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Customs Knob Grilles, fasten knobs to what?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by ken bogren, Jun 9, 2020.

  1. ken bogren
    Joined: Jul 6, 2010
    Posts: 1,056

    ken bogren
    Member

    Looking at the custom threads I'm wondering what builders fastened all those cabinet knobs to in their custom grilles.

    Some kind of wire mesh or expanded metal ?
     
  2. Stan Back
    Joined: Mar 9, 2007
    Posts: 2,179

    Stan Back
    Member
    from California

    Usually expanded metal. They seem to always look better if there'a a very slight horizontal bend in it.
     
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  3. Usually perforated metal. Expanded metal isn't flat unless it's been rolled after expanding. You can also get perforated metal in wider ranges of different materials, patterns and perforation sizes.
     
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  4. jimmy six
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 14,802

    jimmy six
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Some of the best ones to me used chrome drawer handles mounted vertical and not knobs. The perforated metal was painted flat black. I remember one 57 Chevrolet in the early 60’s that after he mounted the drawer puller style handles cut away most of the metal in between and his seemed to “float” between the hood chrome and bumper.
     
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  5. ken bogren
    Joined: Jul 6, 2010
    Posts: 1,056

    ken bogren
    Member

    Thanks guys. I guess I didn't realize perforated metal came in different perf sizes. I've only seen smaller openings and thought that might restrict airflow to the radiator too much.
     
  6. Most suppliers will give a 'open area' percentage for a given type. It can be as low as 20%, as high as 75% depending on the hole size and pattern. 40 to 60% is typical...
     
  7. stanlow69
    Joined: Feb 21, 2010
    Posts: 7,348

    stanlow69
    Member Emeritus

  8. And remember....they were held on by a screw to a drawer....not to hard to have them held on by a screw on something else...........
     
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  9. ken bogren
    Joined: Jul 6, 2010
    Posts: 1,056

    ken bogren
    Member

    Stan;ow69, tanks for the photos, pretty helpful. That looks like it took 80 -90 knobs, if I counted right. Is there a spec for that backing metal grid?
     
  10. Rusty O'Toole
    Joined: Sep 17, 2006
    Posts: 9,657

    Rusty O'Toole
    Member

    Perforated metal or expanded metal, recessed into the grille opening a few inches, mounted to small angle iron vertical supports all painted flat black. Drawer pulls fastened with screws through the holes in the metal.
     
  11. ken bogren
    Joined: Jul 6, 2010
    Posts: 1,056

    ken bogren
    Member

    Thanks guys. I think I found a source for flat expanded metal that would give me a grid of about 2-3/8 x 2-1/2 center to center of 1-1/2" knobs.
     
  12. J53
    Joined: Aug 8, 2005
    Posts: 238

    J53
    Member
    from WI

    Check out bankerwire.com

    Much nicer looking stuff than standard expanded steel although pricy. I have a couple doors that I salvaged from a large computer server cabinet that I might use for mine. Thousands of round 1/4” holes


    Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
     
  13. Cincinnati Slim
    Joined: Jun 26, 2007
    Posts: 368

    Cincinnati Slim
    Member
    from Cincy, OH

    [​IMG]
    I’ve always used ‘58 Ford grilles. Nice pattern and stiffer than expanded metal.
    I use to pick them up for $20 a piece...gotten pricer the past few years.


    Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
     
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  14. jimmy six
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 14,802

    jimmy six
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    69 knobs. ..just dreamin" here.:rolleyes:
     

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