harbor freight bead roller

[themangeraaad]

So does anyone know if harbor freight still sells a bead roller? I checked the site and couldn't find anything. I am going to replace my floor pans soon (maybe this weekend) and feel like flat steel will be a bit on the un-structural side. Planning on replacing the floors with either 16 or 18 gauge depending on if I can get a bead roller or not.. Don't want to spend too much since I probably wont be finding too many uses for a bead roller once the floors are replaced (so I suppose I could rent one rather than buying). But does anyone know if they are still selling them?

 

[heyhar]

Take a look at Grizzly.com. They only have three showrooms, but the website has lots-o-stuff. Just was out there today, in Muncy PA. Picked up a shop press. Maybe I can stop banging out U-joints on the garage floor.

 

[themangeraaad]

hmmm, just checked there adn didnt see any bead rollers.

that and they seem to have quality stuff, I was looking for cheap. :laugh2: The harbor freight one was supposedly < $100 (or in that range) so it would be decent for a one time use thing if that's all it lasted.

however I will keep them in mind when I need good stuff.

 

[tbburg]

I bought one maybe a decade ago. I've only used it on aluminum, so I can't vouch for steel, but it's held up well. Harbor freight still sells them, (I just saw one in one of their stores about a month ago)but they used to have 2 sizes(12" and 18" depth). They only had the 12" model in the store, not sure if the 18" is still available.

 

[themangeraaad]

Thanks, just called my local store and they have the 12" and 18" ones available. I never knew there was a 'harborfreightusa.com' site, that would have saved me a lot of time, :banghead: I have always been searching 'harborfreight.com'

Now the question is how badly do I need one of these? I thought I read somewhere it can do up to 16 gauge, but according to the site its only up to 18 gauge. Sigh, I was going to do alot of work with 16 gauge stuff (floors, wheel wells, etc).

 

[heyhar]

Just Google harbor..., and by the time you've typed the 'b', their website pops up in the choices.

 

[themangeraaad]

Well I have the site now :cheers:

Now I just have to decide if I want to spend the money since it doesn't do 16 gauge.

 

[heyhar]

Would it be possible to take a piece of your 16 gauge to a store, and ask to try the item on display, if there's one there? If indeed it works, and you're not earning your paycheck with it, it may be worth a shot. I'm gonna guess that if you use it on a hobbyist level, it may give you good service.

 

[mavinwy]

I have one. 18ga works OK, 16 is really a no-go for steel.

For what I use it for the price was good. Not really a professional quality tool, but for the occasional user it has been fine.

Jim

 

[themangeraaad]

I guess now I just need to get a vice and the 18" tool. Should be like 200-250$ total. Not too bad.

Still disappointed that 16ga is a no-go.. I may end up getting a 4'x8' sheet of 18ga and a 4x8 sheet of 16ga. I talked to a friend who quoted me like $150 for a sheet of 18ga.. just called another place who said they would sell it to me for $55. So I can buy both and still save money

 

[kastein]

where would that be? I feel I am going to need this info at some point... and I want to weld up a bumper sometime, do they have similar prices on 4x2 3/16 wall tube etc?

 

[themangeraaad]

you would have to call in order to ask for prices. This place is down near Halifax where I live, probably about 1-1.5 hrs from Worcester.

Place is called Turner Steel, in Bridgewater MA. Google 'Turner steel' and they come right up.

Edit: I will be leaving work early tomorrow to hopefully borrow my parents suburban in order to pick up the sheet(s). I will try and remember to check the price on the 4x2 tube while I am there. Only thing that sucks is they are open mon-fri 8-5, so working full time adn getting steel is gonna be tough