Dream to fly Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 Need to buy a sheet of .090 aluminum. What should be used for an instrument panel. 6061, 5052, etc. I need to cut a new panel but was using 6061 but a sheet now costs 1200.00. Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk Quote
carusoam Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 Joe, Thought I had a simple answer... Instead, I got the entire history of aluminum alloys that are available and what the names mean... http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/mepages/aluminfo.php -a- Quote
Dream to fly Posted August 23, 2018 Author Report Posted August 23, 2018 Joe, Thought I had a simple answer... Instead, I got the entire history of aluminum alloys that are available and what the names mean...http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/mepages/aluminfo.php -a- That is what I found. 6061 is 1200.00 for a 4x12 ft sheet. I need a 4x4 to finish this and another project. I'm still not sure why an 12 gauge sheet is so muchSent from my E6810 using Tapatalk Quote
carusoam Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 Try this resource to see if there is any detail... There is an MSer with some IP skills.... http://www.hendricksmfg.com/panels.html Best regards, -a- 1 Quote
laytonl Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 When I need aluminum I buy it from onlinemetals.com because they well cut to order. Lee 1 1 Quote
Skates97 Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 This article has some good information. EAA - Making Your Instrument Panel Quote
Skates97 Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 59 minutes ago, laytonl said: When I need aluminum I buy it from onlinemetals.com because they well cut to order. Lee Thanks, I think I will do some measuring and order some pieces to fill in the gaps where stuff came out of my center stack. Right now I just have some plastic filling in the gaps but that would clean it back up nicely. Quote
carusoam Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 One of the side benefits of the EAA... They make Solidworks available to their members... Panel layouts with good cadcam software is a breeze? test your construction with an acrylic sheet... saw this when @steven757 (?) can’t find Stephen’s screen name today.... did his O panel... When everything is perfect... then cut your 1.2amu alu sheet... collect new hardware and panel shock adsorbers... LED lights and a proper dimmer... Best regards, -a- 1 Quote
Steve W Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 I usually buy my totally-not-used-on-aircraft Aluminium from McMaster Carr, good selection, fast shipping. Quote
Andy95W Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 Joe- I used this for my panel 2 years ago. One piece 2'x4' would be enough for your whole panel with some left over. https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/mepages/alumsheet_6061t6.php .090" 2'x4' costs $53. Quote
RLCarter Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 I don't see $1200.00, shows $316.00.....4x4 is $104.00 Quote
Andy95W Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 I forgot to add the Aircraft Spruce link: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/mepages/alumsheet_6061t6.php Quote
Dream to fly Posted August 23, 2018 Author Report Posted August 23, 2018 I don't see $1200.00, shows $316.00.....4x4 is $104.00 My local machine shop I think is way out of line.Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk Quote
RLCarter Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 2 hours ago, Dream to fly said: My local machine shop I think is way out of line. Go through Aircraft Spruce.... A 4x12 sheet would come Motor Freight and almost guaranteed to be damaged some how, you only need a 4x4. Would (2) 2x4 pieces work? If so it might be cheaper on shipping Quote
Dream to fly Posted August 23, 2018 Author Report Posted August 23, 2018 Go through Aircraft Spruce.... A 4x12 sheet would come Motor Freight and almost guaranteed to be damaged some how, you only need a 4x4. Would (2) 2x4 pieces work? If so it might be cheaper on shipping Just talked to the machine shop apparently they typed in the wrong grade. I've got the right price now 4x4 sheet 229.00. That's what I've paid the last few projects not sure what the secretary was quoting but this forum allowed me to question with facts that the price was a little over the top.Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk 1 Quote
RLCarter Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 7 minutes ago, Dream to fly said: Just talked to the machine shop apparently they typed in the wrong grade. I've got the right price now 4x4 sheet 229.00. That's what I've paid the last few projects not sure what the secretary was quoting but this forum allowed me to question with facts that the price was a little over the top. Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk Still twice the price as Spruce but a damn sight better than $1200.00 Quote
Hank Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 So does anyone have a CAD file for the factory C panel? I'm making a new overlay for mine, and cutting / fitting paper is a trial and error pain in the backside . . . . Nothing structural, but the black plastic piece on the left side broke into three pieces. Quote
jaylw314 Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 30 minutes ago, Dream to fly said: Just talked to the machine shop apparently they typed in the wrong grade. I've got the right price now 4x4 sheet 229.00. That's what I've paid the last few projects not sure what the secretary was quoting but this forum allowed me to question with facts that the price was a little over the top. Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk You know, Van's Aircraft in Oregon sells sheet aluminum, although AFAIK they only sell 2024-T3 sheets. IIRC, they sell it for about $50 a square foot for 0.125" and for a nominal price they will cut it to specified dimensions. You might want to consider them as well, they obviously keep a lot of it in stock. 2024-T3 may be overkill for the instrument panel, but it's certainly appropriate and is what they use for their panels in RV's Quote
Marauder Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 So does anyone have a CAD file for the factory C panel? I'm making a new overlay for mine, and cutting / fitting paper is a trial and error pain in the backside . . . . Nothing structural, but the black plastic piece on the left side broke into three pieces. Please tell us you’re not going to finally fix that panel?! We have gotten used to it!Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro 1 Quote
bonal Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 Many many years ago I worked at an aluminum wholesale company called Amalco Metals we carried many different alloys and one I remember was called mic 6 it was machined on both surfaces and had a real polished surface would look great as a panel. I can't remember what it's called but I remember the old sports cars that had aluminum panels that were swirled also a nice look Quote
bonal Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 15 minutes ago, Marauder said: Please tell us you’re not going to finally fix that panel?! We have gotten used to it! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro I thought he fixed it Quote
Hank Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 13 minutes ago, bonal said: I thought he fixed it No, I just post old pictures . . . . This is it now. It used to look nice: Sure would be easier if I had accurate locations for all of the holes! Quote
Steve W Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 3 hours ago, RLCarter said: Still twice the price as Spruce but a damn sight better than $1200.00 After shipping it'll probably end up much closer. Quote
LANCECASPER Posted August 23, 2018 Report Posted August 23, 2018 17 minutes ago, Steve W said: After shipping it'll probably end up much closer. If it's ordered through Spruce I can pass on my discount please free shipping on orders over $180. 1 Quote
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