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ally body work
thwang - 5/9/08 at 02:58 PM

hi all
as im a newbie i feel its best to ask questions then i wont order the wrong materials. what grade ally is best for the floor pans and body work we use mainly AL 1050 at work but can order in other grades.
thanks thwang

[Edited on 5/9/08 by thwang]

Maradona - 6/9/08 at 01:55 AM

1,5 thin, fits well

Avoneer - 6/9/08 at 07:37 AM

And flexes - I'd be more comfortable with 2mm semi-hard.

Pat...

iank - 6/9/08 at 10:06 AM

NS4 (in old money) or 5251 in new money is the usual recommendation.

1050 is too soft I think.

2-3mm for the floor (though 1.5 has been used, and is I think the thickness westfield/caterham use).

1.5 for the side panels is fine.

Liam - 6/9/08 at 10:30 AM

I used NS4 and regretted it! Way too stiff to work with. The bonnet particularly was a nightmare. The ratchet strap forming method didn't work at all - sprung almost completely back. In the end took all mine and my dads strength to bend it round a local lamp post and we were unable to get good control over the bend or do much about it afterwards. Similarly forming 90 degree folds was horrible too.

Use 1050!!

Liam

thwang - 6/9/08 at 06:58 PM

thanks for the info guys
bending or rolling wont be a problem i work on a hammerle press brake used to be a commercial body builder till my boss wouldnt give me a pay rise so i moved into sheet metal. would you use 2mm for the fuel tank.
thanks thwang

vinnievector - 9/9/08 at 09:16 AM

2024t3 for your sides should give you some malabilty folding working ext no thiker than 1.2 mm . for the floor use alu checker plate 2mm to 3mm

John Bonnett - 9/9/08 at 06:04 PM

18 gauge NS4 is fine for the floor but it should be bonded with a good quality panel adhesive to the frame and riveted with 4 or 5mm rivets at 50mm centres. Monel rivets are ideal as they will prevent electrolytic corrosion. NS4 is an alloy and very tough and as has been said not the greatest for forming but great for floors.

20 gauge,1050A which is pure aluminium is fine for the sides and it can be fairly easily dressed around the chassis tubes particulary if annealed.

NS3 18 gauge would be good for the bonnet.

John

thwang - 17/9/08 at 08:15 PM

cheers guys
hopefully im going to order most of the materials in at work over the next few weeks. but saying that i ordered some 25x25 box section the other week and some one used it for a job at work so ive had to order some more.
simon