Thin Metal Rods for Grills

sdclc126 · 9th January 2008, 11:32 PM

Hi,

I searched but to no avail. I would like to know of USA sources for very thin metal rods that could be used to make decorative speaker grills, the kind with just the widely spaced vertical bars. Hopefully in a gold or copper finish, but I'll take what I can get.

Thanks.

sdclc126 · 10th January 2008, 12:05 AM

Addendum -

I found basic rods at Home Depot but I'd like to find ones that already have a nice finish and can just be cut to length.

Also, if anyone has made grilles this way I would love to see your designs.

Thanks again.

Aengus · 10th January 2008, 12:11 AM

It is not pre-finished, but brazing rod (from welding suppliers) is brass, polishes up nicely, and may well be cheaper than hardware stores.

Just a suggestion.

Regards.

Aengus

Ron E · 10th January 2008, 12:13 AM

My 0.02

I think the appearance of this type of grille would be very sensitive to how parallel and straight you can make the rods, so make sure you pay attention to that. Some companies use stretched strings or threads to accomplish the same effect.

Peter M. · 10th January 2008, 12:22 AM

Hi,

I plan to make grilles the same way as you. Of stainless steel. I guess brass works fine too.

It`s easy to give them a nice finish. Put rod in the drill and wrap a cloth with your favorite metal polishing compound around it, and let it spin.

R-Carpenter · 10th January 2008, 01:26 AM

http://www.mcmaster.com/

y8s · 10th January 2008, 02:26 AM

a hobby shop / craft store my have small sized rods and tubing in aluminum, brass, and steel...

sdclc126 · 10th January 2008, 02:53 AM

Aengus - Great idea - hadn't thought of that.

Peter M. - great polishing technique - I'll try it with the rods I got at HD. Have you already gotten your stainless steel rods? Where did/will you get them.

R-Carpenter - Thanks! McMaster has a zillion choices.

y8s - Another excellent idea that I hadn't considered - I've been to both types of stores so I don't know why it hadn't occurred to me - I'll pay a visit.

BTW I did find some nice ones at Micro-Mark - a hobby supplier, but I think there are probably better prices out there.

Thanks everybody - this is plenty to go on.

MadMutt · 10th January 2008, 03:31 AM

push bike or motor bike spokes ?

sdclc126 · 10th January 2008, 01:32 PM

Possibility too - available at bike shops - but I have a feeling they're gonna be pricey and probably too thick for what I'm looking for.

9th January 2008, 11:32 PM	#1
sdclc126 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Diego, CA	Thin Metal Rods for Grills Hi, I searched but to no avail. I would like to know of USA sources for very thin metal rods that could be used to make decorative speaker grills, the kind with just the widely spaced vertical bars. Hopefully in a gold or copper finish, but I'll take what I can get. Thanks. __________________ Soft Dome

10th January 2008, 12:05 AM	#2
sdclc126 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Diego, CA	Addendum - I found basic rods at Home Depot but I'd like to find ones that already have a nice finish and can just be cut to length. Also, if anyone has made grilles this way I would love to see your designs. Thanks again. __________________ Soft Dome

10th January 2008, 12:13 AM	#4
Ron E diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: USA, MN	My 0.02 I think the appearance of this type of grille would be very sensitive to how parallel and straight you can make the rods, so make sure you pay attention to that. Some companies use stretched strings or threads to accomplish the same effect. __________________ Our species needs, and deserves, a citizenry with minds wide awake and a basic understanding of how the world works. --Carl Sagan Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge. --Carl Sagan

10th January 2008, 12:22 AM	#5
Peter M. diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Østfold	Hi, I plan to make grilles the same way as you. Of stainless steel. I guess brass works fine too. It`s easy to give them a nice finish. Put rod in the drill and wrap a cloth with your favorite metal polishing compound around it, and let it spin. __________________ Note to myself: Never again use fingers to check if there still is voltage left in a capacitor...

10th January 2008, 02:53 AM	#8
sdclc126 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Diego, CA	Aengus - Great idea - hadn't thought of that. Peter M. - great polishing technique - I'll try it with the rods I got at HD. Have you already gotten your stainless steel rods? Where did/will you get them. R-Carpenter - Thanks! McMaster has a zillion choices. y8s - Another excellent idea that I hadn't considered - I've been to both types of stores so I don't know why it hadn't occurred to me - I'll pay a visit. BTW I did find some nice ones at Micro-Mark - a hobby supplier, but I think there are probably better prices out there. Thanks everybody - this is plenty to go on. __________________ Soft Dome


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10th January 2008, 12:11 AM	#3
Aengus diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Victoria, BC	It is not pre-finished, but brazing rod (from welding suppliers) is brass, polishes up nicely, and may well be cheaper than hardware stores. Just a suggestion. Regards. Aengus

10th January 2008, 01:26 AM	#6
R-Carpenter diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brooklyn Navy Yard	http://www.mcmaster.com/

10th January 2008, 02:26 AM	#7
y8s diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2006	a hobby shop / craft store my have small sized rods and tubing in aluminum, brass, and steel...

10th January 2008, 03:31 AM	#9
MadMutt diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2006	push bike or motor bike spokes ?

10th January 2008, 01:32 PM	#10
sdclc126 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Diego, CA	Possibility too - available at bike shops - but I have a feeling they're gonna be pricey and probably too thick for what I'm looking for. __________________ Soft Dome

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