sheet metal thickness

[vegaschevy]

I have a courtesy light, door lock holes, gas filler hole, and various holes on the fire wall that will need to be filled. What are you guys using for thickness or gauge of steel? and what kind of steel?

i have some air operated snips and gonna really start working on the cab this week.

[vegaschevy]

dont ask me how this ended up in here, i was in the general 67-72 section

[dough_boy]

in most cases we try to use the same thickness metal as the panel we are working on. also we use cold rolled sheet metal for any shaving that we do in our shop. by useing the same thickness as the metal you are working on it displaces the heat evenly and helps to keep from warping the metal as much. just make sure to use small spot welds and dont over heat the metal when welding it so that it doesnt warp.

[vegaschevy]

Originally Posted by dough_boy

in most cases we try to use the same thickness metal as the panel we are working on. also we use cold rolled sheet metal for any shaving that we do in our shop. by useing the same thickness as the metal you are working on it displaces the heat evenly and helps to keep from warping the metal as much. just make sure to use small spot welds and dont over heat the metal when welding it so that it doesnt warp.

any idea what the factory cab, doors, firewall is?

[Shane]

Just a guess on our year-model trucks, but most body panels of this era are 18 gauge sheetmetal ...

[vegaschevy]

Originally Posted by Shane

Just a guess on our year-model trucks, but most body panels of this era are 18 gauge sheetmetal ...

Thank you thats a good place to start then.

[dough_boy]

yea id say between 18 and 16 gauge. on most of the panels. you can pick up small peices from lowes and home depot but i recomend just going to a supply store and buying a whole sheet. you will come out cheaper in the long run.

[vegaschevy]

I actually do not need very much so maybe that is the way to go. Ill price it out and see. I have a few small holes and the panel across the front for when I remove the trim rail

[Shane]

Oddly enough, 18 gauge is actually quite hard to find at Lowe' / Home Despot / Tractor Supply ... for some odd reason they seem to skip this gauge. At least around here it seems to be the case.

I try to keep an old beat up hood or other dented body panel around for such reasons ... drag 'er in to the shop ... cut off what I need & then beat it into submission and the desired shape.

[vegaschevy]

Originally Posted by Shane

Oddly enough, 18 gauge is actually quite hard to find at Lowe' / Home Despot / Tractor Supply ... for some odd reason they seem to skip this gauge. At least around here it seems to be the case.

I try to keep an old beat up hood or other dented body panel around for such reasons ... drag 'er in to the shop ... cut off what I need & then beat it into submission and the desired shape.

I do have two doors that are quite rusted on the bottotm that came with my rust free cab. Maybe I need to make some panels form these....

[dough_boy]

yea its always good when ya can save some money like that and it should be the exact same thickness

[protrash64]

My local metal place has a remnants rack (their garbage) that people can purchase for reduced retail prices. Its a budget friendly way to roll.