Metal Stock in your shop?

[johnnymac46]

I'm Getting ready to order some sheet metal to have on hand at my shop and was wondering what guys generally keep around.

There is a steel yard that will deliver about 45 minutes away from me.

I will be doing mostly patch work on my Camaro, and some Trans tunnel work.

The guy who is renting space from me will be doing floors, several body mods and repair to is '68 BMW 2002.

What i was thinking

2- 1x1x.120
2- 2x2x.188
2- 2x3x.188
1- 4x8 16ga
1- 4x8 18ga
1- 4x8 20ga

I'm trying to see if this is crazy to just have on hand so i don't have to run and get steel every week.

[Schwartz Perf]

In my opinion the .188 wall tube may be a little overkill for what you're doing.. Not bad for the 2x3 stuff as it is likely used in heavy duty areas, but the 2x2 doesn't need to be that thick.
Also 40ft of it seems a little much as well for the 2x2 and 2x3.

Steel flat stock is usually good to have for little brackets and such, and it's generally cheap. 1/8" and 3/16" thick mainly.

-Dale

[GregWeld]

Adding to what Scwhartz said....


I always have several sticks of 3/4 X 3/4 and 1 X 1 for bracing etc... and you'd be shocked how fast you can use up 30 or 40' of this stuff!

I also stock some various "strap" material -- 1 X 1/4" and some 1 1/2 X 1/4" - and 2" etc.... I like to have a few different widths and thickness. Amazing how many things you can use this for.

Also - I have angle iron -- and I use that a lot - not for the cars - but for making various things around the shop. It's simple and easy. I might need a piece to built a ledger for something and it's easy to clamp etc.

Once you start carrying some of this stuff -- you'll want to build some kind of rack for storage - you'll get real tired of moving it if you don't.

[GregWeld]

Forgot to add --- unless you have a stomp shear -- get your 4 X 8 sheets cut down. They're way too hard to handle in the full sheet size. I like to at least cut them in half so two 4 X 4 sheets. There's nothing you're going to make for a car that will take a full sheet.

[johnnymac46]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Forgot to add --- unless you have a stomp shear -- get your 4 X 8 sheets cut down. They're way too hard to handle in the full sheet size. I like to at least cut them in half so two 4 X 4 sheets. There's nothing you're going to make for a car that will take a full sheet.

Was definitely planning to have them cut in half. Just have to buy 4x8 sheets.

Down the road we are planning a welding table that will have some
Storage underneath for tubing, I'll look into some of the flat stock.

[Sieg]

I always have 1/2"x1/2"x .070 in stock also. I use it for all kinds of knick-knack stuff like small shelves, carb stands, layout spacers, garage tv wall bracket, corner bracing, etc. I'm amazed at how many feet of the stuff I've consumed in a couple years in my home shop/garage.