Lizer
Mad Scientist
I'm restoring my 78 Ford LTD II, I have a good blasted body shell for it but needs new floors. I've never done metal shaping but would find it interesting to get into and learn. I know the basic concepts of metal working. A few questions...
1. Are there many effective ways to stretch the metal prior to bead rolling other than an English wheel? I wouldn't use the wheel for much else and don't want it sitting around.
2. The 'beads' in my floors are very large, maybe 1.5" wide and recessed (or raised) a good 1/2-3/4". Is it possible to make huge flat beads like that, or should I just use the same pattern of beads the original floor has, but run several small beads next to each other instead of in lieu of one big one? OR
3. Is it possible to make a bead wider by rolling a new bead right along the edge of the first one?
4. What gauge for floor pans?
These are probably things I'd experiment with if I had a roller already but haven't bought one yet.
1. Are there many effective ways to stretch the metal prior to bead rolling other than an English wheel? I wouldn't use the wheel for much else and don't want it sitting around.
2. The 'beads' in my floors are very large, maybe 1.5" wide and recessed (or raised) a good 1/2-3/4". Is it possible to make huge flat beads like that, or should I just use the same pattern of beads the original floor has, but run several small beads next to each other instead of in lieu of one big one? OR
3. Is it possible to make a bead wider by rolling a new bead right along the edge of the first one?
4. What gauge for floor pans?
These are probably things I'd experiment with if I had a roller already but haven't bought one yet.