Sparks Garage I’d say so!

[@rockerpat1085]

Very nice modification!!! I have a gear reduction on mine and a belt. Wish I had made it with a chain instead!!! Keep Rocking it out!!!

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Thanks Pat! Even a belt drive beats hand cranking. Tony B

[@rockerpat1085]

@@ChipsAndSparksGarage You got that right about the hand crank!!! Way too hard to operate!!! A better solution is a steering wheel!!! I have an old left over wheel from the 47 Chevrolet Pick'm Up Truck I rebuilt on my roller as well!!! Real nice for precision work!!! The only bad thing about the belt is it slips when I have 18 gauge in it!!! Just too thick, so I end up helping it with my hand wheel!!! But still way better than the crank!!! Keep Rocking!!!

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

@@rockerpat1085 yeah, before I powered it, I was searching for a large diameter steering wheel off a sailboat. The prices were crazy though.

[@Jeff-h4b]

Wow that’s a great idea👍

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Thanks! I appreciate it👍

[@Tommy_Mac]

Nice video! I think you might be able to minimize the flex by using an adjustable backstop that would go in the slot. Have it overlap the top and bottom and tighten it with a bolt or two. Make it out of 1/4" thick 2x2 angle and 2 pcs. 1/4" plate. Could make it 6- 8" long. Should stiffen it right up

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Thanks! Yes, that’s a good idea👍

[@BenModified]

Very Nice!!

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Thanks Ben!

[@hookshotrods7161]

great idea

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Thanks, Allan!

[@cfmechanic]

Great video was gonna correct about flywheel but u caught it.

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Thanks! I appreciate it. Yeah, sometimes my mouth and my brain, have to fight it out😁 Tony

[@jcdahippie]

What about mounting the drill underneath instead of on top?

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Sure, you could do that, but I wanted this for bench top use. Thanks!👍

[@guillermonieri4203]

Thank you.

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Thanks for watching!👍

[@256garage]

Good job..

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Thanks! I appreciate that.

[@iman80skid91]

How are you controlling the speed. Are you using a foot pedal variable resistor type.

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Yes, I show it in the video. I use a variable speed foot controller from my foredom grinder. There are other brands of foot controllers available @ less cost. this is just what I already had. I believe that Harbor freight sells one, too. Thanks for watching!

[@ShainAndrews]

2:02 Is all the further you needed to watch the video.... some peoples kids....

[@deankay4434]

@Shane Andrews >Yes, nichrome wire wrapped in series with a manual resistance connector. Similar to a large toaster but in reverse, just like mom’s sewing machine pedal at night it has a nice glow!

[@dannyboyz4200]

great job .I was thinking of simular with a cordless 24v drill and using low speed to really control speed?

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

That’s a good idea. The DC motor on a cordless will have a lot of torque, too. 👍Tony B

[@collinholmes325]

What is the model # on the foot pedal you use? Thanks!

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Hi Collin, it is a Foredom model SCT. Thanks for watching!

[@joesask857]

nice

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Thanks, Joe!👍

[@tomster70]

How is your foot controller connected?

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

The drill is plugged into the foot controller. The foot controller is plugged into 110 volt outlet.👍

[@thomasking2081]

GREAT VIDEO, WHAT DID YOU USE FOR A FOOT PEDAL?

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

I use a variable speed foot controller from my foredom grinder. There are other brands of foot controllers available @ less cost. this is just what I already had. I believe that Harbor freight sells one, too. Thanks for watching!

[@thomasking2081]

@@ChipsAndSparksGarage GREAT, THANKS FOR THE REPLY

[@waltercontreras5022]

How many Watts are the drill

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

700 watts

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

$30 Drill $32 Flexplate $13 starter pinion $128 Bead Roller $10 5” diameter faceplate Please Comment and subscribe. Thanks!

[@254tom]

ummm it looks like a good ummm job.

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Thanks for commenting!

[@nunobear1003]

👍

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Thanks!