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Old 03-20-2013, 12:37 AM
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Question 18 gauge vs 20 gauge

Newbie question.Is there that much difference to shape 18 gauge vs 20 gauge??.
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Old 03-20-2013, 03:32 AM
Peter Tommasini Peter Tommasini is offline
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HI Gary
With car panels you be better of using 1MM/or 20 guage, unless you doing sill panels, or door pillars or any other structural work
Peter
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Old 03-20-2013, 08:22 AM
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It depends. 18ga doesn't take much more effort to bend, store or lift. But, when you get started to beating, shrinking and shaping; it is a whole different ball game. 19 gauge is the real deal.
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Old 03-20-2013, 08:55 AM
James Bowler James Bowler is offline
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18 Ga. = .0478 19Ga =.0418 20 Ga. =.0359 The reason it is called Gauge is there is a tolerance . Dont know how much it is but i use 18 because i can get it fast . But i have gotten 18 anywhere from .050- .042 they tend to run on the thin side . sometimes it is soft and sometimes hard . Best advise measure it when you buy it and bend the corner to see how soft it is . I use 20 ga. for lighter stuff like fill panels and unstructural things . 18 for outer skin and patch panels .
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Old 03-20-2013, 05:44 PM
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The material is for a patch on the floor for a Astro van. The GM original was as I understand it was 19 gauge.To find that around here is akin to look for teeth in chickens.And then very $$$$$$$$

Do you think I am giving up that much by using 20 gauge??. The other part is if I used 18 gauge,the 19 gauge original was impart a crush panel in a crash.
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Old 03-20-2013, 05:48 PM
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I use mostly 18 for interior panels or exterior when 18 was the OEM choice. 19 was the material of choice in the late 30's thru late 50's for exterior panels and so i use a lot of that. 20 was used for interior panels with no structural needs and so I have some in stock put do not use it regularly. 20 is like butter comparied to 18. I also work with 16 and 15 for structural items like floor supports. Work with 16 for a week and then use some 20, I always end up overworking the 20 and making junk.

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Old 03-21-2013, 12:02 AM
HMCFab9 HMCFab9 is offline
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I'd think 18 would be fine.
20 may be a little light, but if it's not a big area & you already have it, i'd use it.
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