Motorized Bead Roller
 

Not a harbor freight fan but for my needs this was a $500 solution instead of a $1500+ solution for a proper motorized bead roller.

In the end it works pretty well and allows me to work without an assistant turning a crank.

Took about a weekend to build, parts list and pics below. The HF bead roller flexes a ton and needs to be stiffened. I found a lot of help on Metalmeet.com. And Youtube of course.

The most challenging part was machining the hub of the winch to fit the countershaft sproket....proper alignment and accurate machining was key so that the sprocket fit tightly but given that the hub is hollow it was important not to go to far on the lathe. The pics should define the process but glad to provide more info.

Some manageable downsides:
The speed is a little fast, right about 5RPM but this was the slowest that could be achieved given the constraints of the winch motor and the available sprocket sizes. I spent significant time working this out trying to get to 4RPM. For a rookie bead roller, slower is better.
Also the winch runs out a bit after the button is released, just the nature of the high torque motor and the limited load placed on it.
Do a better job than I did on stiffening the crappy HF beadroller, it will pay off.
Also, do a better job with the tension adjuster. Use a wheel or at least a larger handle for more leverage. A depth gauge for this adjuster so you could duplicate beads easily would be helpful.

Harbor Freight:
Bead Roller
120V Winch

Amazon
Countershaft sprocket: Tsubaki 35B15F-1 Finished Bore Sprocket, Single Strand, Inch, #35 ANSI No., 3/8" Pitch, 15 Teeth, 1" Bore
Masterlink: Koch 7535040 Roller Chain Connector Link, 4-Pack, #35
Chain: Koch 7435100 Roller Chain, #35, 10 Feet
Bearing: Hub City FB260URX1 Flange Block Mounted Bearing, 2 Bolt, Normal Duty, Relube, Setscrew Locking Collar, Narrow Inner Race, Cast Iron Housing, 1" Bore,
Sprocket: W.A.O. GO CART / MINI BIKE SPROCKET..72 TOOTH / # 35 CHAIN
Hub: Live Axle Sprocket Holder Hub

Additional Pics

John nice job! It's pretty slick.

Very cool idea. I hope to do that with my bead roller some day!

nice work

Thanks!! Actually works pretty well. Forgot to mention to forgo the wheels. I got on a kick to make all of my large tools portable at least within the shop. This tool needs to be really stable, the wheels don't help that need. End up having to clamp it to the work bench. If I had to do it over again, I would have made some way to mount it to my workbench. Also, check out on MetalMeet how some have built a table to help support the piece while in motion. Would be nice. I bet working with a professional bead roller is butter!

Being able to forward/reverse right at the pedals must be very handy. I have to take my hands off the work and flip a switch.

Nice job! Try a Harbor Freight variable speed controller made for routers. Or use a foredom variable speed foot pedal & change direction with a toggle switch. You can also slow it down more with a jackshaft.