HF tube roller (1 Viewer)

[Waorani]

Needed to roll some steel rings for a grill project and stumbled across this HF tube roller and a set of SWAG Off Road flat rollers makes for it. I normally avoid HF stuff but the fact that SWAG was offering a variety of upgrades swayed me. Easily rolled several 24" rings out of 1 x .25 flat bar w/o too much issue other than it drifting across the rollers and being hard to keep straight. In typical HF quality style there's too much slop in the way the top roller is mounted and the weight of the large hand wheel hanging off it doesn't help. Less of a problem on a wider piece of 1-1/2 flat bar and probably wouldn't be an issue with the included tube rollers given the indents. About 4" of waste on each end given the spacing of the rollers. That could probably be modified and someday I'll try to figure out something to get rid of the slop for flat use. Could have had the rings formed at a local shop for less but now I've got it and maybe will have another use for it in the future.

 

[e9999]

can you push the shaft in 2 or 3 inches and put a weight on it on the other side?

 

[Waorani]

The SWAG shaft is keyed and won't allow it go thru further. I'm thinking UHMW sheets on each side of frame that take up slop in the roller cradle path. The big hand wheel weighs several pounds and a smaller hand crank might help but you'll lose some leverage. And speaking of the hand wheel - I hope they didn't roll it in one of these machines because it's wonky as all get out.

 

[e9999]

or simply use some washers on the upper shaft between the faceplates and the "fork"? Tthat should straighten it out.

 

[Waorani]

Yeah, I thought more about it last night and some large UHMW washers on the top shaft where you describe might be the ticket. Metal on metal probably wouldn't hurt either.

 

[e9999]

if the bar you are curving is not perfectly "flat" there will be large lateral forces, I suspect a softer material will get crushed and won't last too long. Some steel washers with some grease on them will likely last much longer IMO. Several thinner washers with grease in between will also likely let it all spin easier than just one thicker one.

 

[RUSH55]

Was just thinking yesterday about needing to roll some flat-stock and thinking that my HF roller could do the job if I had the right dies, and then now see this thread!

 

[Waorani]

Was just thinking yesterday about needing to roll some flat-stock and thinking that my HF roller could do the job if I had the right dies, and then now see this thread!

I ended up taking mine back rather than trying to resolve the slop in top roller design. But now that I've got the SWAG rollers/axle I'm trying to build my own frame. Apparently HF used to sell flat rollers but I couldn't find.

 

[RUSH55]

I ended up taking mine back rather than trying to resolve the slop in top roller design. But now that I've got the SWAG rollers/axle I'm trying to build my own frame. Apparently HF used to sell flat rollers but I couldn't find.

SWAG sells a conversion kit to attach an electric pipe threader as a drive motor and do away with the wheel. I’m sure you’ve seen all this stuff. Not sure if any of it helps with the problem you said you were having.

SWAG Tubing Roller, Dies & Accessories

Many of the products offered at Swag Off Road are an industry first. Every product is designed, developed, prototyped and tested here in Oregon & 100% proudly made in the USA. We specialize in off road products as well as unique & innovative fabrication tools. “DOING ORDINARY EXTRAORDINARY”

www.swagoffroad.com

 

[Waorani]

SWAG sells a conversion kit to attach an electric pipe threader as a drive motor and do away with the wheel. I’m sure you’ve seen all this stuff. Not sure if any of it helps with the problem you said you were having.

SWAG Tubing Roller, Dies & Accessories

Many of the products offered at Swag Off Road are an industry first. Every product is designed, developed, prototyped and tested here in Oregon & 100% proudly made in the USA. We specialize in off road products as well as unique & innovative fabrication tools. “DOING ORDINARY EXTRAORDINARY”

www.swagoffroad.com

I did see that and if I was planning on using a lot I'd consider it. I did order SWAG's bottle jack conversion which includes part of what's needed to hang a pipe threader. Figured the jack was easier to work into my design than a large screw for the upper roller. I'm probably going with a long hand lever to turn it rather than a wheel.

 

[Waorani]

My version of the HF roller using SWAG flat dies, driveshaft and bottle jack plates. A lot tighter/smoother and rolls straight. 3/8 side plates, 3/4 base and a hand crank instead of large wheel. Added an extra/wider set of bottom roller positions (common complaint in reviews). Weighs 100lbs vs 75 for the HF with three sets of tube dies. Only used the side plates from the SWAG kit and could have just cut my own if I'd thought about it a bit more. 20mm x 200mm axle shafts from McMaster Carr, 20mm shaft collars and quality 60042RS bearings.