The Ford Barn

Deluxe Delivery · 01-26-2011, 02:06 PM

I've been having a difficult time buying correct guage sheet metal for model A panels. The local guys have either way too thin or unbendably thick. I thought it was 20 guage, but when I ordered it, what I got was too thick to work. You also cannot buy a sheet metal guage at the local "hardware stores" so I'm workin blind here. Any input ?

Rem/Mo · 01-26-2011, 02:28 PM

I think 19 gauge is what it is. 20 ga should be ok.
Maybe what you got isn't 20 ga. 20 ga should be about .036 thick.

d.j. moordigian · 01-26-2011, 02:41 PM

Google " metal gauge thickness ", then you can use calipers or a mike. 19 gauge is
the norm for the interior metal and most body parts, most people use 20.

Kevin in NJ · 01-26-2011, 03:14 PM

Something close to 19 is apparently what Ford used based on my measurements.

18 is too thick to work. 20 is what works best for making your own panels.

Goto my website for ideas on metal working.

Doug in NJ · 01-26-2011, 03:31 PM

Heavier stuff like subrails is about .065" thick, about 15 gauge. I did some patches in those areas with 16 gauge.

BTW, were fenders also made with the 19 gauge?

Doug

Mike V. Florida · 01-26-2011, 03:34 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug in NJ

Heavier stuff like subrails is about .065" thick, about 15 gauge. I did some patches in those areas with 16 gauge.

BTW, were fenders also made with the 19 gauge?

Doug

Yea, thats my understanding.

wrndln · 01-26-2011, 04:01 PM

When I replaced same sections of my subrails I used 14 gauge which was about the right thickness. I didn't have to bend it much so it worked real well. I wanted it strong enough. I think the cowl panels are close to 16 ga sheetmetal, so that is what I use to patch them. I use 20 ga for repairing body sheetmetal rustouts and other sheetmetal that needs patch panels.
Rusty Nelson

montanajohn · 01-26-2011, 06:42 PM

Eastwood sells a dandy gauge for $20. Standard gauges on one side, thousandths on the other. Just Google their website.

01-26-2011, 02:06 PM	#1
Deluxe Delivery Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 370	Correct Guage Model A sheetmetal I've been having a difficult time buying correct guage sheet metal for model A panels. The local guys have either way too thin or unbendably thick. I thought it was 20 guage, but when I ordered it, what I got was too thick to work. You also cannot buy a sheet metal guage at the local "hardware stores" so I'm workin blind here. Any input ?

01-26-2011, 02:28 PM	#2
Rem/Mo Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: N.W. Mo Posts: 72	Re: Correct Guage Model A sheetmetal I think 19 gauge is what it is. 20 ga should be ok. Maybe what you got isn't 20 ga. 20 ga should be about .036 thick.

01-26-2011, 02:41 PM	#3
d.j. moordigian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fresno, Ca. Posts: 3,636	Re: Correct Guage Model A sheetmetal Google " metal gauge thickness ", then you can use calipers or a mike. 19 gauge is the norm for the interior metal and most body parts, most people use 20.

01-26-2011, 03:14 PM	#4
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: Correct Guage Model A sheetmetal Something close to 19 is apparently what Ford used based on my measurements. 18 is too thick to work. 20 is what works best for making your own panels. Goto my website for ideas on metal working.

01-26-2011, 03:31 PM	#5
Doug in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 965	Re: Correct Guage Model A sheetmetal Heavier stuff like subrails is about .065" thick, about 15 gauge. I did some patches in those areas with 16 gauge. BTW, were fenders also made with the 19 gauge? Doug __________________ My '31 S/W sedan project:http://31ford.dougbraun.com My restoration diary: http://dougbraun.com/blog

01-26-2011, 04:01 PM	#7
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,159	Re: Correct Guage Model A sheetmetal When I replaced same sections of my subrails I used 14 gauge which was about the right thickness. I didn't have to bend it much so it worked real well. I wanted it strong enough. I think the cowl panels are close to 16 ga sheetmetal, so that is what I use to patch them. I use 20 ga for repairing body sheetmetal rustouts and other sheetmetal that needs patch panels. Rusty Nelson

01-26-2011, 06:42 PM	#8
montanajohn Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 26	Re: Correct Guage Model A sheetmetal Eastwood sells a dandy gauge for $20. Standard gauges on one side, thousandths on the other. Just Google their website.