Good source for aluminum...

[malconium]

I just recently found a good source for belly pan and bananna wrap aluminum. There is a company called "Metal Supermarkets" that has something like 70 or 80 stores across the country. There happens to be one in Portland, Oregon about 15 miles from my house. Some of the their claims to fame is that there is no order minimum and that they cut to size. I did not see 2024 alclad listed in their product listing so they may or may not be able to supply that for the outer skins. I didn't ask because I don't need any right now. They do, however, carry 6061 and 5052. I decided to use 5052 for belly pan and bananna wrap replacemets. Their price for 5052 4' x 10' x 0.025 was $64.95. There was no shipping charge since they were local to me. I had not found a better price at the internet sites than this. I paid a little extra to have specific sizes cut for me. For example I had 3 pieces cut to 48" x 60" for the belly pan.

Check out their web-site and see if there is one in your neck of the woods:

http://www.metalsupermarkets.com/

Malcolm

[69 Silverback]

Good find !

Checked out thier web site, so happens there is one down in yhe cities only 28 miles from me .

Thanks for the post Malcolm.

Loren

[eubank]

Gosh, durn! There's one in Albuquerque, too! Yiiiippeeee!!!!

Lynn

[ALANSD]

thanks for that info....they list that they are opening one right down the road from my house...might come in handy.

[swebster]

Once again the forum comes through! I've been looking for some thin aluminum from our CCD-style interior veneer project. I have the curbside of the forward cabin done in 0.10 flashing from Home Depot but am not happy with the results...too thin and you can see every twist and it shows small "bubbles" where it's not flat to the original skin.

Been search for someone local with no luch for 0.19 (aluminum siding) or a complete replacement with 0.25. Had no idea about these guys and they are about 10 miles from my house.

Yippee! Thanks Malcolm!

[65TWscrapbooker]

Hi.
Any sugestions on how to find out what type of metal (alum. of course) but what type of "grade" and such that is needed to for repairs for a specific AS? We have a 1965 TW and will need to repiar some work the PO did and not sure what to ask for, in order to order alum. Thanks for the help! Marsha

[Over59]

Great. There is one in Waterbury Connecticut. This is also a good town for Italian bread. Second only to Providence RI. Thanks

[flyfshr]

Cool! There's one here in town as well. Thanks Malcolm. You Forum folks are alright!!!

FF

[blrpix]

Originally Posted by 65TWscrapbooker

Hi.
Any sugestions on how to find out what type of metal (alum. of course) but what type of "grade" and such that is needed to for repairs for a specific AS? We have a 1965 TW and will need to repiar some work the PO did and not sure what to ask for, in order to order alum. Thanks for the help! Marsha

Need to do some patches, from PO etc...65 Trotter can anyone us know what gauge and type aluminum is standard for 65's??? Skins and belly please!

Thanks for the resource...

[malconium]

I do not know for sure what was original for 60's vintage trailers. From what I can tell from reading various postings here in the forums and looking at my 1973 shop manual the following types and thicknesses of aluminum are what you should order now days:

Exterior skins:

2024-T3 Alclad 0.032 thick

Belly pan and banana wrap

5052-H32 0.025 thick

There is a pretty comprehensive explanation of what all the types mean at the following vendor website:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...s/aluminfo.php

There is also some good discussion in the following thread:

Skin replacement

The source mentioned here in this thread seems to be great for the 5052 but as I mentioned they may not be able to supply the 2024. The next best place that I have found in my research comparing prices seems to be the following:

http://www.airpartsinc.com/

One thing that seems handy about this source is that you can buy the aluminum in a continuous roll which can be rolled up and shipped. I picked the Metal Supermarket because they were local, had a great price, would cut to size and there were no shipping charges.

Malcolm

[markdoane]

I found a cheaper source for Alclad 2024-T3/.032" at:http://www.wicksaircraft.com/catalog...892/index.html
They also have 5052-H32 and 6061-T6. There are some incorrect tensile strength numbers in their data sheets. If you want an Excel spreadsheet that I developed showing the mechanical properties and costs, send me a PM.

[greg176]

Wick's had a better price for 2024-t3 but could not supply it in pieces longer than 12'.I needed several pieces longer than that so went to Airpartsinc.Yhey can ship a 32' long continuous roll.The freight was cheaper on the roll,there's less chance on shipping damage,it's easier for me to pick up at the freight office,it's easier to store,and there is less waste.I bought three rolls and will probably buy one more.I was also lucky enough to get 7 sheets at my local recycler for $50 a sheet.
Freight on a roll was $50 with UPS.Freight on flat sheets was quoted at $150.

Metalsupermarkets quoted me a price of close to $400 a sheet for 2024-t3.

[markdoane]

Greg,
What are you building, a 38 ft Overlander?
I only needed a 12 ft piece, and Wicks normally coils the 2024 for shipping. They were less excited about rolling a sheet of 5052 bellymetal, seems the softer stuff takes a curl if you roll it. Not a problem with the 2024.

[CanoeStream]

I had a good experience with Metal Supermarkets today. Per Malcolm's tip, I picked up four 48" x 96" sheets of .032" 5052-H32 (they cut to order). $49 apiece for that size. You would do well to call ahead -- they didn't have .032" in stock but it took one business day to get it from their supplier. They expressed a bit more dismay at the prospects of .025" but seemed to say it would be possible... eventually.

I've got side sections of banana wrap and some belly wrap to replace. The .025" malconium... er, aluminum on there is terribly corroded and weak. There are too many holes already -- even if I were very careful in removing it. POR-15 is my friend with so much leakage having happened down below!

I was on their doorstep at 8:00AM when they opened and was on my way in 5 minutes. I did resist the temptation to slip down Snelling Avenue to the Minnesota State Fair at a time I could have waltzed right in!

A separate thread when I have a chance on some solutions to my Beluga's rejuvenation.....

[swebster]

I just bought a peice of 14 gauge 17" x 48" sheet steel to replace my rusted out battery locker bottom. The cut it while I waited, thre in a piece of angle iron I needed all for $22.

They asked me to bring in the AS so they could see "that much aluminum" in one place . Nice guys and certainly willing to help the hobbiest

[markdoane]

Originally Posted by Canoe stream

I had a good experience with Metal Supermarkets today. Per Malcolm's tip, I picked up four 48" x 96" sheets of .032" 5052-H32 (they cut to order). $49 apiece for that size. You would do well to call ahead -- they didn't have .032" in stock but it took one business day to get it from their supplier. They expressed a bit more dismay at the prospects of .025" but seemed to say it would be possible... eventually.
.....

I wish you had stopped at Garelick Steel on 2nd Ave. I think they still have some 36"×96"×.032" 5052-H32 for $17 each.
I checked Metals Supermarket in Cottage Grove for 2024-T3, the guy was gonna check on it. He called me back 10 days later, and the price was outrageous.

[flyfshr]

I went to the local MetalSupermarket and purchased a 2' section of round aluminum tubing in 1 5/8" diameter and it was over 24 bucks. Gag - but no one else had it. I hope their price on flat stock is better than that!

FF

[CanoeStream]

flyfisher -- That must be the tubing for making gaseous diffusion uranium separating centrifuges.

markdoane -- I was aware of the Garelick source you mentioned in one thread. I have two distinct locations where the 4' width was important. This is useful though -- I've stored the URL for that thread. Thanks.

[ALANSD]

This is an old thread- but the Metal Supermarket is now open near me and I am needing a sheet to redo the area around the door lock on my 80.
Is this area .040 or .032 in thickness? I have seen both mentioned. Thanks