What aluminum sheet to use to build a deck lid?
#2051215
04/10/16 06:45 PM
04/10/16 06:45 PM
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Hemi_Joel
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THe steel decklid for my 31 Plymouth coupe is missing all the wood bracing, hinges and latch. And it weighs 25 pounds without all that stuff. So I was anticipating a bunch of work to install it. But then I started thinking about fabbing one out of aluminum and mounting it with 4 pins or dzus fasteners. What thickness and type of aluminum would be the best to use? Light as possible, but still strong enough. All suggestions are appreciated! THanks, Joel
[img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img]31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum RS23J71 RS27J77 RP23J71 RO23J71 WM21J8A I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do. "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
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Re: What aluminum sheet to use to build a deck lid?
[Re: Hemi_Joel]
#2051230
04/10/16 07:02 PM
04/10/16 07:02 PM
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MR_P_BODY
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I would use 6061T6.. about .040 max.. its tough but will hold the shape once you get it rolled EDIT Joel.. will you have access to a english wheel.. that has very little compound roll to it... 6061t6 is tough.. it doesnt like to bend tight 90* bends but I'm talking tight.. on the edges I would weld a lip to it instead of folding it over.. I'm sure you know you have to have ribs on it... I have used a engish wheel on 6061T6 and it worked well... I have used other alum material for different forming work like intake runner on tunnel ram but it was much softer
Last edited by MR_P_BODY; 04/10/16 11:14 PM.
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Re: What aluminum sheet to use to build a deck lid?
[Re: Hemi_Joel]
#2051408
04/10/16 10:52 PM
04/10/16 10:52 PM
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astjp2
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You wont do it with a flat sheet alone, You will need to fabricate some ribs and formers to keep its shape. I would look at 2024t3 .020 for the skin and 5052-O or 3003H-14 to make your structure from. If you need a compound curve, 5052 for all of it. The 5052 is weldable and formable. If you want to get fancy, form it and have it heat treated to create stiffness. You can also have it anodized. Tim
1941 Taylorcraft 1968 Charger 1994 Wrangler 1998 Wrangler 2008 Kia Rio 2017 Jetta
I didn't do 4 years and 9 months of Graduate School to be called Mister!
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Re: What aluminum sheet to use to build a deck lid?
[Re: Hemi_Joel]
#2051623
04/11/16 03:36 AM
04/11/16 03:36 AM
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astjp2
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Need a shrinker to get the curve on your bend, you could do a wire edge, but you will still need structure to support the sheet. You can look at metalmeet.com for some advice. Tim THanks very much! I'll look into that stuff. I don't have acces to an English wheel. I was thinking I'd run it through a roller.
Or what if I could bend some angle to form the edges, then bend the sheet over the angle and adhere it? Then run some up-down ribs with a bead roller?
1941 Taylorcraft 1968 Charger 1994 Wrangler 1998 Wrangler 2008 Kia Rio 2017 Jetta
I didn't do 4 years and 9 months of Graduate School to be called Mister!
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Re: What aluminum sheet to use to build a deck lid?
[Re: Hemi_Joel]
#2051881
04/11/16 02:59 PM
04/11/16 02:59 PM
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JERICOGTX
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Wait a minute... What happened to the second Kirkey seat?
69 GTX
68 Road Runner
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Re: What aluminum sheet to use to build a deck lid?
[Re: Hemi_Joel]
#2051950
04/11/16 04:31 PM
04/11/16 04:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
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astjp2
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Wait a minute... What happened to the second Kirkey seat? You get an upside down milk crate. I did that, its a [censored] when you roll off of it backwards!
1941 Taylorcraft 1968 Charger 1994 Wrangler 1998 Wrangler 2008 Kia Rio 2017 Jetta
I didn't do 4 years and 9 months of Graduate School to be called Mister!
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Re: What aluminum sheet to use to build a deck lid?
[Re: cgall]
#2052047
04/11/16 07:07 PM
04/11/16 07:07 PM
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MR_P_BODY
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You could use the steel one to make a mold and build a fiberglass lid. Or have a fabricator shore up the lid with metal and maybe punch some louvers in it. Whatever you do, that is a cool project car. IF he could borrow a lid from someone for a day or two he could take a mold off of it for a glass lid EDIT He could do a mold and make it out of carbon fiber like I did for my hood... if he wants LIGHT.. way lighter than alum or fiberglass and its easy to do
Last edited by MR_P_BODY; 04/11/16 07:13 PM.
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Re: What aluminum sheet to use to build a deck lid?
[Re: Hemi_Joel]
#2052086
04/11/16 07:53 PM
04/11/16 07:53 PM
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fullmetaljacket
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If it weighs 25 Lbs just as it sits without the wood structure then it would probably weigh 35 pounds or so originally. I would say that a glass one with all the webbing and structure to make it functional without being too fragile may not be much lighter than 25 Lbs. It may be at 15 or so. Aluminum may be at 10-12 Lbs and carbon be the lightest at maybe the 8-11 lbs. maybe even lighter.
Last edited by fullmetaljacket; 04/11/16 07:54 PM.
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