Thread: Making alloy panels, what materials available

Originally Posted by wrinklearthur

Thanks Diana

I have thrown out unused unopened tubes that I had ready for a job -$$$$$ , the unopened tube had gone off in the time I had it waiting .

Simple to solve, seal up the nozzel the best you can when finished, then place in the freezer . The moisture is solid in there. We do that at work, lasts for ages. But needs about an hour to thaw before use.

Just saw the post. I know you are in the middle of looking at welders. I have posted a few pictures in the Galvanising thread. The material I used was 2mm aluminium sheet as this is what was available and local. Similar to the thinking 60 years ago when these vehicles were made.
The material is thicker than original and I figure it will compensate for any difference in material composition if required.
One piece of advice I would offer is to take any of the reinforcing pieces off to reuse. This could save a lot of manufacturing of bit that are ok.
The main components made from this so far are inner guards where the originals were ripped and fatigued. The tub skins due to fatigue and dints. The door skins due to electroloisis and the tailgate if that is what you could call the bit of bent metal that tried to fill the gap at the rear of the tub.
On the welding front I got a mate to tig weld some of the flat panels on for me thinking there would be less distortion. Glad I did as you could see any hair line cracks highlight under the heat of the welder, more so than when I mig welded parts earlier.