Haynes Forums  

Go Back   Haynes Forums > Haynes Roadster Forums > Chassis
FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10th November 2011, 06:51 PM
CTWV50's Avatar
CTWV50 CTWV50 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,297
Default Steel floor thickness question.

Going to be fitting a steel floor but want to keep the weight down. What are peoples opinions on the minimum thicknesses you can get away with. I will also be fitting a steel rear panel and tunnel pieces and was thinking of using 0.5mm steel. Would that be maybe too thin?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10th November 2011, 07:10 PM
Talonmotorsport's Avatar
Talonmotorsport Talonmotorsport is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southminster Essex
Posts: 1,323
Default

I'd go with 2mm - 14gauge for the floor and either 1-0.8mm 20-22gauge for the panels. You want a little strength to the body work otherwise it will be covered in dents before you've even finished it.
__________________
Website http://www.talonmotorfabrication.co.uk/

Direct email phil@talonmotorfabrication.co.uk

talonmotorfabrication@gmail.com

Mobile office hours 07514098334
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10th November 2011, 07:39 PM
Tilly819 Tilly819 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 489
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by CTWV50 View Post
but want to keep the weight down.
make it from aluminium
__________________
www.heraldic-motorsport.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10th November 2011, 08:51 PM
Wynand's Avatar
Wynand Wynand is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: South Africa
Posts: 173
Default

Originally I would have made my car's floor from 3mm ally, but decided on 1.6mm steel plate space welded to the chassis and sealed with SikaFlex all round the seams.
This gave me a very strong chassis (and floor) without the big number of holes drilled into the chassis bottom for the pop rivets that may cause rust problems later. Btw, pop rivets have no structural benefits.
The difference of weight from 3mm ally to 1.6mm steel was only 3.7kg...

However, for the rear bulkhead and tunnel 1.2mm aluminum was used.
__________________
Cheers

Wynand
http://5psi.net
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10th November 2011, 09:19 PM
Jimmyd Jimmyd is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Portaferry, Co Down
Posts: 246
Default

I used 2mm steel floor which I'm really happy with. The choice boiled down to the fact I had the steel costing me nothing.

J
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10th November 2011, 10:01 PM
Deanno's Avatar
Deanno Deanno is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Cardigan, West Wales
Posts: 477
Default

i'm using 2mm as it is what was left over from making a bombing target in work, well it was free

Dean
__________________
My Blog: deannoshaynesroadster.wordpress.com
(under construction)

Being overtaken is a sign of weakness.


South Wales Kit Car Club
www.southwaleskitcarclub.co.uk

WWW.HELPFORHEROES.ORG.UK
XBox Gamer tag: D34NNO
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11th November 2011, 10:35 AM
Trophy Blue's Avatar
Trophy Blue Trophy Blue is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: West Cornwall
Posts: 77
Default

I used 1.2mm (18g) on mine, been on the road 7 years now with no ill effects, no corrosion etc.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12th November 2011, 12:27 AM
CTWV50's Avatar
CTWV50 CTWV50 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,297
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wynand View Post
Originally I would have made my car's floor from 3mm ally, but decided on 1.6mm steel plate space welded to the chassis and sealed with SikaFlex all round the seams.
This gave me a very strong chassis (and floor) without the big number of holes drilled into the chassis bottom for the pop rivets that may cause rust problems later. Btw, pop rivets have no structural benefits.
The difference of weight from 3mm ally to 1.6mm steel was only 3.7kg...

However, for the rear bulkhead and tunnel 1.2mm aluminum was used.
This is what i wanted to hear. Thank you!

And Thanks for the other replies too, most welcome.

Cheers

Chris
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 16th November 2011, 04:19 AM
danilo danilo is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 30
Default

Lotus and Caterham use Ali as the floor 16 ga I believe? For 50 YEARS! Why do some have this insatiable need to 'improve' on what clearly doesn't require it?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 14th December 2011, 07:05 PM
Not Anumber Not Anumber is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Southend on Sea. UK
Posts: 243
Default

what's 16 gauge in mm please ?
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:00 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.