I want to make an extension for my Weber Grill to raise the lid up. I need to make I wire bead, so the lid will fit right. Can I make the bead first, then bend the Arc in the metal, or do I need to make the Arc first, then the wire bead. The reason I'm asking is I have a brake, and can make the bend first, before I go to the Hammer and Anvil.

 

Went to Gatormeet this past year where the group made and wire edged fenders for a 1918 International farm truck.

See here: The Garage Journal Board - View Single Post - MP&C Shop Projects


The fenders were cut to size, wired, then the bead detail added on the Pullmax, then the fenders shaped to fit (rolled). I've seen it done both ways, but as you can see in the link, these fenders were flat, so minimal shape. If you had to do a job with a lot of shape to the panel, like early 30's fenders, I would say the bead should be added later after all the shaping..

So not sure if you have the round (real) Weber or a new-fangled version with a square lid, but I'd approach each of them differently based on the above..

 

I looked at the link, man they look to be doing it the hard way inserting the wire.

I guy whose shop I used to hang around had custom dies for a bead roller, & he just rolled the lip, then formed it & inserted wire, while rolling it closed, then one last pass. to snug it tight.


he restored model A and T vehicles, plus other vintage vehicles.

 

Yeah, most guys that don't do it everyday to justify the tooling just do it by hand. I can see a Model A guy using that right frequently When I bought my Fasti bead roller it came with the wiring dies, but I have yet to use them. One of these days...