What kind of aluminum do you guys use for fabrication of helms and boxes and such.
- Thread starter Rain City
- Start date
noluck
Well-Known Member
Rain City
Crew Member
Cool but not quite. I'll do some more reading
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Chasin' Dreams
Well-Known Member
Need more specifics about your question. Are you asking what thickness of aluminum is best to make a box from for marine application? Are you asking what grade of aluminum for what exact application? Do you want an aluminum that will bend in a tight degree without cracking? Or will it all be cut and welded... Lot's of different types/alloys meant for more specific applications/purposes. Some will bend much easier than others without cracking, and also if you are going to be welding it to another alloy on your boat you need to know how well they go together and what wire to use when welding them together if mig'd or what type filler rod to use if tig'd..
The thinner you go the nicer tig welded will make the end product look if done nicely.
Rain City
Crew Member
Ummmm yeah. All that. I don't have a break so assuming I'd just be cutting and welding. I'd be bolting onto glass or clamping onto stainless rails somehow. I also have a mig spool gun and have tested my beads on some 1/4" plate. Was pretty happy with the look.
SpringVelocity
Crew Member
5052 is what I would use. They carry it stock at Samuel in Van and Vic. For the cost of off cut just get a sheet of it. Way cheaper.
Chasin' Dreams
Well-Known Member
1/4" is thick to make just a box out of but ya the thinner you go with mig then the better you need to be with your quality welds and settings. Tig takes more skill but is much better for thinner stuff. If you know the exact dimensions you are going to go with you can pay places like Metal Supermarket etc. to pre cut it all for you to save time unless you have a sheer yourself or plasma/grinders etc.. Cut torching aluminum=nope.
SpringVelocity
Crew Member
I paid $225.00 for the 1/4" 8 x 10 sheet for the 5052H32. You probably only need like 11 gauge or something like that might be cheaper... 1/4" is pain if you don't have good brake/right die set.
Rain City
Crew Member
I'd be working with a portaband or a jig/skil saw. Maybe not a bad idea to get it pre-cut.
Chasin' Dreams
Well-Known Member
Ya couple places in Langley that I use a fair bit Metal Supermarket and Metal Mart I think are their names.. they will pre cut it all for you. You can even call ahead and order it to be done. They also have scrap bins of cut offs you may be able to pick through to get stuff cheaper.
Rain City
Crew Member
Don't know yet. Waiting for inlet to send me the specs on the throttle and wheel. Probably like a 15x15 square and a couple of triangle sides and a back plate. I'm assuming.
Pineapple Express
Well-Known Member
You can get a place like Aquashear in NVan to supply the plate AND water cut it for you. Then you'd just have to weld together. Aquashear 604-986-2513
I've had them quote on a job but I ended up doing something else entirely. They were great to work with in the quote phase
I've had them quote on a job but I ended up doing something else entirely. They were great to work with in the quote phase
Rain City
Crew Member
Nice thanks
blazin_jason
Member
Aluminum can be cut much like wood. Chop saws, table saws, circular, jig etc. Doesn't sound like you need too much material. See if any local welding shops have some around to sell.
Captain PartyMarty
Crew Member
In Langley I like ABC Recycling, they have a mega selection of all kinds of Aluminium sheet and bar stock. They also have stainless. Way cheaper than new material from Metal Mart, the guys is friendly and will help you look for what your looking for.
Watch out fingers, 1/4" should be CNC cut.
Ive done half inch steel with a cordless skill saw. Its all speed/feed and managing heat.
Not every project needs cnc.
Wd40 or another cutting fluid will keep the aluminum from gumming up the blade.
