Standard Sizes for Aluminum Sheet?

[lbperry]

I need to buy some sheet aluminum for a car building project I've got going. I'll probably use .060 6061-T6 since that what was used in the Factory Five I built several years ago.
What is/are the standard size that aluminum sheet comes in? I'm assuming that it'll be more economical to buy it in standard size sheets.
What the best place to get it at reasonable prices. Approx what can I expect to buy something close to a 4' x 8' sheet for?
Thanks for any info,

 

[BIG Eric]

Working in aviation I have seen that grade in 3 x 6, 4 x 8, 4 x 12, and 5 x 12

 

[Boiler]

4x8. May be able to get 3x8, 5x10, 4x10, and bigger sizes as well.

Find a steel / metal supplier like Alro, JT Ryerson, etc. My local Alro branch sells single sheets and you can often get good prices by paying with cash vs businesses with 30 day (or more) credit terms.

I get extrusions from the mill for about $1.75/lb, and extrusions from Alro (smaller quantities for about $2.15-$2.75 per pound. Plate is usually 30% more than extrusions, but I'm not sure if sheet follows the same general rules as plate or not. I'm guessing it does.

A 4x8x0.060 is about 27 lbs, so you're probably looking at about $100 per sheet I would guess. If you're welding it, you may want to try 0.090 or 0.125 to decrease warpage, pucker, and burn through.

One thing I like to do when building with aluminum is to use square tubing as a framework and use 3M VHB tape (1/16 tk) to attach 0.040 and 0.060 sheets. It really is much better than welding it because it stays flat, distributes load (I fully tape all joints), and it decreases oilcaning and vibrations of non welded areas. Also you don't have to spend time with rivets / screws, and it is pretty flexible. Also can be watertight.

 

[ilovevocs]

I buy mostly 3003h14 in 4x10. It's a common size for use in Architectual fabrications and is readily available from my local suppliers. Most brakes and shears in Architectual metal shops are 10' wide. Some of the larger manufactures i have relationships with have brakes as wide as 30'. They have a coil slitter and tension leveler so they slit the coil to the required length and tension level it negating the need for a shear of the same format.

I think your questions are great, but I would ask them all to a local supplier. your local market will dictate what they stock and what they are capable if pricing competitively IMHO.

 

[Big-Foot]

Hey Lawrence,

Try a local stock car supply shop or a trailer repair. Both places should stock what you're looking for. The aluminum actually comes in rolls of varying widths and lengths from the mfgr and is cut to spec length. The stuff I have bought in the past was all 4x8 or 4x10. Its been a number of years now but the last time I bought a 4x8 sheet I think I paid $80 for it. It's probably $100 now.

 

[INSP380]

Just don't try to bend 6061 90` . It will crack, even against the grain. Use 5052 if you need to make any bends.

Our price for 6061 14G-48X96 sheet is $105

Steve

 

[lbperry]

Thanks for all the input, guys. $100 per sheet sounds about right but I've gotten a couple quotes closer to $200 including shipping locally. I'll have to check with some of the metal retail companies in Birmingham or Nashville. Sould be able to save on shipping if I pick it up there locally.
I may take a look at getting some 3003 or 5052 and seeing how it works. Bending 4' lengths of the 6061 or in my homebuilt brake takes a lot of muscle. Most of the panels I'm making are well supported when installed.
Again, thanks for all the input, I appreciate it.

 

[bsaint]

Working with hundreds of sheet metal shops, I see 4x8 and 5x10 as the most common sizes.

 

[INSP380]

If strength is not that big of an issue, you'll really like the 3003. For workabilty and all round usage I like the 5052 esp if you have a brake.

Steve

 

[Kevin54]

Most of the sheets we ordered in were 4x8's.

And like others stated, you go to bend 6061-T6, you'll crack it if you don't have a big radius on it. I'd also use the 5052.

 

[kmacht]

I have built an entire aircraft out of 6061-T6 (www.sonexaircraft.com). The best source I have found so far is to buy it from either wicksaircraft.com or aircraftspruce.com. A 4x8 sheet is about $125. Are you sure you need something as thick as .060? You can get .032 for about $65 but the biggest advantage is that up to about .032 you can have the company roll the sheet and ship it regular UPS. When you un-roll it it will still be completely flat. If you go bigger than .032 it usually has to be shipped flat via freight.

Keith