Hey guys, I'm new here. I'm a motorcycle guy, but there's enough overlap in our scenes that I finally decided to make an account here, since I've ended up on the board so many times on google searches. I'm currently trying to do a custom rectifier cover on one of my bikes, and I need a set of 1.75" (give or take) louvers on a small panel. I've been in touch with a few of the big louver guys I can find on google, but so far nobody seems to do under 3". Anyone here have any interest in helping me out, or know of the right direction you can point me? Thanks much. You can email me at tshundler(at)gmail(dot)com Tim
^ This or find something...like an old microwave...that has louvers. Fab your cover from that or weld them into the cover you want to use. This is one I plan to use for a future project:
Aluminum / stainless steel louvered plates for Boating Check out the different websites after typing in “stainless steel louvered vent plates,” on your Google Search parameters. Hello, Several years ago, I just bought a factory replacement louvered engine vent plate(s) for the original ones that lasted from 2012 to 2016. Then as the sun/wind/rain/salt air affects all things on a sailboat, it started to corrode, despite the fact that it was made of a hard plastic composite. New, it was as hard as rock and took a wax coating well. Over the years, a rubbing compound was used first and then a Colonite Carnuba wax lasted the longest. By since it was exposed to all outside weather elements, it started its fade over the resulting years. One day, I was on that side of the cockpit and leaned over the back to get at one of the rudder mechanisms I had just replaced. My right knee happened to bump the white composite louver screen. It cracked and left a hole in it. So, after replacing the original ones that broke, I ordered a new set and installed them in place of the broken ones. That new unit(s) lasted almost two years and again, I bumped it and again, the newer one cracked. So, instead of buying another set of louvered composite panels, I searched for aluminum or stainless steel units. I went to several marine/boating equipment stores and they had several, but not the right size or close to the right size. So, the internet search provided plenty of choices and I found one that covered the vent holes and the louvered plate was made of stainless steel. Now, it would not break with the slightest of touches or bumps. Jnaki I have suggested to the dealer and manufacturer of our model of sailboat. They both thought it was a great idea of using a stainless steel unit in the place of composite plastic units that eventually get brittle and break. The newer sailboat models in the larger size are starting to use stainless steel vent covers, so that is a step in the right direction. YRMV
I wanted to mount my Trans cooler in the bottom air deflector panel in my Grill Shell. If you notice, there are ribs in the panel 3" apart. That meant standard 3" louvers would get into the ribs. I couldn't have that. I found an old Kitchen Range with a louvered back panel, and there were some 2" ones. Some of them now live in between the ribs in the air dam. Seemed like the normal thing to do for me.
i had a cushman 3 wheeler that was missing the engine side panels under the seat and i wanted small louvers too. I just went to my scrap pile and found some from an a.c window unit but if i remember correctly i went with the ones from an old furnace instead. the a.c was just a hair too long but the furnace one made a flat border i could run screws thru nicely and i could center the louver where it looked more original or at least made it look like it belonged on it. i think some chest freezers have a small louver panel on them too that might work.
Small louvres are also used in electrical IP enclosures, like this: Louvre Vent 100H x 75W Grey Cheers, Harv
I needed some small louvers. I had dies for large louvers. I just used the large female die and fabbed a smaller male die that fit inside the larger female die. You may be able to get somebody to do that easily.
Tuck does indeed offer louvers & dies ~ Louvers run $4 a hole plus $50 an hour layout time, he offers 3/4 inch, 2 inch & 3 inch. He also offers the complete die to do them yourself but they ain't cheap, best bet is to send him the panel and let him punch them for you, contact information below. HRP http://www.tuckindustries.com
He also sells pre punched panels for a reasonable price. See a lot of the bike guys just buy those and graft them into the project https://tuckindustries.com/collections/u-weld-louver-strips $40
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