Feedthru or Grommet or... something

[RWebb]

I'm looking for something to fill a large hole in sheet metal but with a small hole in the middle of it.

I'd like something that looks like a rubber grommet around the outside, with an OD of ~ 1" (i.e. the hole in the sheet metal I want to fill is 1" dia.)

but thru the center of it I want to run a tube 1/4" in dia. (or I could cut a hole that size if the thing is solid)

this is for an electrical wiring run I'm doing in a VW Vanagon - I had to drill 1" holes so I could get polyethylene tubing run (it protects the actual 12 Ga. wire from harm, shorting etc.)

so, what are these things called and where (what type of store) would carry an assortment of them?

thanks!

[mossguy]

Grommets, Ace

Best,
Tom

[James Brown]

Look at the aircraft spruce Webb site and search for firewall grommets. like this one:

Or you can fab something like that. That one covers a 1 1/4" hole.

[Jagshund]

Yep. Grommets. There are two of them just about how you're describing that hold the license plate wiring on the rear bulkhead of a 914. Think Ace might be your best bet because I know Lowes and HD don't have near the stock of those items that they should.

[RWebb]

ok, True-Value does not have them.

I found pics of things that will work - called cable grommets, or feed-thrus

I am looking for something with a mostly filled-in interior - regular grommets ("thin") won't work.

I'll try the local electronics store & see what they have.

I don't see anyone saying "your FLAPS will definitely have these"....

[mossguy]

your FLAPS will definitely have these"....

Best,
Tom

[lm6y]

Use a 1 inch rubber sheet metal plug, cut your center hole, and put a 1/4 inch grommet in it.

[RWebb]

that would be fine IF I could find a rubber sheet metal plug anywhere in this town...

wasted entire AM on this

ID = 3/8" ; OD = 1 3/8" and rubber or other flexible material with a groove that will fit sheet metal - why is that so hard to find around here?

[Burnin' oil]

I'm looking for essentially the same thing - rubber grommets for where a brake line enters and leaves the passenger compartment. Can't find them yet. May have to order online.

[craigster59]

You can get them here McMaster-Carr

[RWebb]

thx, but none of those meet the ID & OD specs.

I discovered a new term to spend time on searching... "body plug"

[Burnin' oil]

Here's what I have to get: Product Detail

AutoZone, and presumably other auto parts stores, has packs of random sized grommets. I'm going in just a minute and will look for your specs.

[Joeaksa]

Why do you keep posting questions here? You act like you know everything already?

[RWebb]

hmmm, brake line grommets -- that's an idea

I was at AutoZone, Napa, & 2 other FLAPs this am; also 3 fastener houses and a couple of hardware places...

part of the problem may be that the clerks can't think beyond a particular "name" for the time - i.e. can't think of it

unfortunately, the days of open bins are about gone

I'll try a VW and misc. parts place on the other side of town tomorrow & maybe hit some autobody shops...


Joe - please go back to PARF

[Burnin' oil]

5/8" was the biggest at AutoZone.

[craigster59]

Mcmaster has one in the "push in military spec grommets" #9307K76

fills 1" hole in panel, with a 1/4" opening. Will that not work? Pack of 5 is $5.34

[RWebb]

unfortunately, I need one for a 1 3/8" dia. hole...

and then the ID has to be 3/8"

[craigster59]

Try page 3748, snap in grommet #63595K33

[RWebb]

thanks! that's the closest thing yet

[rusnak]

You could just use 1" conduit caps that they use on Schedule 40 conduit. The plastic will be large but will deform enough to fit 1" hole. Then drill or hole cut a 3/8" in the middle. If you wanted to get really artsy, you could pop rivet an aluminum plate to the bulkhead and hole cut the 3/8" in the middle of that.