what do yall use for backing? i went to home depot and lowes lookin for some kinda expanded metal any help would be appreciated thanks dave
Plowboy had close to $100 worth on the lander.....PM him, but he probably won't get back to you til Morning....
The stuff you are looking for is perforated steel. Try McMaster-Carr and do a search on perforated steel they have many styles, hole sizes and materials to choose from. Just call, place order and it will be on a truck to you in a few days. They stock almost everything imaginable and usually overnight delivery. Check them out: McMaster-Carr Hope this helps!
also if you go to pepboys or the 'zone or the like,in the import section they have perferated metal i believe in flat black an some other colors that tuners stick behind their grills.a few friends of mine have used it for similar grillwork. creepy
if you can find that metal that has all the holes drilled in it it works best,the holes are a tad bit smaller than the knobs screws are witch works to your benifit once every thimg is laid out and drilled it makes it easyer to do finall assembly.on my daughters bonnivile we use the smalest expanded metal we could find for a diferant look on the back drop but was harder to get every thing lind up! picks of both my wifes car and my daughters car can be seen on my intro page!
The Meca of expanded metals is mcnichols.com That's all they do and will make custom if you want to pay
This is the route I wanted to go. I didn't want knobs though, I wanted pulls. I tried to find simple chrome 6"-8" length pulls, but really couldn't. What I did find was so expensive that 30-50 pulls would have killed my wallet. I still plan to lay in the expanded metal, then mount a shaved down front Opel GT bumper which I already have in my garage. It will basically be a "floating-grille" style instead of the knobs/pulls. The knob idea is so much more simple to build for me and my resources, I wish I'd be more happy with a set-up like that. Maybe I should rethink it, again.
I put mine (126 of 'em) in the stock '55 Buick grill. This winter it's all coming apart and I'll paint the grille flat black, so the drawer pulls will "float".
I used the perferated metal also.Used 4" drawer pull handles from Orchard Supply,about $4 apiece.Then I mounted 1959 Bonneville fender spears on top of them to make them floating.I also tapped the tips to mount bullets.Total cost of grill $50!!!!Goes to show,don't have to spend alot of money,just give yourself some time to for you mind to work??Tried to upload pictures but can't.You can see on my web site........Williesplace.com
Just a thought about a source of pulls/knobs. They have gotten a bit costly for some styles at the store. Maybe you could find some used ones still in good condition at a flea market, junk store, rummage sales - usually they practically give them away after the kitchen remodel. Also, have you considered using more than one type, some that would work together for an interesting design? Also, maybe they could be mounted on some flat bars for a simple horizontal layout, sort of like a 59 Buick. Have never built one, but have seen some pretty nifty home made grilles.
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