Eastwood recently hosted its first-ever bead rolling training class led by master fabricator Jamey Jordan on October 12-13. This hands-on class, held at Eastwood’s Pottstown, PA headquarters, was designed to give participants a comprehensive introduction to bead rolling. With each person working on their own provided equipment, they progressed through fundamental techniques to completing advanced custom projects.
“I’m big on everyone working on their own machine,” Jamey says, explaining the class was limited to just five students. “They aren’t going to learn nearly as much by just watching me do it. They need to use their own hands for these skills to really click.”
Students began the first morning with an overview of the bead roller, including its functions, adjustable collars, and pressure control. Jamey personally evaluated each student’s skill level during bead rolling exercises and provided individualized guidance. The afternoon session focused on layout techniques using tools from Eastwood’s new Jamey Jordan Signature Series of co-developed fabrication products. Students also delved into the world of bead rolling art, exploring different styles and mediums, before finishing their panels.
Two Full Days
Day 2 kicked off with a review of the first day’s projects, followed by a demonstration on the application of patinas to metal surfaces. Jamey introduced advanced bead rolling techniques using specialized roll sets. These included “Spoiler” and “Hem” rolls, which allow for rounding and folding metal edges.
Jamey then introduced students to bomber seat fabrication, where they could apply their bead rolling technique to a real-world project. He discussed the different styles and how to make a custom seat using bead rolling, layout, and rivet techniques. This intensive session put participants’ skills to work, further enhancing their understanding of metal shaping and seat design.
In the afternoon, students explored the use of dimple dies, hydraulic presses, and other metalworking tools to complete their bomber seats. The class covered layout, cutting, drilling, and bending techniques, enabling participants to take their skills to the next level.
By the end of the class, each student had gained invaluable hands-on experience. Everyone completed custom bead rolled panels and a functional bomber seat, all under the expert instruction of Jamey Jordan.
Future classes are in the works now and details will be available at https://www.eastwood.com/jameyjordan. You can also check out our conversation with Jamey in the video below, where he talks about the new product line.