Metal sheet

[metalman]

Keep in mind whatever gauge sheet metal you buy it is likely to be undersized by a few thousands.
I noticed this consistently over many years. The squeeze up the rollers used to manufacture the sheet metal and stretch their product.
19 gauge, according to the chart I have is supposed to be .0418", The 19G I bought last time measures .0388-.039".
20 gauge is on the chart at .0359". So my 19G is only about .003" thicker, kind of like a fat 20G, half way between 20G and 19G.
Maybe it is a difficult thing to control in manufacturing but they don't error in your favor.

 

[Treeslayer]

im sitting here reading thinking i have enough trouble with 18, wouldnt want to fool with 20ga.........

 

[metalman]

im sitting here reading thinking i have enough trouble with 18, wouldnt want to fool with 20ga.........

20 gauge is easier to cut, bend and shape that 18 gauge.

 

[ct71rr]

I’ve gotten 20 gauge 36”x21” panels from Amazon. They are from AMD.

 

[Treeslayer]

20 gauge is easier to cut, bend and shape that 18 gauge.

but slightly harder to weld. i just need more practice either way. fenders, floor pans and body i got down pat, but it seems like the hoods and doors must be thinner? idk, i have hell welding on hoods and doors only it seems like.

 

[metalman]

but slightly harder to weld.

I conveniently left that part out.
But its not that bad, depends on your method.

 

[Treeslayer]

I conveniently left that part out.
But its not that bad, depends on your method.

mig here. i so wish i had got the tig set up that went with this rig. he wanted as much for that as the rest of it, and i didnt at the time understand the value. it had the box, water cooler, whole nine yards. hindsight is 20/20

 

[Chad.S]

mig here. i so wish i had got the tig set up that went with this rig. he wanted as much for that as the rest of it, and i didnt at the time understand the value. it had the box, water cooler, whole nine yards. hindsight is 20/20

Definitely add a tig welder to your arsenal. one of the best purchases a guy can make when doing work with metal. I hate having to pull out my mig welder.