Rack:steel sheet question

[MTovar]

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.

[m00kfu]

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

[chromeitout]

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

[MTovar]

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

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.

[m00kfu]

Are you using galvaneel to avoid having to paint it? Nasty stuff. 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.

[MTovar]

Are you using galvaneel to avoid having to paint it? Nasty stuff. 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.

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

did you mig weld yours?