Do you guys use a specific kind of sheetmetal

[abadsvt]

I went down to my local steel supply yard because i need some sheetmetal for my truck. I didn't see any sheetmetal that didn't have a finish on it. I saw black iron, and galvanized. I thought i remember hearing about a picked sheetmetal. Does that make sence? Any tips would be much appreciated.

Josh

[bentfab]

Sheet metal used for general fab we use 1018 or 1020 cold rolled. P&O your talking about is pickled and oiled. It's just another process and is generly used for brackets and other heavier duty jobs.

[abadsvt]

Sheet metal used for general fab we use 1018 or 1020 cold rolled. P&O your talking about is pickled and oiled. It's just another process and is generly used for brackets and other heavier duty jobs.

So for basic sheetmetal patching or building a dash you would use either 1018 or 1020 CR? If i call my steel supply and ask for 1018 18g sheetmetal they would know what i want? And the the P&O would be more for frame and suspension parts? Thanks for the help.

Josh

[bentfab]

exactly. 1018 and 1020 are pretty much the same so if you say 1018 and they say 1020 you say yes.
Any time

[abadsvt]

What gauge would you use to for patching/modifing a fender and bedside? Also what gauge would you use for building a dash or inner fenders? I figure that 20g would be easier to bend and "mold" but 18g would be easier to weld without warping. Just thought i would ask the pros rather than guessing.

Thanks

[bentfab]

The way I do things and personaly the way it should be done. When your doing a patch panel you want to match the original sheet metal thickness that your working with. This way you can make an exact pattern and but weld (tig) the panel in place. After but welding grind only the weld down and then you can hammer and dolly out the metal shrinkage or fine tune the area. As for the dash it's your personal pref. 18 guage would probably be a good start. Not to thin and not to thick. Besides after you give it a little shape the integrity of the metal just stiffened up tremendessly

[bentfab]

These were made out of 18 ga.