Expanded metal question

[air8]

Found this ad on local craigslist. They have calipers showing .057" thickness. Before driving too far to check it out I researched .057" material and was not able to find an answer. As in how strong is expanded metal assuming carbon steel at .057" thickness in 2'x4' form? LOL.

I found so much information that I was jumping all over the place. I'm thinking I want to use this for the front of my car trailer as flooring to store straps and binders. The little piece in the picture would be used for bottle storage for a welding cart I want to fabricate.

 

[MP&C]

.057 should be 16 gauge. Doesn't give much for support if you plan on spanning the frame rails, but if you have additional framework it may work for you.

 

[dr_clyde]

How much are they asking? It may be worth it if its near scrap price.

 

[kazlx]

That stuff is really not all that expensive new, so it would have to be dirt cheap to go get. Also, like mentioned, there is almost no substance to it, unless it's braced underneath or the spans are small.

 

[sberry]

5 dollars, 10 tops if you absolutely had to have it.

 

[air8]

They were asking $10. This was gonna span the front tongue area of the trailer. The triangle section of the trailer has the two side frame rails and a center frame rail.

My city isn't large enough apparently for a metal supplier. The closest one, that I have found, is 55 miles away. Before driving to that city I need to develop a materials list. The person in this ad is 15 miles away and lets me finish a task tonight or tomorrow. But, I really have no rush. LOL.

 

[air8]

I can wait till I buy more bulk material if expanded metal isn't high price.

 

[gtermini]

A 4x8 sheet of 13GA expanded was $65 for me about a year ago from a large supplier in Salem, OR. Just an off the street cash/card transaction, I don't have an account there..

Just for your reference on price.

Greyson

 

[jimgood]

If you weld it carefully enough, it should be fairly strong. I wouldn't trust it to hold something heavy with little surface area, like a floor jack or a propane bottle. But straps? Sure.

You have to be really careful welding it though. It will basically vaporize if you concentrate the heat too much on the expanded metal.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I question using expanded metal mesh as the bottom of a storage container for your straps and binders. That would make them fully exposed to all the road spray, water, dirt and other junk from the road. Unless you are into washing your straps a lot, I'd not want to coat my tiedown equipment with dirt, grime, oils and other stuff.

 

[theknurl]

put your stuff in a sealed lockable box......

I use heavier expanded metal between the rails of dirt bike trailers......so you don't have to worry about missing a step.....and destroying your shin

just a thought

 

[zkling]

Depends on the span and unsupported area. Main issue is how to affix it since you don't have much surface area to weld to. Look up a expanded metal design load table and it will show you how to select size based on span and load.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Main issue is how to affix it since you don't have much surface area to weld to.

Bolt and nut. Fender washer.

 

[air8]

I decided to pass on this. I will be loading/unloading vehicles more frequently soon and I imagine using the tongue area of the trailer as a standing area sometimes. So gonna get heavier gauge material for that.

 

[Wanna Ride]

I'd pay ten bucks for that, just to have it in the pile, for various future projects.

 

[BD1]

http://www.metalsdepot.com/products/hrsteel2.phtml?page=expanded&LimAcc= &aident=

The above site may help. Expanded metal can be FLATTENED or RAISED. The flat stuff maybe better if you decide to drag or slide accross it.