Aluminum skin thickness?

[jonw]

I've used both a jigsaw (with metal cutting blade) and aviation shears with great success on .040 aluminum.

The jigsaw worked especially well when I needed to cut a few pieces of 1/8in and 3/16in aluminum bar.

[Javanino]

I'm thinking of giving that VHB tape a try on a couple of seams. Can anyone recommend a good place to purchase? Also, is there a difference between UHB and VHB? The same way there's a difference between VHF and UHF

[halfdome, Danny]

I'm thinking of giving that VHB tape a try on a couple of seams. Can anyone recommend a good place to purchase? Also, is there a difference between UHB and VHB? The same way there's a difference between VHF and UHF

Shop around as VHB tape can vary significantly in price on the Internet.
Here's some useful information.
More information
Be patient it takes awhile to load. Danny

[halfdome, Danny]

http://www.rshughes.com/catalog/351723.html

Application Guidelines Depending on the substrates to be bonded, one of four possible surface preparation
techniques will be required:
1) Good cleaning with a 50:50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol* and water to
remove contaminants; or
2) Fine abrading of surface followed by good cleaning with a 50:50 mixture
of isopropyl alcohol and water; or
3) Good cleaning with a 50:50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water
followed by application of an adhesion promoter; or
4) Fine abrading of surface followed by good cleaning with a 50:50 mixture
of isopropyl alcohol and water followed by application of an adhesion
promoter.
Ideal tape application is accomplished when temperature is between 70° and 100°F
(21° and 38°C) and the bond is allowed to dwell 72 hours. Tape application to
surfaces at temperatures below 60°F (15°C) is generally not recommended.
However, on some surfaces with some surface preparations, applications at
temperatures lower than 60°F (15°C) may be acceptable. Once properly applied,
low temperature holding is generally satisfactory.
Bond strength is dependent upon the amount of adhesive-to-surface contact
developed. Firm application pressure develops better adhesive contact and helps
improves bond strength. The tape should experience at least 15 psi (100 kPa)
pressure or 15 pounds (3.4 N) downward force with a heavy duty roller.
Further surface preparation and application bonding information, including
guidelines for bonding at temperatures below 60°F (15°C), is available in the
following 3M Technical Bulletins or visit: http://www.3M.com/vhb:
Panel Bonding Procedure using 3M™ VHB™ Tape
Surface Preparation for 3M™ VHB™ Tape Applications]

[chorizon]

If you are near austin you need to brush up on your google and phone book skills try westbrook metals and if you want colored aluminum contact the trailer manufacturer in waco and you can get it any length and 49" wide with a wide assortment of colors and I got it for around 9 a running foot when I bought some last year. They are Continental Cargo and look for the contact information for waco and give them a call if that width works for you.

Ahh.....there lies the problem young Skywalker. Tons of places have 49". I want seamless from the front to the back so I need long unlimited coils. Worth the drive or whatever. I think I may have found a place that sells 103" wide as long as you want in San Antonio but I won't know for sure until Monday.

To be continued......

Sounds like a 60 X 120 sheet of 5052 would suit your purpose just fine.

There are plenty of places that have this around Austin.

PM me if you're serious; there are a couple of details to work out.

As far as cutting the aluminum goes, I use a 4kW Laser, but that's just me...



OK that's actually plywood for the sides, but here is the aluminum that covered it.

[dkrasko]

Shears, routers, jigsaws...not one seems to be the perfect tool for trimming aluminum skin. I found a solution that makes trimming a dream. I use my Sonic Oscillating Saw. Its like shearing wool of a lamp with perfect precision. I purchased mine for 79 dollars at Sears. Make sure you get a variable speed. My unit hand a speed range of 1-6 and I found 3 worked perfect. It is the tool to own if you are building a teardrop!

[ioan]

At Danny's advice, I used a router with a straight flush trim, bottom bearing bit and I'm very happy with the results.
It was my first time ever using a router, so no experience needed. Just don't forget to put some masking tape over the aluminum where the router slides, to protect it from scratches (I didn't use the tape and now I have few scratches).

[camptyler]

A little off topic but can anyone offer any polishing tips? I am to the point now where I am wrapping up my electrical and getting ready to buy my 5' wide mill sheets for the roof. I will probably get a standard alloy like 5052 since I haven't been able to find 2024 alclad type aluminum 5' wide. Do I need to buy one of those crazy Cyclo Polisher's and Nuvite to get the really nice "mirror" finish? Also, other than "alclad" aluminum does anyone have any alloy advice?
Thanks a ton,
Tyler

[jonw]

Do I need to buy one of those crazy Cyclo Polisher's and Nuvite to get the really nice "mirror" finish? Also, other than "alclad" aluminum does anyone have any alloy advice?
Thanks a ton,
Tyler

Nuvite apparently is the way to go it you want a mirror finish, and you'll need to keep it polished or it will begin go dull. The cyclo polisher is the easiest tool to use for the job but you can get by with a simple Sears dual-action orbital polisher.

I've decided I like the look of matte aluminum...

[Javanino]

What about scratches on your aluminum. Any of you know of ways to buff out the scratches once you get them? It's inevitable that you're going to acquire scratches over time.

[camptyler]

What about scratches on your aluminum. Any of you know of ways to buff out the scratches once you get them? It's inevitable that you're going to acquire scratches over time.

The way I understand it, the deeper the scratch the rougher grit sand paper or Nuvite you need to start with. Then work backwards until you are back to a super fine polish. I am planning on one good polish every year and just touch up stuff in between. Time will tell.