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early 1926 roadster Side Curtain Rod grommet

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 9:58 am
by BRADLOWERY
I am restoring a 26 runabout, Need source for these Zinc grommets. anyone have anything?

Re: early 1926 roadster Side Curtain Rod grommet

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 10:04 am
by dobro1956
As far as I know no one makes them They are almost impossible to remove and re use. They are very brittle from age

Re: early 1926 roadster Side Curtain Rod grommet

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 7:28 pm
by TMiller6
I was missing one and made a replacement from a brass washer and a piece of brass telescope tube from my local hardware. I cut the tube off on an angle and silver soldered the washer onto the mitered end. Once it was painted body color, it wasn’t noticeable.

The telescope tubes come in many diameters so the OD of one fits into the iD of the next size. The tubes are also in hobby shops.

Re: early 1926 roadster Side Curtain Rod grommet

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 10:08 am
by Mikey1968
I need one too!

Re: early 1926 roadster Side Curtain Rod grommet

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 9:48 pm
by KeithG
I need one also. I used to find a rusty door that was no longer useful and gently pry the grommet out, but alas, vendors don't even bother to bring those doors to swap meets anymore. I wonder if any of these grommets went to the scrappers on rusty doors that no one bid on but the scrappers at the Model T Haven auction last week?
Keith

Re: early 1926 roadster Side Curtain Rod grommet

Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2021 12:03 am
by TFan
Would these possibly work the #4 14mm id looks to be about right for a 1/2'' rod if I recall correctly that is what my rods measure without going out to the garage. I don't have the grommets on my 26 roadster so I don't know for sure what they look like. Jim

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133753342432?_ ... 0290.m3507

Re: early 1926 roadster Side Curtain Rod grommet

Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2021 1:21 pm
by DanTreace
Those grommets may work, might have to lock them in with a smear of JB Weld.

Here are the dimensions of that side curtain rod grommet, #45122X. They have an offset angle, so it fits flush to the top ledge of the doors which are angled. A straight sided grommet would need to be re-shaped or anchored in place with adhesive under the rim, after bumping it to an angle so it remains flush, hopefully the new grommet made of alum or some soft metal to reshape to fit.

Finding originals is tough, and most times the formed zinc part is distorted from years of poking the curtain rod in place.

Re: early 1926 roadster Side Curtain Rod grommet

Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2021 3:24 pm
by Chuck Regan
Dan - thanks for sharing specs - was thinking of making some out of aluminum.

Re: early 1926 roadster Side Curtain Rod grommet

Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2021 4:26 pm
by TXGOAT2
Annealed copper might work.

Re: early 1926 roadster Side Curtain Rod grommet

Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 11:29 am
by Mikey1968
I ordered a set of the 12mm here. My others are painted black so these will match a bit better and have a deeper inner collar than the silver ones in the post above. My calculator says 1/2" is 12.7mm so figured in a pinch, I can enlarge the hole a bit since they are brass. I do not have any side curtains so just want to fill in the hole for completeness. Looks like I'll have a bunch to fiddle with. ;)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133886011077?_ ... %3A2047675

Re: early 1926 roadster Side Curtain Rod grommet

Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 8:10 pm
by TMiller6
Perhaps some photos are needed.

The Side curtain rod is 7/16" stock. The hole in an unswaged 7/16" grommet is smaller than 7/16" because the tapered press makes it larger after it passes thru the washer.

Here is an original Ford groomet on my 26 Runabout.
IMG_5508.JPG
Here is my reproduction made with brass telescope tubing.
IMG_5507.JPG
Here is a side curtain rod with a #4 (1/2") nickeled brass grommet. Note the rod fits the ID fairly close due to the taper of the grommet. Note the OD is much larger than whar Ford used.
IMG_5510.JPG
I hope this clarifies the relative sizes of the parts.