Well since I'm working 3rd shift and virtually no time for my truck I thought I would build a tube roller. I don't know why I want one but I have wanted to build one for some time now. I 'm copying someone else's design originally, but have decided to modify the design and actually make a adjustable duel roller design. Never seen that, or has never been done to my knowledge. This is what I was going to copy.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=788408
The design in the link below is cool, but non adjustable as far as the two bottom rollers. I like the adjustability of the first links design. But I like this guys motor drive and chain setup.
http://www.offroadfabnet.com/forums/...ead.php?t=2887 LINK NO GOOD ANY MORE.
Only thing about the, what I call "Fingers" design where you adjust the two bottom roller by moving the shaft to the next finger is the shaft is resting and riding on the radius of the finger of the plate and not on a bearing. The dies have bearings but the shaft still rides on the plate. Could gall possibly, probably not but still it just bugs me. The second link shows the dies on the outside of the frame. While the first design shows the tradidional design with the dies inboard.
I'm making mine with two sets of dies, inboard AND outboard. I will also have the chain drive setup similar to the second links design. Will have a geared motor to power the shafts through sprockets. I'm going to have a chain tentioner of somekind and will have to have a couple of different chains for the amount of adjustment I have built in to it. no big deal, will assemble easily.
The benifits (IN THEORY) of having a duel roller design is if I have to roll two identical tubes I can have two sets of dies and roll two tubes at once. They SHOULD be as close to identical arcs as rolling one at a time will yeild only closer and at once. I think having to roll one piece, then match the second tube to the first tubes arc will be tough and tedious. Also, when I'm rolling say mostly 1 3/4 and want to roll some square tube, the outer die set will be quick release design and will pop off easy for a different set of dies.
I'm not done with this, it's a work in progress. Still need keyed shafts, collars clamps and have some have machining to do. I have to machine the roller dies set and the top cross plate that will bolt the top of the plates together and has the acme threaded shaft threded into it for the pressure roller setup. I have the material ready to go.
I had to make a custom radius cutting tool for the roller dies which I did and it's ready to get to cutting. Still need sprockets and chain and the gear motor and power control aswell. Also the 9/16 bolts for the bearing blocks need to be cut off to length. The load on the bolts will be on shank, not the threaded portion of the bolts.
It will come together, but I'm STOKED I'm FINALLY able to get after it. The plate will get either Anodized or powder coated all Red. I have to make a frame on casters so I can roll it outside too. When tube is rolled, it tends to side curl somewhat. This is normal. When rolling two tubes I plan on having the two ends on both ends of the two tubes clamped together with a fixture I need to make to minimize the side curling. Both plates were match drilled and machined together so everything is perfect. What'cha think?
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=788408
The design in the link below is cool, but non adjustable as far as the two bottom rollers. I like the adjustability of the first links design. But I like this guys motor drive and chain setup.
http://www.offroadfabnet.com/forums/...ead.php?t=2887 LINK NO GOOD ANY MORE.
Only thing about the, what I call "Fingers" design where you adjust the two bottom roller by moving the shaft to the next finger is the shaft is resting and riding on the radius of the finger of the plate and not on a bearing. The dies have bearings but the shaft still rides on the plate. Could gall possibly, probably not but still it just bugs me. The second link shows the dies on the outside of the frame. While the first design shows the tradidional design with the dies inboard.
I'm making mine with two sets of dies, inboard AND outboard. I will also have the chain drive setup similar to the second links design. Will have a geared motor to power the shafts through sprockets. I'm going to have a chain tentioner of somekind and will have to have a couple of different chains for the amount of adjustment I have built in to it. no big deal, will assemble easily.
The benifits (IN THEORY) of having a duel roller design is if I have to roll two identical tubes I can have two sets of dies and roll two tubes at once. They SHOULD be as close to identical arcs as rolling one at a time will yeild only closer and at once. I think having to roll one piece, then match the second tube to the first tubes arc will be tough and tedious. Also, when I'm rolling say mostly 1 3/4 and want to roll some square tube, the outer die set will be quick release design and will pop off easy for a different set of dies.
I'm not done with this, it's a work in progress. Still need keyed shafts, collars clamps and have some have machining to do. I have to machine the roller dies set and the top cross plate that will bolt the top of the plates together and has the acme threaded shaft threded into it for the pressure roller setup. I have the material ready to go.
I had to make a custom radius cutting tool for the roller dies which I did and it's ready to get to cutting. Still need sprockets and chain and the gear motor and power control aswell. Also the 9/16 bolts for the bearing blocks need to be cut off to length. The load on the bolts will be on shank, not the threaded portion of the bolts.
It will come together, but I'm STOKED I'm FINALLY able to get after it. The plate will get either Anodized or powder coated all Red. I have to make a frame on casters so I can roll it outside too. When tube is rolled, it tends to side curl somewhat. This is normal. When rolling two tubes I plan on having the two ends on both ends of the two tubes clamped together with a fixture I need to make to minimize the side curling. Both plates were match drilled and machined together so everything is perfect. What'cha think?
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