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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Generic Eric on November 23, 2014, 07:00:40 pm

Title: Control Panel 101: Where do you buy the metal to make a CP from?
Post by: Generic Eric on November 23, 2014, 07:00:40 pm

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

Title: Re: Control Panel 101: Where do you buy the metal to make a CP from?
Post by: shponglefan on November 23, 2014, 08:36:37 pm

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

Title: Re: Control Panel 101: Where do you buy the metal to make a CP from?
Post by: Generic Eric on November 23, 2014, 10:02:39 pm

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

Title: Re: Control Panel 101: Where do you buy the metal to make a CP from?
Post by: thomas_surles on November 24, 2014, 12:11:57 am

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)

Title: Re: Control Panel 101: Where do you buy the metal to make a CP from?
Post by: Louis Tully on November 24, 2014, 03:33:46 am

.

Title: Re: Control Panel 101: Where do you buy the metal to make a CP from?
Post by: mgb on November 24, 2014, 07:06:34 am

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

Title: Re: Control Panel 101: Where do you buy the metal to make a CP from?
Post by: yotsuya on November 24, 2014, 09:18:34 am

Quote from: mgb on November 24, 2014, 07:06:34 am

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.

Title: Re: Control Panel 101: Where do you buy the metal to make a CP from?
Post by: nitrogen_widget on November 24, 2014, 11:07:51 am

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

Title: Re: Control Panel 101: Where do you buy the metal to make a CP from?
Post by: yotsuya on November 24, 2014, 11:50:50 am

Quote from: nitrogen_widget on November 24, 2014, 11:07:51 am

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

Title: Re: Control Panel 101: Where do you buy the metal to make a CP from?
Post by: Ken Layton on November 24, 2014, 12:00:28 pm

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.

Title: Re: Control Panel 101: Where do you buy the metal to make a CP from?
Post by: harveybirdman on November 24, 2014, 12:37:59 pm

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.

Title: Re: Control Panel 101: Where do you buy the metal to make a CP from?
Post by: nitrogen_widget on November 25, 2014, 09:46:25 am

Quote from: harveybirdman on November 24, 2014, 12:37:59 pm

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?