Sourcing grill material besides expanded metal...

[la malta]

Hey everyone,

For my future builds I'm trying to source some grill material besides the industrial look of the "diamond" expanded metal I have no problem finding everywhere. I'm trying to source sheets (4x8s, 4x12s) of a hex pattern specifically but just a simple hole pattern is fine too. I'd like to cut, form and paint them myself.

So far www.mcnichols.com seems to be the best site I've come across. I'm waiting on a quote but I'm afraid they're going to bang me on shipping.

Does anyone know other sources or websites I should check?

[Bas Gooiker]

If you could tell us your location it's easyer to help you.

http://www.speakergrills.co.uk is very good. The website is quite poor tbh. But if you mail him your ideas he can do almost anything. Even shaped foam for hifi cabs.

[Grant Bunter]

I googled "Perforated metal sheet USA" and came up with a bunch of places, but don't know where you live.
Some of them seemed to have the pattern you prefer.
So try that and see if there is some other options near enough to you.

Don't lose sight of the fact that it's not just how it looks, but also the open area percentage.
General consensus says that the minimum open area percentage for speaker cabs is 60% or higher...

[la malta]

Oh yes, I'm in Buffalo NY, USA.

Yea I've been checking out a few websites but was thinking somebody here would have had prior experience with this situation. Locally, I have a Metal Supermarkets which I've been using their expanded metal, but their website sucks. I'm going to call them to see if they have other designs but I don't suspect as much.

As for the open area the hex pattern on the mcnichols site is 80%.

[Grant Bunter]

^ All good

If it's anything like where I am, you have to order it regardless of pattern.
With any luck wherever you go to order it will have a sample at least to look at.

It's not just freight that may make you go "ouch" lol

Generally, pricing I have found is:
Cheapest: expanded aluminium
Next: Flattened expanded aluminium
Dearest: Perforated steel (being twice as expensive as expanded aluminium).

All the best...

[shawn_g]

I've had good luck with "Reliable Hardware". I ordered these grills for my OmniTop build and have been really happy with them:

http://www.reliablehardware.com/customs ... gered.aspx

[la malta]

It looks great but not cost effective. I can cut, paint and form my own grills. I'm just looking for a place to buy the sheet in a design other than the expanded diamond.

[Bruce Weldy]

It looks great but not cost effective. I can cut, paint and form my own grills. I'm just looking for a place to buy the sheet in a design other than the expanded diamond.

By the time you figure shipping on something that big (4x8), it's probably just as cheap or cheaper to buy it already cut to size. That ships much cheaper.

Now, if you can find a supplier close enough to drive to, you might be able to make it work.

[Harley]

Oh yes, I'm in Buffalo NY, USA.
.

You should put that on your profile so it automatically comes up. Some of us have poor memories.

[wounded horse]

You should contact local fabricating companies who use it rather than small firms reselling. I made more progress that way. I went round a local engineering and fabricating place, chose from a nice selection and drove away with enough for 2 otop fronts.