Forming a bead roll on 5052 Al tubing

Thinking about putting a bead roll on some 1/2" 5052 Al tubing.  Has anyone ever used  a tool like an EZ Beader (Earl's,etc.) to do so? 

Evidently, the tool is only designed for softer stuff like 3003 Al, copper, etc.  I just need to get a dozen or so good beads without it breaking.  Considering heating the tubing to soften the metal prior to beading.

Any thoughts, or suggestions?  Appreciate!!

Dave

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Permalink Reply by Paul Bonasera on May 29, 2014 at 8:36am

5052 Is a soft metal non-heat treatable should be OK

Permalink Reply by Larry Zepp on May 29, 2014 at 7:07pm

Hi Dave, I use the ATS Parker style beading tool we have at work and it does a really nice job - but it is $$. The Earls EZ Beader looks like a capable tool for AL. Don't worry about the 5252 if you are going to only make a few beads. They probably mean it is not for hard tubing like stainless or high volume production beading of steel tubing. Best Regards, Larry Zepp

Permalink Reply by Ian Cerchi on May 29, 2014 at 9:05pm

G'day Dave,

                 these work really well !  I have 1'' and 1 1/4'' , they work well on 6061-T6 tube ,........as 5052 is softer you'll have NO trouble .          Ian

Permalink Reply by Bob Pustell on May 30, 2014 at 8:26am

I had to shorten and re-bead the 5/8 ID tube that came with the oil filter kit for my Stinson. I used a tool similar to your pictured tool and it made a fine bead. I did not heat it or do any prep other than smearing a bit of oil to let the tool rotate inside the tube more easily. I do not know what alloy the tube from the kit was but it was aluminum and seemed to be a fairly hard material, so I suspect your 5052 will be no problem.

Permalink Reply by Dan Dempsey on May 30, 2014 at 6:22pm

David,

I took a different approach.  I made beeding blocks.

http://daniel.dempseyfamily.us/zodiac/fuel/beedblocks.htm

Permalink Reply by Bob Pustell on May 30, 2014 at 9:11pm

Nice forming blocks, Dan! However, David (the original poster) is wanting to bead the end of aluminum tube so that a hose clamped onto the end will seal up better. Different objective than your very nicely formed stiffening stampings in those nicely made tanks.

Permalink Reply by David J. Beaulieu on May 31, 2014 at 8:20am

Thanks to all for the thoughts and input, will order the EZ-beader and let you know how it all turns out.  Will try without heat and with heat  (if necessary) for comparative ease/quality of the bead and post pics

Dave

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