[TheForge] Seeking How To info...

[jerry Frost]

In dad's shop we called it "rolling a bead." Pexto makes a set of dies for
their rolls. They're similar to the fluting dies but are more complex and or
two pass per bead to close it. If you have access to a lathe you could make
a set to roll both edges at the same time making guiding the strip much
easier and cuts the steps in half. Unless I already had a bead roller set up
I wouldn't bid on 50, too small a run to break even let alone turn a profit.

Looking back on Dad's bidding process I'd guess the break even for a two
pass per side process like that at around 1,000 units IF you pay yourself
minimum wage. Do you have power rolls, something you could just feed blanks?
If you could roll them fast enough you might not take too bad a beating on
making the tooling, provided you have your own lathe. 

Heck, if you have a lathe sell them the tooling, you'd make a buck.

How much are you thinking to bid per unit Dave?

Jer

-----Original Message-----
From: TheForge [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Dave
Mudge
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2015 9:46 PM
To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: [TheForge] Seeking How To info...

looking for "How To" information. specifically, how to roll the bead on the
edges of this dog collar. I have a chance to bid on making 50 of these of
stainless steel. 2" wide x 18" circumference. any information at all will be
greatly appreciated...
click here for picture of dog collar http://tinyurl.com/mmpa3sw

dave m
listmom for TheForge