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Old 10-08-2020, 06:39 AM
Sbgunderson Sbgunderson is offline
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Default Two different thicknesses of aluminum

Hello all,

I am making a few aluminum panels for a 356 replica. The existing panels are .050 3003 aluminum. Trouble is, I bought a sheets which turned out thinner than what I ordered. So my question is about using and welding two different thicknesses ( actually .041 and .049). Only an 8 thou difference. An expert I work with says don’t mix/weld the two. Thoughts?
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Old 10-08-2020, 10:49 AM
Marc Bourget Marc Bourget is offline
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I agree with the "expert" as I believe what he references is the difficulty with heat control.


If you had ever participated in one of Kent White's workshops, you'd realize almost anything is possible.
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Old 10-08-2020, 11:59 AM
Chris_Hamilton Chris_Hamilton is offline
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.041 sounds like .040 sheet, while the .049 sounds like .050 sheet. To me it seems as if you were mistakenly sold .040 sheet instead of .050. There is quite a bit of difference strength wise (specifically dent resistance) between the two not to mention that welding .040 is a lot more difficult than welding .050. .040 was race car thickness. .050 more for "production" cars. If it was me I would not use the .041 sheets. Perhaps Kent will have a different take on it.
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Old 10-08-2020, 12:21 PM
Moving Molecules . Moving Molecules . is offline
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Ideally it would be advantageous to use the same Thickness.... 6 hours ago l have just measured a rare Ferrari at 1.40mm and we had 1.50mm in stock... so time l Wheeled my acquired shape ....I then measured it again and ended up at 1.4mm.

So my advice would be to re - order the right size? , or thicken the edges of the edges of the thinner panel ... by slightly Planishing.
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Old 10-08-2020, 07:37 PM
BTromblay BTromblay is offline
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Hi,

I never found the difference in material thickness, difficult to weld. With heat control and a little planing you can weld just fine. My concern would be dent resistance and long term health of the car body. I would recommend to re-order the .050" and consider .063" in high "dent" risk areas, IMO.

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Old 10-08-2020, 09:02 PM
Sbgunderson Sbgunderson is offline
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Thanks for the advice guys. I will go ahead and order some .050.
As someone mentioned, I did order .050 and receive .040. Hence the issue.

Thanks,
Spencer
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