Rack:steel sheet question

I am fabricating a steel rack, but was wondering what gauge sheet those who have done the same use? The width of 3 - 16 guage was soo heavy so I made one top with 18 gauge which seems nice but I am hoping to get away with 20 gauge.

It seems thick enough to prevent cuts at vent holes after powder coat...any suggestions? I am using 1x1, 16 ga tube.

I built mine out of 16 gauge, and yes, it's definitely heavy. :P

Sorry I can't help answer your question but please post pics!

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Originally Posted by chromeitout

Sorry I can't help answer your question but please post pics!

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I'll post some pics when it is finished, but here is where I would really like to use 20 gauge. This is 18 gauge.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...oo/racktop.jpg

Are you using galvaneel to avoid having to paint it? Nasty stuff. :D 20 gauge would probably be ok as long as you use something across the front to keep it from sagging. You could probably get away with de-burring the holes using a countersink on the underside and just leaving the top side alone. I know whenever we do anything with 20 gauge at my shop it's near impossible to get it dull on both sides of an edge because of how thin it is.

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Originally Posted by m00kfu

Are you using galvaneel to avoid having to paint it? Nasty stuff. :D 20 gauge would probably be ok as long as you use something across the front to keep it from sagging. You could probably get away with de-burring the holes using a countersink on the underside and just leaving the top side alone. I know whenever we do anything with 20 gauge at my shop it's near impossible to get it dull on both sides of an edge because of how thin it is.

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:) I wont be using galvanized for the actual rack, 18 was laying around in galvanized so I wanted to test it.

I bought 16 for it but it just seemed overkill. 18 seems perfect, but, it is right in between which brake i can use. If I can use 20 I can use a small box and pan. I will definately countersink the underside and deburr, thanks. I'll test out a hole on 20 with paint.

I will be welding square tube pretty much like the average rack design, so I wont get any sag. Thanks for the tips Mook! This has been really fun taking a crash coarse at the shop. My boss will put me to work anytime I stick my head in there, but Im really the bookkeeper :D

did you mig weld yours?