Where do you guys normally get your aluminum material - Home Depot, Lowes, specialty supplier?

Be needing some stuff for door and floor panels soon.

I bought some from a local welding supply house. I brought in the templates I made in cardboard and they cut it for me (increased the cost about 50% but was worth it).

Mario (I think this is you, anyway)
There are some suppliers in the area, but most would ship on a truck on a pallet (That's how all of our sheetmetal deliveries are made). You might be able to pick up material, otherwise, though.
Another option (if you're not in a huge hurry) is to make cardboard templates exactly how you'd like them and maybe we could quote finished product pieces for you.... No scrap for you that way. (We're pretty local to Flemington, which happens to be where I grew up, actually)
Also, if you IM me and the above suggestion won't work for you, we could maybe work out us getting material for you, and you coming to pick it up in more manageable pieces.
Good to see you at the Glen if this is you.
-Geoff

Depends on how much you need. Sears hardware usually has more then HD. But it's very easy to order from Dillsburg. No website. You need to call them for a price sheet. Once you are comfortable with working through them, it can't be beat. 717 432 4589

Also, as was said above, check your local welder, iron shop. I get small stuff from there all the time, but do pay a bit more. You do need to learn the different types though. Some is just to brittle to bend and can't really be welded. I'm no expert, but the learning process is fun.

By the way, Dillsburg does UPS if it fits. Get's it to you in a day or two.

Scrap and recycle yards.
I buy my aluminum be it sheet, tube, or angle for $2.25 a pound.
You may need to search a bit, but it's out there.

There are online suppliers too, even for relatively small quantities. I think I used onlinemetals.com.

also, check with your local sign shops. We use .040 and .080 aluminum, Alumalite and polys all the time.

Mario (I think this is you, anyway)
There are some suppliers in the area, but most would ship on a truck on a pallet (That's how all of our sheetmetal deliveries are made). You might be able to pick up material, otherwise, though.
Another option (if you're not in a huge hurry) is to make cardboard templates exactly how you'd like them and maybe we could quote finished product pieces for you.... No scrap for you that way. (We're pretty local to Flemington, which happens to be where I grew up, actually)
Also, if you IM me and the above suggestion won't work for you, we could maybe work out us getting material for you, and you coming to pick it up in more manageable pieces.
Good to see you at the Glen if this is you.
-Geoff


Geoff,

yes its me. I will probably make cardboard templates. Im looking for just enough material to door the doors and maybe some thicker 1/8" for the floor. For the floor, worst case I'll cut up some 3/8 or 1/2 ply.

Time wise, Im looking for something before the end of the month,as that is the GVC Club Race /School. But preferably in the next two weeks Since my car isnt a race car, yet, I dont know If they will balk at uncovered doors.

Where in Flemington did you live?




Fellows, thank you for the input. Geatly appreciated and it simplifies my search. Goeff, I will I/M you.

www.MetalExpress.com

Great online vendor for small quantities in all manner of material sizes and alloys.

McMaster-Carr. They have various grades and sizes. Located in New Brunswick, NJ.

www.mcmaster.com
732-329-3200

Christopher

Try this link http://www.metalsupermarkets.com/ Its a franchise and they have lots a places. Check if they have one near you.

Since my car isnt a race car, yet, I dont know If they will balk at uncovered doors.

I think you just need to pass "DE tech" for the racing school.

I think you just need to pass "DE tech" for the racing school.

True.

I'm going to be fabricating an aluminum floor pan as well.

What thickness do you guys recommend for that application?

I'm going to be fabricating an aluminum floor pan as well.

What thickness do you guys recommend for that application?

Seems to me I used ~1/8".

Jay

Thanks Jay! :thumbup: That came out pretty nice!

So 1/8in would be sturdy enough but remain pliable enough to form if needed?

How'd you go about fastening it down? I see screws/bolts but what are they going into?

Thanks again.

I doubt you'd "form" 1/8". Mine's completely flat.

On the driver's side I left one of the plastic wire covers in there so it sits on top of that. There's a large pop rivet at the top edge a few inches left of the gas pedal. At the rear left there's a screw, probably with a spacer under between the floor pan and aluminum plate. Can't remember if it's a sheet metal screw into the floor pan or a screw with nut going thru the floor pan.

On the pass side I fabbed a brace using aluminum channel to go under the plate. Again, pop rivets holding it in place.

I'm pretty much of a back yard mechanic. I'm not used to having modern technology. It looks decent, stays in place and does what it's supposed to.

Get yourself some cardboard and start cutting. Once you have the pattern, it's pretty easy from there.

Jay

VAC makes some nice floor pans out of corregated aluminum that I used. They look pretty good!

VAC makes some nice floor pans out of corregated aluminum that I used. They look pretty good!

Yea but for $200+ I'd rather fabricate my own. Unless there's a hidden, cheaper alternative that I haven't seen...

Plus I haven't had a project on the car in a long while.

I doubt you'd "form" 1/8". Mine's completely flat.

On the driver's side I left one of the plastic wire covers in there so it sits on top of that. There's a large pop rivet at the top edge a few inches left of the gas pedal. At the rear left there's a screw, probably with a spacer under between the floor pan and aluminum plate. Can't remember if it's a sheet metal screw into the floor pan or a screw with nut going thru the floor pan.

On the pass side I fabbed a brace using aluminum channel to go under the plate. Again, pop rivets holding it in place.

I'm pretty much of a back yard mechanic. I'm not used to having modern technology. It looks decent, stays in place and does what it's supposed to.

Get yourself some cardboard and start cutting. Once you have the pattern, it's pretty easy from there.

Jay

Thanks for the picture and the post, Jay. Mind showing us what you have covering your doors?

I picked up my floor board material yesterday. Cool thing is that I already paid for it. I will consider this a State Tax Rebate :D

Paid a visit to my local NJDOT depot yesterday. Asked if they had any scrap aluminum I could have for a "project".

Fellow said, sure, big dumpster (30ft) on the right.

A few minutes later I walked out with this.

1/8" thick road signs :alright

I love recycling :evil2

http://www.dtmotorsports.com/~tiato/materials.jpg

Bimmerworld sells pretty nice laser cut door panels if you are looking for an easy way out!

Bimmerworld sells pretty nice laser cut door panels if you are looking for an easy way out!

anyone have pics/info of these installed?

Thanks for the picture and the post, Jay. Mind showing us what you have covering your doors?

Also mostly homemade. I got some help with the break and some of the shearing. Much cleaner/easier to do it with the proper equipment.

Jay

www.MetalExpress.com

Great online vendor for small quantities in all manner of material sizes and alloys.
Fast and cheap. They were great for me.

Not sure I have any unpainted, but it is a mill finish.

Here are a few pics. They are a mill aluminum finish.

Do you guys remove the felt for the window glass? My panels are off and gone, but I still have the glass (I have an open trailer). If I pull the felts will the windows slap against the metal?

Where do you guys normally get your aluminum material - Home Depot, Lowes, specialty supplier?

Be needing some stuff for door and floor panels soon.

I see you are in Flemington, NJ. I'm in Bethlehem, PA and I buy all of my aluminum from Bethlehem Aluminum. They will sell to anybody but I don't know if they take credit cards. I know that they take my business checks and other people I know have paid with personal checks. In a nutshell, you don't need a tax ID number to buy from them.

I did a search and found that you are about 50 miles from Bethlehem Aluminum but if you know what you need, order it and take a trip to Allentown and pick it up.

Also, you can get smaller pieces from McMaster Carr. You are only about 30 miles from Dayton, NJ and you can actually go there and pick up your order (especially if you order something big that's expensive to ship). The building is hard to find as the only sign outside their big brown building says, "Will Call". Even if you need to have it shipped, you are no more than one day away from them on shipping. Even for me, if I place an order on Monday by 12pm, it'll be at my door at 2pm on Tuesday

www.bethlehemaluminum.com (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/www.bethlehemaluminum.com)

I get my alum. sheet from the metal yard........any local metal supply store should have them. First look in the "remnants pile" if you don't find anythign suitable you can buy a sheet.

here my door skins.....

http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/get_thumbs_on_fly.php?imgid=2922&nw=640&nh=480

http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/get_thumbs_on_fly.php?imgid=2923&nw=640&nh=480

http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/get_thumbs_on_fly.php?imgid=2933&nw=640&nh=480

http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/get_thumbs_on_fly.php?imgid=3371&nw=640&nh=480

Does that air shear or whatever it's called make those nice clean cuts? If so, I need one of those.

Jay


I get my alum. sheet from the metal yard........any local metal supply store should have them. First look in the "remnants pile" if you don't find anythign suitable you can buy a sheet.

here my door skins.....

http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/get_thumbs_on_fly.php?imgid=2922&nw=640&nh=480

http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/get_thumbs_on_fly.php?imgid=2923&nw=640&nh=480

http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/get_thumbs_on_fly.php?imgid=2933&nw=640&nh=480

http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/v1/get_thumbs_on_fly.php?imgid=3371&nw=640&nh=480

Yes I use that air shear. I bought it from my local Harbor Freight store $19.95 on sale.

they have the one in my picture and one model with a pistol grip.

After using mine I can totally recommend you get the one with the pistol grip 100%.

like mine...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=36568
pistol grip model
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=36567


16ga. alum. is about the max. cutting thickness.....and it takes some maneuvering and force to slice thru it. AT that thickness it's not like slicing butter even tough is soft alum. It's rated for 18ga.

Thanks. HF is my home away from home :D

Jay

what gauge sheet metal is allowed by BMWCCA club racing rules?

what gauge sheet metal is allowed by BMWCCA club racing rules?

door panels = .060

door panels = .060

.060 = 16 ga. correct??