Sheet Metal Sizes

[Anonymous]

I am creating a new sheet metal template and am looking for a reliable source to use as a reference. (I don't have any books or charts) and there is lots of varience in search results from google.

Looking to create a library of inches, mm and gauge

Any one have a specific website or possibly just post a screen shot of there sheet metal rules?

Thanks!

[mcgyvr · Accepted solution]

I just create it from available sheet thicknesses at mcmaster.com

OR

http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/scales/sheetmetal.html

OR

http://www.sheetmetalguy.com/sheet_metal_gauge_chart.htm

OR

http://www.custompartnet.com/sheet-metal-gauge

and on and on....

[Anonymous]

I know, I know, there is millions of references out there,

but here is 2 that I would have considered using and are different than the ones you have listed.

Look at gauge 3 on these 2 examples, they say it is equal to 0.25 inches

where your examples that you have posted say the gauge 3 = 0.2391

do these values change from country to country, I figured they would stay the same and be adjusted by a conversion??

Thanks!

[mrattray]

I would refer to a machinist's handbook, myself.

I've never heard anyone actually use a sheet gauge larger than 7. Usually you switch to fractional sizes once you get that thick.

[Anonymous]

Yes, the Machinist Handbook, it is one of the many items on my wishlist here at work. I have list here that is larger than any Christmas list I had growing up!! Slowly but surely, I am setting up an ideal department here.

I agree, gauge is not a term that we use a lot here, typical sizes are 10,11,12 but even those are different then the references that mcgyvr posted above..

I will just use one of those he posted for now and if there is any discrepancies, I will deal with it later.

Thanks!!

[mrattray]

This is my reference chart, in case it helps:

[rjay75]

I've typically used the Central Steel and Wire catalog for gauges up to 7 ga. As stated early typically after that material comes in fractionally measured plate. I've never had an issue with material thicknesses using that.

Another option may also be asking your steel supplier for a references.

As for bend allowances that can vary greatly from company to company depending on die sizes, tolerances, etc. If your company has break presses there I would just ask the operator what bend allowances they use. Every shop I've been in has had they're own method of calculating allowances that work for them. If your company is not forming the material then just use Inventor's calculated value for bend allowances as most places will relayout flat patterns to work with there equipment.

[Anonymous]

Ryerson is a good resourse too, and our "bible" for a quick refernce to material.  Their books carry just about everything from plate, sheets, tubes, structural etc.

BTW, gauge sizes vary according to material too.  But I should say a previous poster listed 7 ga as having a thickness of .188 which is incorrect.

7 Gauge steel, ASTM A569 is .1793" thick, not .188".  3/16th material is .188 thick.  So there is a differnce.  As stated before, 3/16ths and larger are called out per fraction.  Under 3/16ths are typically called out in gauge sizes.

Again, depending upon using steel, or galvannealed steel, the gauge sizes differ due to the coating applied to galvannealed steel.  This would also apply to stainless sheets.  The gauges vary between all of the materials.

john

[RobJV]

We use the gage charts from our steel and aluminum suppliers.  I think some of you may be mixed up though.  Wire gage and sheetmetal gages are different and are different for each type of metal.  Gage is based on weight.

Example: 10ga steel is a different thickness than 10ga aluminum and is a different thickness than 10ga satin coat steel and 10ga stainless steel and 10ga galvanized steel.

Rob

[Anonymous]

Some references merely round to the nearest 1/16" like guage 3 is .2391 which some list as .25 simply for convienence.

[Anonymous]

I managed to get this from Machinery Handbook 27th edition.

It the sheet metal gages, for steel, galvanized and zinc (which is tin??)

I am going to use this as a reference for setting up my sheet metal rules.

One quick stupid question though, does anyone ever use metric sheet metal?or is it always gage or imperial?

Thanks!

[rjay75]

If you are actually using metric measured material I would set up metric styles too. Its not readily available but there is metric sizes that can be found. We usually have the customer agree to use the nearest imperial size. Gage here always refers to the imperial measurement.

[mrattray]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Ryerson is a good resourse too, and our "bible" for a quick refernce to material.  Their books carry just about everything from plate, sheets, tubes, structural etc.

BTW, gauge sizes vary according to material too.  But I should say a previous poster listed 7 ga as having a thickness of .188 which is incorrect.

7 Gauge steel, ASTM A569 is .1793" thick, not .188".  3/16th material is .188 thick.  So there is a differnce.  As stated before, 3/16ths and larger are called out per fraction.  Under 3/16ths are typically called out in gauge sizes.

Again, depending upon using steel, or galvannealed steel, the gauge sizes differ due to the coating applied to galvannealed steel.  This would also apply to stainless sheets.  The gauges vary between all of the materials.

john

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The chart I posted was based on stainless, as that's what 90% of our work here is. Sorry, I should have mentioned that.