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One more time.....................Thickness of patch steel

Started by Jack Miller CLC# 24441, February 23, 2009, 04:38:08 PM

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Jack Miller CLC# 24441

Sorry All,

With my dad's illness and passing this month I forgot wht gauge or thickness of steel should I use for the frame on my 75 Eldorado.
Is 1/8 inch steel thick enough to repair rot holes with? I am not trying to make a show car, just a safe driver. I just want to grind out the holes and then MIG over it with steel plate.
If is was a show car I would replace the frame or cut out holes and then template them to a patch, and weld and grind and paint. I did that years ago, when parts were not that available. You can't see the work if it is done correctly. I found a store near me that the thickest steel that they have is 1/8 inch.
For the trunk repair I will use donor panels and cut and weld them in.

Thanks
Jack

PS............................A Classic Cadillac that runs and is repairable should never be taken out of the world. Eventually through parts shows, Hemmings and Ebay any vehicle (and if you have time) is repairable. Once lost they can never return.

The Tassie Devil(le)

G'day Jack,

When replacing metal, always use the same thickness metal to what is being replaced.

Plus, when repairing Frames, always support the vehicle on Jack Stands under the Chassis at at least 6 points points to ensure that correct alignment is retained whilst cutting and welding.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

Mike Josephic CLC #3877

Hello Jack!

The frame, especiallly on a FWD Eldo is much thicher than 1/8 inch.  That's about
11 guage steel.  Check your shop manual or just check the thickness of your frame
where it needs to be repaired.  This info below should help you get the correct
gauge.  You will not likely find this in your local stores, but there are many places
on the internet that sell heavy guage steel in sheet and other forms.  As the previous
post stated, patching the frame with a thinner product is not recommended for
safety reasons.

See chart below.  The first number is the guage, the second equivalent in inches, the third, eqivalent in millimeters (mm).

Steel Gauge to Inches & Millimeters United States Steel Gauge Inches Millimeters

6  0.2031  5.160
 
7  0.1875  4.760

8  0.1719  4.370

9  0.1563  3.970

10  0.1406  3.570

11  0.1250  3.180

12  0.1094  2.780

13  0.0938  2.380

14  0.0781  1.980

15  0.0703  1.790

16  0.0625  1.590

17  0.0563  1.430

18  0.0500  1.270

19  0.0438  1.110

20  0.0375  0.953

21  0.0344  0.873

22  0.0313  0.794

23  0.0218  0.714

24  0.0250  0.635

25  0.0219  0.556

26  0.0188  0.478

27  0.0172  0.437

28  0.0156  0.396

29  0.0141  0.358

30  0.0125  0.318

Best,

Mike

1955 Cadillac Eldorado
1973 Cadillac Eldorado
1995 Cadillac Seville
2004 Escalade
1997 GMC Suburban 4X4, 454 engine, 3/4 ton
custom built by Santa Fe in Evansville, IN
2011 Buick Lucerne CX
-------------------------------------
CLCMRC Museum Benefactor #38
Past: VP International Affiliates, Museum Board Director, President / Director Pittsburgh Region

The Tassie Devil(le)

The Chassis on my '72 Eldo Convertible is 1/8" or 0.125"

I just measured it.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

Jack Miller CLC# 24441

I just measured mine at a rot spot and it is 0.125 inch. Which is 1/8 of an inch.
I guess that I can use that on my GTO too?

Thanks
Jack