Aluminum Beadlocks

Rockwells607 · Feb 7, 2011

so i wanna make a set of aluminum outer beadlock rings, whats everyone using? how thick and what grade aluminum? prolly draw a sketch on a napkin and give it to the programmer...he sits behind his computer drawing work crap all day, im sure he would love a fun little project and i will mill em out

crawler1 · Feb 7, 2011

1/2 6061 aluminum . Send your design to Wide open designs , Tn .. Adam Can hook you up .

Rockwells607 · Feb 8, 2011

im a machinist and build everything that i can myself so im gonna give these a shot, but thanks for the input, im gonna start sketchin something out, when i get something transfer onto cad or uni-graphics i will post up

Bubba1 · Feb 8, 2011

If you use .500 you can counterbore for a shcs. I recently made some on a waterjet, I could not imagine making my design with a manual machine but good luck. post some pics.

Rockwells607 · Feb 8, 2011

I dont run a manual, we have 3 prototraks on bridgeports and I run a 3 axis Roberts CNC mill...pretty much cut any design with it, thats what most custom wheel builders used before the water jet came along, mite have squashed all my plans with the whole idea though, i got a price quote from our metal supplier at work, they want $600 for a 4'x4' .500 sheet of 6061 almn. that just seems crazy...i will prolly stick with steel

Bubba1 · Feb 8, 2011

Sorry for some reason it seemed like you were do them manual. Maybe you can find some drops don't get a full 4x4 sheet. Somebody has some drops of kaiser plate laying around a lot cheaper.

kmcminn · Feb 8, 2011

Bunch of Machinist feel sorry for you poor bastards.

Josh Bishop · Feb 8, 2011

You can have some made ready to go for that price!

CSMITH · Feb 8, 2011

kmcminn said:
Bunch of Machinist feel sorry for you poor bastards.

I've never seen a poor machinist!

kmcminn · Feb 8, 2011

You know me so that is one poor one.

Rockwells607 · Feb 9, 2011

I enjoy maken my own parts so they are custom but some stuff just doesnt make sense, i bought a set of weld on steel beadlocks for 200$ and I couldnt even buy enough .250 plate to make the 8 rings that cheap! as for the "Poor" machinist...well...hahaha since i got outta the tool room, I dont do a whole lot but get up every now and then out of my chair to change a part or a tool and hit go again...spend alot of time reading my pile of 4x4 mags and web wheelin at work! :popcorn:

kmcminn · Feb 9, 2011

The thing to do is draw out the parts you are wanting on surfcam or any kind of cad software, save it as a dxf file and email to the LCS in Birmingham the can usually laser it out cheaper than I can get material for. :****: The laser is accurate as hell also. Oh and it sounds like you are a button pusher not a real machinist. :flipoff1:

Just Kidding

crookedcampbell · Feb 9, 2011

I am running a set of Ballistic Fab beadlocks . They are 3/8" 6061 T6 32 bolt 3/8" countersunk head cap screws

Rockwells607 · Feb 9, 2011

I most certainly am a button pusher now, I worked in a Tool Room for 5 years and loved the constant change of pace and thought process of intricate parts, quite that job and went to a Factory machine shop (union) and now have retired to button pushing the Union way, lol money is much better where im at now but a well trained monkey could do the same work

Bigred350 · Feb 9, 2011

I cut these out by hand. Plasma cutter and burr bit is all you need!!!!

Josh Bishop · Feb 9, 2011

Your rings are cuttin backwards! youll never get up those rocks! LOL

BlackYJ · Feb 10, 2011

Just run steel rings. Pretty wheels are for the brothas ;D

Rockwells607 · Feb 10, 2011

I got steel rings on my Jeep now, they look fine and work great and take rock bashing well, I was just thinkin bout addin some bling to the buggy project im startin by polishing the aluminum rings, like the ol sayin go's " chrome dont get ya home, but it does get ya laid!" :afro: