Bead rolled aluminium door trims

[Harv]

Looking for some advice please.

I'd like to make a set of bead-rolled door trims for an early Holden, similar to this:

Bead rolled aluminium door trims.JPG

I'm not sure whether to try and find a local shop (Sydney) to do the bead rolling, or have a go myself. Some questions please:
a) What gauge/type of ally sheet would suit?
b) I've never bead rolled before... is this a skill I could learn by practicing on say one door trims worth of ally (like learning to use a drill for the first time), or a skill that needs many, many hours of practice (like welding)?
c) I don't do much sheet metal work. If I bought a bead roller, it might get used perhaps once a year for similar, low tech projects. Not much chance of me using it more than that given the projects I do. Any suggestions on a suitable roller?

Cheers,
Harv

[Meeksie]

b) I've never bead rolled before... is this a skill I could learn by practicing on say one door trims worth of ally (like learning to use a drill for the first time), or a skill that needs many, many hours of practice (like welding)?

Yep it's not too difficult, you should be able to pick it up easily. If you have a powered roller it can be a one person job. But if you use a manual one it will be easier with 2 people as it's difficult to wind the handle and maintain control of the panel as well. I'd suggest getting on you tube and watching a few videos.

c) I don't do much sheet metal work. If I bought a bead roller, it might get used perhaps once a year for similar, low tech projects. Not much chance of me using it more than that given the projects I do. Any suggestions on a suitable roller?

Where do you live? If you are in Perth you can borrow mine, it's a manual one. Not fancy but will easily roll door panels.

[turns]

As Meeksie has commented, it isn't too hard - I encourage you to have a go.

For material I suggest 5005 aluminium 1.6mm BMT.

In Sydney, I mostly purchase from Edcon steel however I use this company for different metals https://www.australwright.com.au/

Cheers Turns

[Harv]

Thanks gents, appreciated. I live in Sydney, so a bit far to borrow one (Thankyou for the offer though).

Looks like I’ll buy one and have a crack.

Cheer,
Harv

[hewey]

Hey Harv, have you looked at MotorRRetro? They do full metal work restos, but also offer classes where you get tuition on using the tools in their shop. Might be a good way to kick off by having a pro look over your shoulder while you door your door trims. https://www.motorretro.com.au/

[Harv]

Thanks Hewey. I ended up biting the bullet and buying a beadroller, so will give them a call.

Their project list looks pretty flash though... wonder what they will think when I roll up in a cloud of blowby fumes in the FB and leave oil stains on their driveway

Cheers,
Harv

[jeffa]

Thanks Hewey. I ended up biting the bullet and buying a beadroller, so will give them a call.

Their project list looks pretty flash though... wonder what they will think when I roll up in a cloud of blowby fumes in the FB and leave oil stains on their driveway

Cheers,
Harv

I reckon they'd get a buzz from that.
I mean, how retro do you want? An aprentice tin basher turning up in an FB all oily and smokey?
Straight outa the 60's

[Harv]

I bit the bullet and bought a Kang bead roller, the type that sits in a vice. It's nothing flash, but should do what I need it to.

Had a quick play with some scrap painted steel sheet (the weird stuff in the photo is where the paint is spalling off). Fairly easy to use, but will need some more practice before doing the door trims. Straight lines are simple, as you can sight the texta mark in the "u" of the die. Following a tight curve is harder as if you line it up to the "u" at the edge of the die then the place you want to bend (under the centre of the die) can be offset.





Cheers,
Harv

[Gojeep]

Mark parallel lines the width of the U in the bead die. That way you can sight off either side and help you through your turns and even your straights will be more accurate. Either that or draw your line half the width off centre. I never just follow a line down the middle.
Also be aware that the single plate type rollers twist when going around tight corners and will not give a good bead because of it. They need to be reinforced like I show here.

http://willyshotrod.com/tools/24inchBeadRoller.htm

[Harv]

Thankyou That double-line idea is clever.

Cheers,
Harv