Sheet Metal Source
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Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Waynesville, OH
Sheet Metal Source
OK, I know grit blasting and welding a little but I'm a complete newbie when it comes to body sheet metal. What type of sheet metal do most of you use for patches/repairs and where do you get it? I know I can get specific patches like cab corners from the vendors. I'm looking for stuff I can make my own patches out of for areas where the vendors don't have ready-made ones available.
Specific questions I have are:
1. What grade of steel (1005, 1018, A36, ???)
2. Galvanized, plain, or coated with something else?
3. What gage (24, 22, 20, 18, ???)
I must admit I've searched the web for the last few hours and found lots of info about how to do body work but not anything about where to get the sheet metal or what it is exactly. Please take pity on this poor soul and help me out so I can fix my holey truck.
George
Specific questions I have are:
1. What grade of steel (1005, 1018, A36, ???)
2. Galvanized, plain, or coated with something else?
3. What gage (24, 22, 20, 18, ???)
I must admit I've searched the web for the last few hours and found lots of info about how to do body work but not anything about where to get the sheet metal or what it is exactly. Please take pity on this poor soul and help me out so I can fix my holey truck.
George
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Vancouver Island
Sheet Metal Source
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-Sep-02 AT 10:06 PM (EST)]"cold rolled steel" is a term I've heard.
Thickness: 18 to 20 gauge?
Galvanized is a bad idea because of the poisonous fumes it gives off during welding.
Old computer cases are made from steel, and can probably be had for free from computer recyclers. I don't know if they're galvanized, or if there's some other kind of coating on the unpainted parts.
A friend recommended using road signs.
Thickness: 18 to 20 gauge?
Galvanized is a bad idea because of the poisonous fumes it gives off during welding.
Old computer cases are made from steel, and can probably be had for free from computer recyclers. I don't know if they're galvanized, or if there's some other kind of coating on the unpainted parts.
A friend recommended using road signs.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
Sheet Metal Source
I cut up my 1985 fullsized Bronco and used its roof for floor patches on my BII. Go to a junk yard and ask for a roof. Very easy to cut off and not that heavy. Home Depot carries sheet metal and steel.
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Waynesville, OH
Sheet Metal Source
Soooo, sounds like most folks have enough experience to just use any old sheet steel they can find (tin cans, snow shovels, whatever)? I know I'm not good enough with body work to make patches from those sources. Well, I could but I doubt I'd be pleased with the results.
Seems like maybe a body shop would have a steadier supplier of standard stock for body work? Maybe I should give a local shop a call to see where they get theirs? Maybe even ask if they'll sell me some? Anybody think that would make them ... um ... unhappy since I'm not taking my work to them?
George
Seems like maybe a body shop would have a steadier supplier of standard stock for body work? Maybe I should give a local shop a call to see where they get theirs? Maybe even ask if they'll sell me some? Anybody think that would make them ... um ... unhappy since I'm not taking my work to them?
George
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From: clementsport canada
Sheet Metal Source
i run a machine shop/fab shop, and i buy my body metal from the local uap/napa dealer, paid $35 candian for a 3'x8' sheet of 22Ga body metal, this is a different grade then standared cold rolled, it's softer, and easier to bend and shape. i'm still using the same sheet after 5 years, and have used it to fix 4 trucks...
for heavier, panels, i use 14Ga, but it's not real easy to bend, but is more structuraly sound...any fab shop should have this in stock, and probably could sell you some smaller peices for a fair price.
we sell 14 Ga for $0.80/lbs (canadian) and there's aprox. 3.5 lbs/square foot...
for heavier, panels, i use 14Ga, but it's not real easy to bend, but is more structuraly sound...any fab shop should have this in stock, and probably could sell you some smaller peices for a fair price.
we sell 14 Ga for $0.80/lbs (canadian) and there's aprox. 3.5 lbs/square foot...
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Postmaster
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From: Waynesville, OH
Sheet Metal Source
Thanks Bull. I figured that might be the case. I just didn't want to run off and use beer cans or something. On the other hand, I understand that a lot of body sheet metal is old, recycled cans. Maybe even some of the old steel beer cans! 
George
George
