Louvres

[breezer]

I'm wanting to put some louvres in my mini bonnet - how would I go about doing such a thing - is there a specific tool - or is it a case of cutting & forming the shape with a dolly or similar?

 

[madkayaker]

are they not a bolt on panel?

 

[breezer]

nope.

Taking the mini bonnet out of the equation - how would I put louvres in thin sheet metal?

 

[madkayaker]

i would guess some kind of punch and a press. Sam would probability be best he has just made some dies for an Ali seat

 

[Paul.]

Normally done in a press, for louvres close to the edge of the sheet you can get a fly press tool, like this But you're limited by the depth of the press throat,
similar tooling can be used in a brake press, or a turret punch such as pierceall or Amada, there are tools available for Trumph nibblers as well, non of this kit will be found in home workshops though.
You might also like to have a look at this PDF the tool is on page 6, you'll need the press on the first page to use it,

 

[Hitch]

We do louvres in a turret punch, its limited to what can go in there though, flat sheet no problems.

Could you get some put in flat sheet, then cut a section out of the bonnet, and weld in the louvred section...?

 

[rtbcomp]

....Could you get some put in flat sheet, then cut a section out of the bonnet, and weld in the louvred section...?

If you're going to do that try to find some panels from a scrap dealer with louvres already in.

 

[Arsonista]

All the louvre tools in sheetmetal shops are for flat sheet. I've never pressed one into a curved bonnet, but I would think the tool would need to follow the curve of the metal.

 

[Sam]

I have a louvre attachment for my pullmax could make a section up for you or you can buy a 9" x 6" aluminium louvre panel from the likes of a builders merchant most will sell the plastic ones but they are or were available in alloy.

 

[breezer]

Cheers fellas.

Bonnet is steel so to weld one in it would need to be steel.

Sam thanks for the offer, I'll have a think about that. Of course welding a panel into the (thin) mini bonnet would be a challenge of its own! Might try and get hold of a second bonnet to use that way if I mess it up I still have the proper bonnet.

link to one on ebay...(not where I got the idea from)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/mini-bonnet-m...14&_trkparms=72:1683|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

As you can see these have been put INTO the bonnet rather than a welded panel.

Jim

 

[paul33]

I have a tool to make louvres it works well in alloy or 1.5 mm steel. we have tried using it on bonnets but because they are usally not flat it is a difficult job to avoid distorting the bonnet. we have had better results with small flat panels with a joggled edge which can be welded in. I could punch some for you if you like for the postage and a BEER!!!!

look in my albums to see what they look like in alloy

 

[breezer]

Okay cheers paul, will bear that in mind gonna try and pick up a 2nd bonnet to do these on.

What size is that rule in the pic above? Or what size are the louvres?

they look good btw!

 

[paul33]

Yep sorry the rule not very clear. over all width 250mm the length of the long one (6 louvres) is 280mm - each louvre is 40mm deep so good panel lengths are 280mm, 240mm,200mm, 160mm, 120mm, or if you want just one lonely louvre 80mm!!!! hope this helps Cheers

 

[Ian24v]

i'd just but that one mate, its not too dear really.

i've offen considdered makeing a louve tool but never got round to it,