To bead a pipe near the end, you would use what type of rotary machine?

• A. Small drill press
• B. Belt sander
• C. Lathe
• D. Deep throated rotary machine

Answer: (D)

Beading a pipe close to the end requires a rotary machine with enough throat depth and reach to access the end of the stock while the bead is formed. A deep-throated rotary machine provides the clearance behind the work and a stable setup so the beading roller can engage around the pipe’s circumference right at the end without hitting the machine or the workholding. The other machines aren’t suited to this task: a small drill press is built for drilling, not forming; a belt sander is for material removal and smoothing; a lathe can turn and may form features, but it lacks the necessary access and clearance to bead right at the end of a pipe. So, the deep-throated rotary machine is the right tool for this operation.