Installing alum. skin

[Moto Rick]

I am nearly ready to install the .040 alum. sheet to my home built 5' X 8' Teardrop . I am floating the sides and roof but I am concerned about attaching the skin and holding it in place while I form and install the roof edging , I have heard some folks use crown staples but have no idea how many to use or the spacing, in consideration of expansion, any recommendations would be very much appreciated.

[tony.latham]

and holding it in place while I form and install the roof edging

I've got a crown stapler and love the damn thing but I wouldn't use it on aluminum sheathing. There's too big a chance of thunking one down where it shouldn't be. (and it's possible you could get corrosion from dissimilar metals reacting with each other.)



I'll strap the top sheet down with stickers and start by screwing to the bottom/front with two or so flathead countersunk screwes. I'll do the same at the rear and avoid putting them where the holes on the hurricane hinge will be.



I'll then remove the straps and stickers and clamp the walls on. And now of course the trim can go on.



Tony

[Graniterich]

Ratchet straps and clamps, tried and true!

[halfdome, Danny]

I once saw a teardrop that the aluminum skins were stapled on, not a pretty sight.
I can't recommend how to float since all my teardrops I've contact cemented the sides and roof, without any problems, at all.
The urban legend that has floated around on this forum that it will rip your plywood holds no merit, in my opinion.
Contact cement is basically rubber and is flexible.
Danny

[Moto Rick]

Thanks for the suggestions , straps , clamps and masking tape it is.

[Alan Phillips]

All,
New to the forum and saw this thread.
My teardrop so far has a ceiling, but no roof yet.
Frank at Vintage Technologies told me to "float" the aluminum and that looks like what Tony is doing above.
When you install the trim do you put screws through the top aluminum sheet? Doesn't that stop the aluminum from floating?
BTW, I'm using Tony's book and liking it!

[tony.latham]

Doesn't that stop the aluminum from floating?

The sheet still "floats" between the attachment points --trim, hinge, doors, fan, etc.





Tony

[Alan Phillips]

Thanks Tony

[nrhmaine]

I'm thinking thoughts this afternoon, which can be troublesome, and I started to wonder - If I'm floating the aluminum skin over a skeletonized 3/4" plywood wall frame, then what's the 1/8" okume outer skin doing for me?

Any thoughts on this? What function does the outer plywood serve under a floated aluminum wall skin? (0.040 aluminum). Would it be crazy to save $300 and 80 pounds by skipping that layer?

No experience - just thoughts! I'm sure there's a reason you all have included the inner skin, so please, set me straight!

Thanks,
Nate

[tony.latham]

What function does the outer plywood serve...?

It turns the wall into a torsion box. A sandwiched wall without the sheathing on both sides is a lot weaker.



Tony

[nrhmaine]

Ah yes, that makes sense. Thanks Tony.


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