My Belly pan is beat up along the edges. I was going to replace the whole thing. I have been told my 59 uses 2024-T3. Called the local steel supply place and they just called me back They cant find it local with shipping to them it's going to be $1000 For 4 4ftx12ft sheets!
SO I have them checking on a couple other grades. He said a 6011 (think thats what he said). Said it was a nice shinny aluminum but should be a cheaper. Waiting for a call back on it.
If it's throught the roof then one sheet of 2024 and I'll have to patch it in where the belly is damaged and just the visable spots.
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1959 22' Caravanner
1988 R20 454 Suburban.
Atlanta, GA
That actually doesn't sound too bad to me...you may want to shop around with some airplcraft supply stores online and possibly not pay a middleman.
We looked into replacing our side panel, about 4'x10' and it seems the price was about the same.
I'd be careful it you change from what was there originally...the tolerances of you shell-off work could be affected, wspecially if thicker aluminum is used.
Originally posted by InsideOut That actually doesn't sound too bad to me...you may want to shop around with some airplcraft supply stores online and possibly not pay a middleman.
We looked into replacing our side panel, about 4'x10' and it seems the price was about the same.
I'd be careful it you change from what was there originally...the tolerances of you shell-off work could be affected, wspecially if thicker aluminum is used.
Shari
Ohh same thickness but a different grade. That 2024 is some pricy stuff. The guy point blank told me this is aircraft stuff and he had to go to a company that specializes in materials for them to get it. The 6011 is a more common product and should be cheaper. It will have a bit of a different shine from the rub strip down if I go that way. Reguardless I'll be rethinking replacing the whole pan and patch in the new stuff on the visiable edges and reusing as much as I can.
Greg and mark just pulled their pans....hope they didn't just ball them up.
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1959 22' Caravanner
1988 R20 454 Suburban.
Atlanta, GA
I haven't checked the price of sheet aluminum lately but in .090 4'X10" sheets the last time I checked was going to cost me $100 per sheet. Now granted thats not retail.
Thank God I didn't. I did roll it up in about a three foot coil so I could store it out of the way this winter.
I have a neighbor thats a gutter man (Seamless, roll your own). He orders coils of aluminum. I may get him to add some to his next order. He used to be manufacturing VP for a coil shop that did siding, so he can find just about any type or thickness. I'll let you know if he can order 2024 T3.
Today I got lights mounted on my bare frame, so as soon as I find a capable welder, it's off to the shop.
$50 for 4x8 sheets of .040 or .050 3031, either I am getting over or ripped on one. They will make a couple of cuts per sheet nc, which works because I only have a small shear. Any aluminum places around you? Around here the steel places and aluminum seem to be separate; steel outfits will order aluminum but you end up with prices like you got.
You can order coiled 2024 T3 in 48" width from www.airpartsinc.com/alumsheet.htm.
Price on their web site is $12.10/ft. Don't know what shipping would be to you location, but not as much as 4x12 ft sheets.
The $12.10 price above is for .025 bellyskin. Body .032 is slightly higher. Both are AlClad.
Thanks for the tip on AirplaneSpruce. I'd been to their site but didn't check prices. At their price it still might be cheaper to buy coil if sheets need to ship by truck and coil can go UPS.
Originally posted by markdoane The $12.10 price above is for .025 bellyskin. Body .032 is slightly higher. Both are AlClad.
Thanks for the tip on AirplaneSpruce. I'd been to their site but didn't check prices. At their price it still might be cheaper to buy coil if sheets need to ship by truck and coil can go UPS.
Well that's a price I can live with....I'm glad I said something I thought the belly was .032 as well. I was about to order the wrong stuff.
The .025 4ft x 12ft would be $145 for a coil + shipping. I think coil for the belly will be fine. $165 for .032 coil. shipping from KS should save me a few bucks.
With shipping it looks like my local place put $50 profit per sheet. I did find a few places that sold coil local. Let me check them tomorrow. Let me also check with my Delta bud and see if he knows a place local. .....can you buy it at the PX on base at Dobbins?
Hmm I know a few people at Phoenix Air, I wonder if they can get me a deal on it. Have to track them down in the morning.
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1959 22' Caravanner
1988 R20 454 Suburban.
Atlanta, GA
Ordering a coil also lets u avoid making a crosswise splice right where the axle is. I know AS used coil for the bellyskin because there aren't any side-to-side splices.
Originally posted by markdoane Ordering a coil also lets u avoid making a crosswise splice right where the axle is. I know AS used coil for the bellyskin because there aren't any side-to-side splices.
That makes sense.
I'm a cheapskate. The plan was to put the pan back on in peices so that I can take the center out as needed for plumbing repairs of if I wanted to add something. I think what I will do is get a sheet 4x12ft. Then I can patch in the perimeter where it's visable and damaged. Use the existing belly pan down the middle and patch the holes where appearence is not such a issue. From the links posted I should be able to do that for around $200.
I could do a 20ft section for $242 and split it down the middle and get a little more coverage. Might even be eaiser. That would get me all the way to the frame rail till about the 1st rib where the frame tapers in to go to the hitch.
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1959 22' Caravanner
1988 R20 454 Suburban.
Atlanta, GA
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