Does a simple Wire Ring Roller that actually works well exist?!
by Joe Diemer
(Portland, Oregon)
Note the sweet non-grooved open-ended rolls and the perpendicular guide plate.
Hello,
This might be a shot in the dark, but here it goes:
I'm looking for manual wire ring rolling equipment. We make custom circular bird cages out of straight lengths of stainless steel wire. No two cages are the same, so quite a bit of hand labor goes into the making of these.Various gauges of wire are used: .045" - .250". The diameter of rings and curved shapes vary, and many pieces only need a slight curve to them, so the ring roller will have to be easily adjustable. A way to note the settings and be able to return to them for repeatability is also necessary.
Our search has only brought up 3 types of rollers, which don't work:
1. The chinsy Harbor Freight one-size-fits-all "planetary ring roller". Shoddy bearings etc do not give good repeatability. Also, there are no wire guides, so the result is a wobbly ring.
2. Sheet metal slip rolls with wire grooves. Removal of the top roller for every ring is time consuming. Something open--ended is needed. again, grooved slip rolls alone do not provide very good guidance of the wire.
3. Automated equipment. Much of our business is generated through demos at exotic bird shows and art fairs, so manually operated equipment would be preferred for giving it the "artisan" flavor. I realize that automated equipment is mostly what is now available. If we do go automatic, we still need the ability to stop the rolls when needed for 1/2 circles etc.
If you have any equipment or leads to other suppliers that may work for us please contact us!
Thanks,
Joe Diemer
Karbkid@yahoo.com
Here is a picture of what would be perfect if it was easily stoppable for partial rings (and wasn't $12K!)
