Tube roller build

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Hello everyone!As you can see in title I am building a tube roller. I would appreciate any comments about design, especialy negative comments so I can change the design before I start to build it.So here are the picturesFrame only:Roller dies are 118mm in diameter, shafts are 35mm diameter, plates for frame are 15mm thick.Any constructive criticism is welcome!
Reply:I don't have the expertise to give you input on the design -- but are you planning on making your own dies or using someone else's?  I have the Harbor Freight tubing roller and have been happy with it.  Their die sets are only $50 (the tool itself comes with three die sets and only costs about $120 when it's on sale).Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Based on his location I don't know that he has a HF to cater to him.  How big can the HF roller go?  I'm planning on getting a tube roller eventually and I'd like to be able to roll 1/4"x2" flat stock or 1.5" 14" ga square tube.
Reply:As you have it designed, then I would buy the HF and Modify If need.  The dies alone are reason enough to purchase it. I would at least build with their shaft/spacing dimensions, so you can have access to there cheap dies.If you wanted an open design, then it might be worth doing a shop built roller.  However, I would try to stick close to a commercial specs, so you can order dies.  For me 3 concave dies take a while to produce.  I built the roller below.  Bent 1.25" schedule 40 and 2.25" cap rail  on edge  for a curved rail and  1.75 cap for a spiral step rail. However, last time I had to bend some 2 inch square tube, I didn't have the time nor desire to build dies and ended up having Eric C do it for me.   So stick to some readily available design.   My roller has served me well the amount I use it.  However, I wouldn't hesitate to replace it however If the need arose.  http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...+roller+weighs
Reply:I missed the Slovenia part.  It's a shame, since the OP is probably closer to where the benders are made than those of us in the U.S.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Well I forgot to say that I am buiding this tube roller for my degree in engineering, I have already performed numerical analysis of tube bending now i have to build tube roller so I can compare results betwen numerical analysis and experimental. And I have changed design a little, here it is:Tomorrow it will go to laser cutting. I will post more when I go along!PS.: Here in Slovenia it is perhaps easier to buy an elephant then set of bending dies (read as joke  ), that is one of the negative sides of living in a small country!Last edited by T_Eclipse; 08-09-2010 at 03:46 PM.
Reply:T_Eclipse,I'd consider moving the bulkhead mount bearings to the outside of the housing simply to reduce the working throat, or space between the two vertical supports. They would be easier to install maintain (lubricate) and replace or remove, and to change if the dies/rollers will be changed for various diameters tubing?Also the bottom appears to have two rectangular section bars, as well as three tubes/pipes as frame elements? This seems unexplained by the load (tension) these elements would resist?If the bearings were moved to the outside of the frame, there may be an existing steel shape channel that might bolt into this space reducing costs, improving fit and making the project less complex?Cheers,Kevin Morin
Reply:Good luck on the project I am also building a tubing roller and am near complete. Good luck and I like the design you should have no problem rolling 14 gauge 1.5 square tube as long as the frame is substantial (3/8 thick or so...) Mine is a bit different but feel free to check it out I have a thread on here but it hasn't been updated in a while. ... kris
Reply:Might make the horizontal legs a bit wider & have 2 sets of bearings there, so you can make longer arcs or closer together to make tighter arcs.I have that HF roller too, bored 2 holes closer together so I could make tighter 1/2" square tubing rolls.  Made the flat spot a lot smaller with the bottom rollers closer together.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Mark,I hate that you have a lathe and a tubing roller and I don't !!!I am going to need you to roll some grates for my smoker now. Talk to you when I see you.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:Well, here is finished tube roller and first rolled tube 33,7mm OD, 3mm wall thickness, 6 passes only. I still have to align bearings units so it will run more smothly. As you can see in pictures I made some changes prior to the first design.And I would like to thank Kevin Morin for an idea for using UNP profiles between plates!Thanks for watching and thanks everyone for help in my build!
Reply:It didn't update post, I guess it's because problems with web page so i hope it will update it now!
Reply:Hey guys. I don't mean to hijack here, but I've got that same harbor freight roller that I picked up on sale. I bought it a few months ago to make some curved pieces for a camera dolly track.I've hardly used it since. What sort of projects are you turning out with yours? Jack?I'd really like some ideas to put that thing to more use.Thanks!
Reply:Nice job!I like your oak flooring also!~Justin Manufacturing EngineerWWU Vehicle Research Institute c/o 2010
Reply:Hi,I have stumbled onto your thread and am so impressed with your drawing of the tube roller! Just wondering if you have any dimensions and measurements to share with us?I would truly be grateful if you did have the final blue-print of all dimensions and would contribute my progress to the forum.RegardsKevin