I have decided to make myself a new grille, made from a series of slats held together with spacers and threaded rod, a bit like John Bonnett's effort here:

Trouble is, I can't find the material I want for the slats - the ali strip that B&Q sells is too thin and a bit too sharp on the edge. Also, the unsupported edges are likely to flap at speed.

The ideal material I have in mind would be ali around 4 - 5mm thick, with rounded edges - a bit like that plastic conduit you can get (but I don't want plastic, unless I can help it). I don't mind if it's hollow.

I could copy John's slat-folding technique, but I was hoping to be lazy...
...can anyone suggest a source?

cheers,
David

Aluminium, Stainless, Unobtanium, the world is your oyster.

Paul G

I don't like oysters!

Does that mean that you know of a suitable source, Paul? (he says, hopefully)

I'm thinking.

You start doing that, and people will start to expect it on a regular basis!

Old washing machine drum looks great!
(sorry i couldnt find a pic)

If you could drill through at the right angle, you could use this, sloping down so as to present the curve to the airflow (if that makes sense):

http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/c-113-aluminium-sections.aspx
Rescued attachment ali section.jpg

A kind person on here made me this...........

[Edited on 3/3/07 by Jon Ison]
Rescued attachment isonblade2.JPG

One thing to remember is that ally will dull very quickly unless it is anodized so stainless might be a better option.

I got a chrome trivet (For putting hot pans on to protect kitchen work surfaces) from Woolworth's. It is 19.5"x9.5" and comprises 7 horizontal 5/16" round bars, with 2 vertical 3/8" round bars. I will cut it down to suit.
Cost?....£4. How locost is that?

hi David,

If you are after plastic try EMA model supplies. As far as i know they have a website.

GAZ

what about s/s safe edge i will see if i have some in work and ppost a picture for you we use it to edge mesh panels for handrail
its u shaped the legs are 30 mm long
got a radius and about 8 mm wide
come in 2.5 m lenghs
cheers
colin

[Edited on 3/3/07 by cjtheman]

My trouble is that I have a head-full of ideas, but no idea where to find the solutions!

For example, I fancy a grille made of hex cells, and I've even seen suspended ceiling tiles made of the right material, but I have no idea where to find one tile!

Never mind - the search continues...


David

A question - I have some stainless wire (2.5mm) so I could make a boring wire grille - but I have no idea how to fix the intersections. If I silver-solder it'll show. My stainless MIG welding isn't that delicate. Spot-welding would probably flatten the intersections somewhat.

Any bright ideas?

You are getting into the stainless mesh world now - why not just get the Richbrook woven mesh?


Rear Grill & Lights

[Edited on 4-3-07 by RazMan]

I have a bit of that, 25mm square holes, ready made.


Paul G

quote:

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Originally posted by 907
I have a bit of that, 25mm square holes, ready made.

---

No David.

Verticals on one side, horizontals the other. Non woven. Welded.

Paul G

what is the size of the grill going to be i will see if i got any s/s woven mesh in work for you
cheers
colin

The hole is 45cm x 25cm, approx. at the widest/highest bits.

cheers,
David

ok mate i will se what i can do
cheers
colin

Cheers!

(and to everyone else who's offered/helped so far - many thanks, I still haven't made my mind up, so I might still get in touch!)

David

hi dave i have got an off cut that will be big enough to do the job for you its 28 cm x 78 cm
let me know if you want it
cheers
colin
Rescued attachment Image063.jpg

quote:

---

Originally posted by cjtheman
hi dave i have got an off cut that will be big enough to do the job for you its 28 cm x 78 cm
let me know if you want it
cheers
colin

---

http://www.warehouseequipment.co.uk/trucks_trolleys/

the above has always been quite popular as a source of material. With the added advantage of it always being cheap and locally available at any time.

(the thought had crossed my mind!)

David, keep it simple. I used some 8mm stainless tube I found at work, glued into nosecone and some basic mesh behind it (see below)


Well I like it anyway

car in France

[Edited on 7/3/07 by Marcus]

Thanks to Colin (cjtheman) I have now got some stainless mesh in the car's nosecone - and it did seem to make a little bit of difference when I went out for a run yesterday. Running temps were up to 5 degrees lower; I didn't get to try it in traffic - I try to avoid those situations!

It's not 100% straight yet, and I want to mount it in a stainless surround, but I think it looks fine so far (but it doesn't photograph well - I was getting jazzy moire patterns with the radiator behind!).

Anyway - many thanks to Colin!

David
Rescued attachment grille.JPG