ebinmaine 67,015 #1 Posted June 7, 2018 I know we all have different sources and resources and things that we use to make stuff out of. I'd really like to try to reuse or recycle something. I need a couple pieces of sheet metal. One to line the bottom of the trailer that I am remaking. The other is to use as a reinforcement for a seat base area. I know that the gauge of a metal refers to its thickness but I don't know what those numbers are in relation to inches or fractions or thousands. I guess I want something that is around the same thickness as a seat pan. What do you all use as flat Ish sheet metal?? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,871 #2 Posted June 7, 2018 EB, 16 gauge is about 1/16" thick. 11 gauge is 1/8" thick. the lower the number the thicker the metal. I would say 16 gauge for the cart is fine. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 54,837 #3 Posted June 7, 2018 If you know someone in the heat and air conditioning business the flat side panels from large commercial AC units that you would see on the roof of stores are a good source. They tend to be thicker and easy to come by when a unit is replaced. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 37,860 #4 Posted June 7, 2018 I buy large electrical cabinets at the scrap yards. I used these steel panels to make several two piece seat pans. Making a pattern from an existing seat. Then lay out the seat on the steel cabinet door. 5 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kenneth R Cluley 515 #5 Posted June 7, 2018 Easy way Rule of Thumb, Number represents 1" divided by gauge. ie. 16 gauge = 1/16". Those cabinet doors look like prime material to me, heavy gauge, galvanized or painted, great source. and probably priced right too. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,165 #6 Posted June 7, 2018 probably shouldn't say it but if you have connections to old street and road signs they make great flat panels for projects 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 40,912 #7 Posted June 7, 2018 10 hours ago, 953 nut said: If you know someone in the heat and air conditioning business the flat side panels from large commercial AC units that you would see on the roof of stores are a good source. They tend to be thicker and easy to come by when a unit is replaced. No wonder when I go on a no AC call, all that's left is the compressor! 1 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACman 7,606 #8 Posted June 7, 2018 Did Jim @WHX19 fix those !...... 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shynon 7,456 #10 Posted June 8, 2018 2 hours ago, ACman said: Did Jim @WHX19 fix those !...... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,015 #11 Posted June 8, 2018 @Ed Kennell nice work there as usual. I'll make a call or two and see what they have. 19 hours ago, jabelman said: probably shouldn't say it but if you have connections to old street and road signs they make great flat panels for projects I had that thought too but I don't have any connections there. 10 hours ago, squonk said: No wonder when I go on a no AC call, all that's left is the compressor! These are the new light weight style units for ummm... Energy savings. Yesah. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JPWH 6,021 #12 Posted June 8, 2018 Also check at jobsite dumpsters where renovation is going on, or with electrical contractors. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites