WHAT GUAGE STEEL SHEET FOR BODY & FLOORPANS

[Michael Banchero]

I am trying to figure out what guage steel to use in fabricating small areas for supporting and for perimeter pieces in a restoration? I will buy a 4x8 sheet, but what guage should I buy.
thanks in advance,
MICHAEL BANCHERO
415-846-9686

[Phil Planck]

Most of the 356 is close to 20 gauge, with a little 18 and a little 22 gauge.

I would buy a 4 x 4 piece of both 18 and 20 gauge. I think I have gone through about 6 x 4 20 gauge and 2 x 2 18 gauge on Foam Car, which has needed a lot of patches.

[Roy Smalley]

.....is the more accurate description when talking to the supplier.

[Ashley Page]

If you are putting compound shapes in the steel you might want to use ak steel. That is a steel that is more forgiving to shape - more ductile and does not work harden as quickly as some other grades. It is available from steel suppliers.