Control Panel 101: Where do you buy the metal to make a CP from?

[Generic Eric]

Where does someone shop to find metal for making a CP from?
How thick are control panels typically?

[shponglefan]

OOC, are you looking to design/build from scratch?  Or are you looking for something prefabricated?

[Generic Eric]

Just want to fold a rectangle for now.  I recall a recent post where someone suggested it could be done in a garage.

[thomas_surles]

I know you can buy sheet metal at ace hardware. Might be too thin though, but look around at your local hardware store(not home depot/Lowe's)

[Louis Tully]

.

[mgb]

I believe a metal control panel on a comercial machine would be 16 gauge.
You can get it at Home Depot and lowes.
It will be a bit harder to bend than something like 22 though

[yotsuya]

I believe a metal control panel on a comercial machine would be 16 gauge.
You can get it at Home Depot and lowes.
It will be a bit harder to bend than something like 22 though

I use 16 gauge for my panels, but I have access to a full fabrication setup. I don't think I could do it properly otherwise.

[nitrogen_widget]

We have one of these.
http://www.harborfreight.com/36-inch-metal-brake-with-stand-91012.html

but so far have only used it for car floor panels & other stuff that doesn't need to be pretty.

What kinds of bends would be needed and what gauge sheet metal to make it rigid enough so you don't need any wood underneath?

[yotsuya]

We have one of these.
http://www.harborfreight.com/36-inch-metal-brake-with-stand-91012.html

but so far have only used it for car floor panels & other stuff that doesn't need to be pretty.

What kinds of bends would be needed and what gauge sheet metal to make it rigid enough so you don't need any wood underneath?

I've used something pretty similar in our metal shop. It's great for simple panels and 90 bends. Anything more than that is iffy, though.

[Ken Layton]

Look in the Yellow Pages under these categories:

Welding shops/supplies

Metal Fabricators

Steel Distributors

I've also seen both Home Depot and Lowe's stock some decent sized pieces of sheet metal in the hardware section.

[harveybirdman]

Got any real estate or street signs laying around? I have both and have often wondered how they would turn out as metal panels.  Also we have that Harbor Freight Metal Brake in our shop and its pretty good for the price.

[nitrogen_widget]

Got any real estate or street signs laying around? I have both and have often wondered how they would turn out as metal panels.  Also we have that Harbor Freight Metal Brake in our shop and its pretty good for the price.

Galvanized street signs from the 90's made really really good floor pans.
I've heard.

I'm looking up diagrams or plans for metal boxes.

I'd just need a box that's only a few inches deep for rigidity for a bar-top panel. correct?
I'd want some plywood under a flat sheets of metal for a full sized cab I'd think though?