Where/What metal to buy...?

[shabz]

This might be a dumb question...but where's the best place to buy a small piece of metal...ebay? b&q? other?

Also...what type is the best for car sills? From what I've read 16 gauge or 1.2mm is the thickness to get...but what metal is best? my guess would be mild steel...?

It's being mig welded and I'll only have access to CO2...not fussed how it looks so long as its fairly strong

Thanks

 

[hotrodder]

The 2 usual choices of mild steel are CR4 and zintec. The zintec is zinc coated, different but similar to galvanised. Advantages are that it's more corrosion resistant, disadvantages are that the zinc makes the fumes from welding nastier (remove locally before welding and/or protect yourself from fume) and it's a little bit harder work to shape than CR4 (not an issue for sill patching)

Given the choice go for zintec, there's a thread somewhere on the forum for DIY friendly metal suppliers (stick Birmingham in the 'search this thread' tab) and/or try some local fabrication firms. Many motor factors also sell sheet steel in small quantities

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

I'd say that 16 gauge is definately too heavy and maybe 1.2mm is too.

1mm should be more than enough. The thicker it is, the harder it is to get it formed and look right along side what's already there.

Most car accessory shops can supply steel in 1 metre square sheets, or maybe 2 x 3 feet in old money. If you're not sure ask at your local garage/motor repair shop where they get theirs.

Places such as B&Q are OK for an emergency on a Sunday afternoon but very expensive.

Regards
Peter

 

[biodoctor]

This might be a dumb question...but where's the best place to buy a small piece of metal...ebay? b&q? other?

Also...what type is the best for car sills? From what I've read 16 gauge or 1.2mm is the thickness to get...but what metal is best? my guess would be mild steel...?

It's being mig welded and I'll only have access to CO2...not fussed how it looks so long as its fairly strong

Thanks

Best thing to do is find your local sheet metal fabricating firm and see if you can have a rumage through there waste bins,what's rubbish to them is usually ideal for car repairs,get yourself various pieces and bung them a drink..simples

 

[chunkolini]

Yep
Biodoctor has the key.
Find somebody who uses sheet metal and ask them nicely. It still amazes me how helpfull small to moderate sized companies are to idiots who ask nicely for their scrap metal.
Eg I was once told I would have to pay the scrap value of a collection of bits of sheet.
the Development engineer carefully weighed the metal and billed me for £2.50.

Re rummaging through skips, always ask first, they will often put stuff on one side for you to examine. Browse the factory estate at the weekend, see who has what in their skip, then approach them.

Be nice to to the mad woman on the desk and you will be fine.

Chunko'.