New (yer ok) tool

[novocaine]

I had a reason to take an empty car across the hills yesterday for work. Whilat there i stopped by my mums which means i could spend an hour or ao in my dads old workshop. Ive been slowly emptying it for 10 years now since he died. Only a few major tools left to move including theblathe which will take some doing but i want to do it this year.
Whilst there i collected this hunk of metal for a clean up. I will be removing its legs to make it bench top as i dont have the space in my garage for it.


Its blooming heavy and i want to make a few modifications to it. But it works.

 

[AndyP]

I know what it does but can’t remember it’s name. Anyway what projects have you in mind for it.

 

[novocaine]

This one os a sheet metal roller but i intend to add a set of dies to the none drive side to use as a ring roller. Ill also make the top wheel quick release.
Projects. No idea but a few times ive wished i had it hear but didnt, normally when doing something odd like making a bbq or a chimney or such. It is one of those tools that you rarely use, but you need it, there is nothing else that will do it. Along with this and the die formers for scroll work i might make a new metal gate this summer to replace the wooden one.

 

[AndyP]

In remember Henry Cole’s sidekick getting all dewy eyed over one of those. He used it to bend metal rods to make a bike stand. It looked like fun to use and very satisfying.

 

[sunnybob]

If you mount it on a bench youll severely limit its use.
Its open underneath to allow longer pieces of metal to curve around.
Make it into a workhorse type folding trestle if you want to save space.

 

[clogs]

I feel you'll need a bigger workshop ....
glad you saved your dads stuff...
my dad didn't have much in the way of tools.....
I was living abroad when that day came.....
my bro took all his tools sold em for just a few quid and peed it up the wall....
families....!!!!!!!!

 

[novocaine]

If you mount it on a bench youll severely limit its use.
Its open underneath to allow longer pieces of metal to curve around.
Make it into a workhorse type folding trestle if you want to save space.

Already considered that.
The intent is to and a set of dog holes to both ends. If i need to roll a large hoop that runs under, i can slide it off the bench and support the end with a outfeed rest.

It isnt about saving space, even in my dads workshop that was 8x6m this lived in a shed out back. My 4x3m workshop has swallowed most of his gear but this has to be reduced in size of i want the lathe. And i really do want the lathe.

 

[Robert]

During my years as a lighting manufacturer we made an awful lot of curved sheet metal items.

We had a couple of sets of rollers. Some 3ft long 2 inch manual ones like yours and some 4ft x 4 inch motorised rolls. They were only ever used for prototypes as the process was just too slow for production. Production was pressed around formers.

I thought rollers always came with rod shaping grooves of different radii near one end but don't see them on yours.

Bit confused by the curving underneath comment as rollers I've used the workpiece curves up in the air and comes back over the top at you.

memories....

 

[sunnybob]

S shapes and other complicated forms need up and under room.
Like Jonie Mitchell said "you dont know what youve got till its gone" :lol:

 

[novocaine]

Ah you see, the funny thing about these rollers is they are home made.
Hence the intention of adding dies on the non drive end for ring rolling. When we made it we didnt bother with thinking of a way to remove the lower rollers, so im thinking about how to do that right now so i can set them on centres and add a ring groove maybe.

I very much dowt ill miss the legs, but if i do, ill make a new set.

 

[novocaine]

Today i went into the workshop and got legless.