So I have a couple welders now… and I’m going to be practicing a lot on different little projects around the house and garage before I do any work on anything else.
I will be redoing a piece of intercooler piping soon… so I wanted to do it the right way when I remake it. I read on a DSM forum how to make a bead roller for the ends of intercooler pipes (so the couplers cannot slip off) out of some stuff commonly found in the garage.
I used an older pair of vise grips, an exhaust clamp the same diameter as my IC piping (2.25"), and a large washer
Then weld the pieces together so that exhaust clamp and washer are attached to the vise grips in a way that the washer gets clamped inside the exhaust clamp. All materials were cleaned before welding
I dont think that will ever bend stainless 16ga, but aluminum it should with some elbow grease. no reason it wont!
I found a cheap bead roll die set on ebay. I have simple plans to make a bench/crank one. female die on a bearing block with a big fine tooth bolt for tension adjustment. Then a tool steel shaft, through a bearing block and the male die with a large handle. cool little project, I have to get on at some point.
good start man with the tig. you will love that machine the more you get used to it.
Steel sucks actually tigging, IMO aluminum is easier. have fun!
