In search of source for fender bead: missing from my kit! ????

So as I'm beginning my build, I'm getting more familiar with my kit and its contents.
Although I was told by the PO that it was complete, I continue to discover missing components.
My most recent discovery is that the fender bead is missing.
This is the narrow aluminum trim strip that runs the entire length of both sides of the front and rear clips.
I have the original packing list which states that there should be 4 of part number 2007 “Bead, fender"
I have more mounting screws than it calls for, but no bead. Does anyone know a source?
Thanks in advance for any help.
-Scott

I hope you can find some.  I bought some off of someone on the old Yahoo forum many years ago and haven't seen any more since then.

If you can't locate any, it could be made, but it wouldn't be easy.  It is just aluminum tubing approximately 1/4" in diameter that has had a flat milled on it.  The flat extends into the inside and leaves a slot.  If you know someone with a milling machine (pretty much any kind), they could set up a simple jig to make some.  It would be time consuming for sure, but very doable.

You might be able to locate something similar at one of the various companies that sell aluminum extrusions. I've never searched for anything like it, though. Often, these companies will have a catalog of standard extrusions, but will also often have minimum amounts to purchase.

Once again, good luck.

Check out "mcmillanrodandcustom.com", they have 1/4" half-round polished stainless steel molding that might work for you.

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Thanks for the info AHSebring64 and Hotrod. I really appreciate it.
I saw the stuff at McMillan. While it is polished stainless, it's not hollow so it would have to be drilled and tapped for each of the MANY mounting holes. At $25 / foot, before tapping. I will save that option for last.
The more I look, I'm starting to think the custom milling route will be the way to go. I can get a 25' roll of 1/4“ aluminum tubing on Amazon.
I've got the grill slats and they apparently are made out of the same material. They actually mic out at 5/16“ but I think the 1/4" would work.

Thanks Ive literally been trying to do the same thing with some silver collored plasitc tublng right now but im thinking the aluminum or stainless option is much better

I was lucky enough to be able to acquire a full set of the CRL beading from a forum member. My backup plan was to get Austin Healey reproduction trim from Moss Motors. At one point I contacted their customer service requesting dimensions. This is the reply I got...


Thanks for contacting us. We don't have that fender bead material in bulk, we buy the beads as finished pieces with the clips. The 021-810 is 61" long and the 021-820 is 67" long.

Take care,

Don Green
Sales Representative
Moss Motors
Phone: 800-667-7872 / 805-540-7450
Ext. 7450

I don't have it with me right now, but I'm going to try taking a picture of the spare trim I have and running it through the google lens app to see if I can find a source.
Will let you know if I find anything.

There are companies making extruded aluminum trim that could probably whip some up as well - what you're looking for is rounded aluminum extrusion with a T-slot.

David V. wrote:I don't have it with me right now, but I'm going to try taking a picture of the spare trim I have and running it through the google lens app to see if I can find a source.
Will let you know if I find anything.

There are companies making extruded aluminum trim that could probably whip some up as well - what you're looking for is rounded aluminum extrusion with a T-slot.

I have the grill slats, which are made from the same material. I tried the Google lens trick to no avail. I spent all my free time for 3 or 4 days researching but came to the conclusion that the beading would have to be custom-extruded if the Moss product didn't work.

I also need enough of the beeding for each side of a front clip wfat i was thing about doing was to take 1/4 or 5/16 aluminum tubing and cutting a slot out of the bottom of it out on a table saw and slideing the heads of '# 4 machine screws into the center of the tubing and through the slot tu fasten through the seams of the fenders but i cant find any Pollished aluminum tubing Any thoughts?

Alternatively you could get full aluminum rod, drill it, weld the bolts in and smooth the bolt heads.

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Bobby C wrote:I also need enough of the beeding for each side of a front clip wfat i was thing about doing was to take 1/4  or 5/16 aluminum tubing and cutting a slot out of the bottom of it out on a table saw and slideing the heads of '# 4 machine screws into the center of the tubing and through the slot tu fasten through the seams of the fenders but i cant find any Pollished aluminum tubing Any thoughts?

In my online searching I learned that it is possible to create beating from tubing but you have to be mindful of how the saw cut affects the bead profile. If you simply cut a slot down the center, the bead will have a round profile and appear to perch on top of the fender. Another issue is finding a blade that is just the right width for the groove. 
From what I read, the preferred method is to slice the side off of the tubing by running on a table saw using a jig you'd have to make. Forgive the crude drawing I made, but maybe it will help illustrate.

If I were doing this without a milling machine I would use the table saw method.  

Using a blade to slit the groove would require a very thin blade.  I'm not sure such a blade would even be available.  They are made for milling machines but the cheaper ones are too small and the large ones are very expensive as well as having large center holes.

If I was using a table saw, I would experiment with a dado (sp?) cutter and a wooden jig.  I would set this up to shave the bottom portion off of the tubing leaving the groove that you need.

Of course the bottom of the jig would have to have a stepped floor to support the tubing after the bottom is removed.

Let's say the tubing is 5/16 od.  Take a hardwood board and cut a 5/16 wide rabbet down one side 3/4 deep.  Cut a 7/16 x 5/16 strip for the in feed side.  Brad nail and glue this to the in side leaving a 5/16 groove 7/16 off the table.  The dimensions of the out feed strip would have to be determined through trial and error, but would be taller than the 7/16 in feed.

Also, on the out feed side you would need a couple of pins that fit the groove left in the tubing.  This would prevent the tubing from rotating and keep the groove consistently lined up on the bottom.

The thing sounds complicated but really is simple.  Once the jig was made, it probably wouldn't take more than a few minutes to make more trim than you would need.

The aluminum the original parts are made of is pretty soft, probably extrusion type alloy. 6061 would be overkill.  Something like 3003 should be good enough and easier to form.  Even though the tubing is available in rolls I would use straight sections.  Getting the rolled stuff straight enough to use will be a real chore.  I have a tubing straightener for 3/16 tubing.  It does a good job of straightening tubing for brake lines, but what you need is very straight sections.  Any deviation from straight will be very noticeable.  FWIW - The original CR trim came in straight sections.  

I have a couple of pieces of extra trim but want to keep them as spares in case I ever need them.  I would be happy to measure the exact dimensions for you.

I hope this made sense.

David V. wrote:Alternatively you could get full aluminum rod, drill it, weld the bolts in and smooth the bolt heads.

Definatly easier ways to go about it though

Bob
Are you still looking for fender bead.?

Nope. I got real lucky. A member on here had all 5 pieces from a kit he's putting together.