Upgrading my HF Bead Roller

[astroracer]

I was asked on another forum where I got the pinion gear. A buddy gave me the flexplate, it fits an '85CJ straight six so I ordered a Bendix for it and cut it apart.

Here are more pics as I modified the backing plate. I slotted the top rear bolt hole to allow the shaft to move for upper die adjustment,



drilled a clearance hole for the 1/4" die return bolt and trimmed off that block to make room for the modified vice grip for die clamping.

Two holes were also drilled for 1/2" bolts that will attach the bead roller to my receiver adapter.


I cut up two perfectly good clamps to make the upper die clamp...

This will make setting the die so much easier and faster it will be worth it. I did some eyeball engineering, cutting the lower jaw off, leaving some material to weld on a spacer block.

I trimmed off the upper jaw, removing the drop leg so the clamp lug can weld straight on.

I should have left about an inch of the drop in place. That would have spaced the clamp up a bit more in relation to the die shaft.
THIS would have been a good spot...

Hind sight, I guess. This will work but I will need to tip the clamp a bit to get room above the shaft.
New clamp, ready to weld to the backing plate.

Thanks for watching, I'll post more later.
If you have any questions holler!
Mark