Frenched aerial

[spider]

  Hi All,
             I was wondering if anyone can tell me how frenched aerials is done.
Cheers Spider

[craiga]

Spider,

Alex will tell you exactly, but guys I knew in the 80's used a length of new exhaust pipe and welded it onto the back of a hole drilled in the body. This was VERY easy and looked great when finished.

Cheers,

Craig.

[gree]

don't forget to whack a drain hole in the bottom though!

[customFC]

Hi Spider
What I did, was take an aerial to the local metal supply store and get a section of round pipe that fits the base. (The base must slide into the pipe. Don't get it too big though) then make up the mounting plate with the correct holes for the aerial, making sure there is also a drainage hole as Gree suggests, and weld it to the end of the pipe. Now comes the artistic part. Determine where the aerial will be mounted....guard, rear 1/4, at base of front screen etc. I placed mine in the tops of the guard. To get a rough idea of the size of the hole, I placed some paper over it to give me a template. I transfered this shape to the location on the guard and started cutting. When the pipe goes into the hole, it is now time to shape it. Keep filing away at the top and bottom of the hole till the shape allows you to get the pipe vertical. Be conservative and cut only as much as necessary. I left the pipe oversize to allow me to manouver it more easily. Make sure the pipe is vertical (though in some cases, you could have the aerial at different angles for something a bit different) resulting in my case, in a hole that is egg shaped in the curve of the guard. I then determined the depth of the frenching, making sure the base of the aerial can't be seen. Holding the pipe in the hole and at the right depth, making sure it is vertical, I then scribed around the pipe and in turn cut it off. I then welded this into the hole. In my case I wanted it flush, but I have seen them with beaded edges, even tear drop or flamed edges. I hope you can understand what I have tried to describe. If you have any more questions or need something explained, contact me at custom@idx.com.au
Regards
Alex

[HARKO]

Spider ,Although similar to CustomFCs plan this is a little different.
I first determined the size of the frenching that would suit ,then found some pipe - thickness isnt too much of a drama as you will see.
I then picked a hole saw that fits snug over the pipe ,placed the drill in position on the body and drilled as close to vertical as possible.
place a base into your pipe with drainage then push the pipe through the hole to desired height .
Mark around the pipe the contour of the body keeping an eye on straightness of aerial(I found attatching the aerial to the pipe and eyeing it up is good enough).
Trim the pipe to shape and place back in posi slightly protruding out of the body then weld it (keep eyes on vertical lines
The excess can then be ground off or worked into a lip, border, flames etc etc
All in all pretty darn simple for a great effect.
PS  Is this the trial run for the Buick ?

(Best photo I had ) shows frenched aerial between roof and tray ,I used an electric commodore one

[spider]

 :)Hi Everyone,
                      Thanks for all your advice. No harko its for the missus fe. That way i can practice before i do the buick, and my ute. Alex and yourself also said you can  ground off or work it into a lip, border, teardrop, flames etc etc. Does that mean you cut a flame out of metal to go around it? As i would like to do the flame, as the car is going to have ghost flames and however you do the flame around the aerial would be great. Would you mmind explaining it more for me on how you do the effects.
Thanks again fellas for your help , i am hanging to start on it.
Cheers Spider

[HARKO]

Spider ,Ive never seen a flame around the aerial but I do know that the lip is just moulded from the weld .
Maybe Customfc can explain what he has seen .
Just another comment  - I used 2inch pipe and it seems too small for me now its done  

[customFC]

Hey guys.
I have seen guys place a bead around the hole and shape it into a teardrop shape. I also saw a guy do similar, and shaped it into a flame lick. My guess is they use some round stock and grind part of it flat, shape it to the design and weld, fill and smooth. Give it a go.
There was a japcrap car at the summernats that had the entire front flamed in a solid raised design. Looked interesting as he had painted the car in white with a pearl overlay and the flames caught the pearl in the sun. My guess is that he applied a thick sticker and sprayed over it. An interesting trick to keep in mind.
Regards
Alex