Wiki Home \ Billet grille (or whatever)
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After the honeycomb and center bar was removed, I heated the remaining plastic with a heat gun to form a "soft edge" for the new insert. Don't particulary like the hard edge that is left when the entire opening is cut out.
Picked up 9 pieces of aluminum flat stock, 1/8" x 1" x 3'. Using the vise and a rubber mallet I created a "master" curve that matched the grille shell.
Then I created 8 more that matched the curve of the master. Put all 9 in the vise and used a grinder with 40 grit disc to make them all match. Each was individually sanded with 100 grit paper to give a cleaner edge.
The ribs were then cut to proper length, spaced (staggered) front to back to allow fror the natural lean of the grill shell, then drilled for the threaded rod and spacers.
The end rods and middle rod fit into holes in the grille shell and were secured during final assembly. The other 2 simply hold the spacers. Note billet insert is recessed about 1/8" into grille shell.
Grille installed!
About $4 per piece (9 pieces), about $2 for the threaded rod and maybe $3 for the plastic water pipe that was cut for the spacers. The grille shell took a few days to get right. The insert took about 4 hours start to finish.
Guess I should have done that. Oh well, wasn't sure how much interest there would be.
Billet grille (or whatever)
Last Updated: Feb 24, 2015View Photos
Don't know if this will help anyone or not but since the digital camera was around I figured it can't hurt. Wanted to do something a little different with the front end and did not like the available options for a grille insert so I made my own. I also created a billet insert for the lower valance using the same technique.
After the honeycomb and center bar was removed, I heated the remaining plastic with a heat gun to form a "soft edge" for the new insert. Don't particulary like the hard edge that is left when the entire opening is cut out.
Picked up 9 pieces of aluminum flat stock, 1/8" x 1" x 3'. Using the vise and a rubber mallet I created a "master" curve that matched the grille shell.
Then I created 8 more that matched the curve of the master. Put all 9 in the vise and used a grinder with 40 grit disc to make them all match. Each was individually sanded with 100 grit paper to give a cleaner edge.
The ribs were then cut to proper length, spaced (staggered) front to back to allow fror the natural lean of the grill shell, then drilled for the threaded rod and spacers.
The end rods and middle rod fit into holes in the grille shell and were secured during final assembly. The other 2 simply hold the spacers. Note billet insert is recessed about 1/8" into grille shell.
Grille installed!
Credits
Created By: immortal1 (linn)
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jmzcustomz (jeff)
+1y
I like!!! Might look real kool if you could get a nice chrome new mazda emblem and insert it into the grill. Not on the out side but actually carefully trace and then counter sink it into it about 1/8" to 1/4" Just so it looked a bit factory and smooth. Just a thought and different twist then the norm.
elbine69
+1y
I like it. How much did you end up spending for the materials and about how long did it take to make?
notkwik (john)
+1y
i dig it
definatly cool to see people doing things outta the norm
definatly cool to see people doing things outta the norm
mr. b22
+1y
now thats some mazda style-E for ya, its why i love my B, there isnt novel after novel of parts catalogs like s10's, you have to think up your own shit.
keep thinkin outside the box, nice mini!!
keep thinkin outside the box, nice mini!!
hex0rz
+1y
NICE! Immortal!
You oughtta make this in the techie forum!!!!
You oughtta make this in the techie forum!!!!
bigmike
+1y
That's pretty slick.
Mike
Mike
immortal1 (linn)
+1y
About $4 per piece (9 pieces), about $2 for the threaded rod and maybe $3 for the plastic water pipe that was cut for the spacers. The grille shell took a few days to get right. The insert took about 4 hours start to finish.
immortal1 (linn)
+1y
Guess I should have done that. Oh well, wasn't sure how much interest there would be.
immortal1 (linn)
+1y
Thanks for all the great comments everyone!!!!
mazdamn
+1y
mass production?
Try a phantom, and you will DEFINATELY get a purchase by me.
I paid a friend in the DFW to get that damn phantom off craigslist, and we never heard back from the ass with the grille.
My truck, entirely, will revolve around the phantom.
Try a phantom, and you will DEFINATELY get a purchase by me.
I paid a friend in the DFW to get that damn phantom off craigslist, and we never heard back from the ass with the grille.
My truck, entirely, will revolve around the phantom.
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