Skin Thickness?

[6805eagleguy]

About to order skin for my bus, Wondering between 18, 20, and 22 ga. steel?
Also I am planning to weld it on, any suggestions with that?
Also planning to get cold rolled so defects on face.

[6805eagleguy]

Also planning to get cold rolled so defects on face.

So no defects on face!   

[DoubleEagle]

18 gauge cold rolled would be best, it would be the equivalent of 12 gauge aluminum, but cost less, and have a slightly lower coefficient of expansion. It would be prudent to heat the metal so that it is stressed on the frame, and further reduce the possibility of "oil canning". Make sure the frame is in solid condition before applying.

[Bill B /bus]

My thoughts on 'skinning':
Both buses had riveted skin, GM and MCI. So I stayed with rivets.
Skin was aluminum so I stayed with aluminum. Used 0.080" sheets sheared to size. And fastened with aluminum drive rivets. Used Sikaflex as sealant adhesive and conductivity barrier. steel frame to aluminum sheet.

Resided in Maine during the summer, maybe 75-80F. Survived full sun of the southwest and the RGV with no change in shape.
I know about expansion but the rivets appear to be the design factor that compensates. Plus buses flex and welds don't.

my $.02
Bill

[dvrasor]

I used .080 5052 alum. bucked rivets on a 4104
no problem with warpage.

Dave Rasor

[pabusnut]

Oh, you were talking about skin on the bus! 

You have to have thick skin to be a BUSNUT

Steve