Machine Builders Network+ Forums Machine Builders Network SxS, ATV, Rock Crawler, Mudder etc. Builds What to build next...

So I found a smaller project for now. I'm building a roll bender so I can build other things...curved things. I had a bunch of the parts around so this was more about making it all work together. It will be three rollers of 1-15/16 stainless 304 riding on 1.5" pillow blocks for the fixed rollers and a pair of take up bearings on rails pushed by 1.5-8 screws. I just welded up one of the two frames that the rollers span between. I'll weld the next one when I get some more time in the shop. Then I just need to cut the top piece of box beam that spans between them to connect the frames. I'll upload some pictures and the plans I put together for it. I made the frame out of 2"x3"x1/4" wall rectangular tubing. I was going to mount the nuts to the bottom of the upper frame pieces with a little locking device, but then realized they fit pretty nicely inside the 2"x3" tubing so I just slid the nut inside and the beam walls hold it from spinning. I'm bridging the two screws with some #60 chain to keep them turning in synch. I have 17 tooth sprockets on each screw so I can make reasonably fine adjustments from screw to screw to keep them level. I turned one end of each screw down and cut a keyway and the other end I turned down to fit the take up bearings and cut a snap ring groove to hold it all together. For the guide rails (gibs sort of) I put three set screw holes in each one so I can adjust the angle for when I weld the beams crooked...I did pretty well on the first frame so hopefully I don't actually need to use that adjustment.

I think I'll be able roll some fairly heavy stock and my rollers should allow for 8" wide stock (sheet really at that width) so it should prove useful. It can help me make the big circular frame for my flying saucer one of these days.