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Old 08-20-2016, 01:29 PM   #21
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Don't they fabricate rockets or something like that in Shreveport? Maybe you're looking at the sheets of inconel. ;)

Way up in the greater Seattle area I can get 4'x10' 20 gauge for $55/sheet (just mild steel, no coating). Electrogalv is like $65/ea if you can find it.

Look for bulk suppliers, the ones that feed the small metal shops or roofing companies in the area. Be prepared to buy all the sheets at once (like 10) and have a flat bed truck so its no issue for them. You'll find good deals that way.



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I'd prefer metal myself. But at $150 a sheet I'm looking at ALOT of money

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Old 08-20-2016, 04:28 PM   #22
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Hey Aaron, I don't mean to hijack this thread with this question but where do you get your square tubing/around how much $?
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Old 08-21-2016, 12:49 AM   #23
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Metal supermarkets in kent for the quantities i used. They give a price break if you buy more.

When I got the steel sheet for the sides (roof raise) i asked for pricing and it was higher than i wanted.

Then I looked at the pallet the sheets came on - American Steel, like a mile down the road.

I bought 12 sheets of 4x10@$55 sheet (in 2014)

You need to bring a proper truck that can just lower the pallet onto (so a big flatbed truck) and do their account dance etc. Its worth the little bit of extra effort.

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Hey Aaron, I don't mean to hijack this thread with this question but where do you get your square tubing/around how much $?
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Old 08-21-2016, 10:44 AM   #24
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Big box stores are NOT the place to buy steel. The prices are 3-4 times what you will pay at a real steel supply.
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Old 08-21-2016, 11:04 AM   #25
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sometimes you can get square tubing and sheet steel at an HVAC supply ouse.. a major one...

it used ot be thast these guys would only sell to wholesalers but more and mnore of them will sell to individuals for parts like metal and pipe, hardware, etc... a lot of people are getting fed up with consumer store prices and these sales guys get commissions even on small orders.. every penny adds up so they will often write accounts for individuals.. tey just have to charge you sales tax because you arent buying it for resale... most of their computer systems are set up to do this now.. whereas in the past they werent..
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Old 08-21-2016, 11:10 AM   #26
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One more note regarding "skin"...you are best served by matching the existing skin gauge which is typically 15 to 16 gauge. (the 15 is an oddball but speced by a number of builders including older Blue Birds. A little thicker than 16 but not quite 14 for whatever reason.
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Old 08-21-2016, 03:34 PM   #27
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Originally Posted by aaronsb View Post
Metal supermarkets in kent for the quantities i used. They give a price break if you buy more.

When I got the steel sheet for the sides (roof raise) i asked for pricing and it was higher than i wanted.

Then I looked at the pallet the sheets came on - American Steel, like a mile down the road.

I bought 12 sheets of 4x10@$55 sheet (in 2014)

You need to bring a proper truck that can just lower the pallet onto (so a big flatbed truck) and do their account dance etc. Its worth the little bit of extra effort.
Nice! Thank you for the tip, I'll check out the metal supermarkets. I ended up getting my 4x10 18 gauge galvannealed sheets from pacific metals around $65(including tax) a sheet I believe. I was quotes $60 a few weeks prior but I guess the metal prices fluctuate.
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Old 08-21-2016, 06:50 PM   #28
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In my area, steel is typically priced by the pound.
I called the only few places in my neck of the woods.
I found a supplier for sheet steel that got me a 18g 4x8 for about $40 a sheet.
The supplier made a mistake when I ordered and only had 4x10 18g sheets.
So, I got two extra feet for free.
Thus far, having to reskin the entire exterior of my bus and a lot of extra materials I am up to about $1,000.
1" tubing came in 24 foot lengths and I believe they were $24 or $28 per tube. I just ordered 1.25" tubing for the ribs and roof lift and they were about $30 a length.
Compare that to $8 or $10 per three foot section from a big box store.

Now, a wood exterior no.
I cant imagine it would hold up well at all and be extreme heavy.
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Old 08-21-2016, 06:55 PM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by New2Skool View Post
In my area, steel is typically priced by the pound.
I called the only few places in my neck of the woods.
I found a supplier for sheet steel that got me a 18g 4x8 for about $40 a sheet.
The supplier made a mistake when I ordered and only had 4x10 18g sheets.
So, I got two extra feet for free.
Thus far, having to reskin the entire exterior of my bus and a lot of extra materials I am up to about $1,000.
1" tubing came in 24 foot lengths and I believe they were $24 or $28 per tube. I just ordered 1.25" tubing for the ribs and roof lift and they were about $30 a length.
Compare that to $8 or $10 per three foot section from a big box store.

Now, a wood exterior no.
I cant imagine it would hold up well at all and be extreme heavy.
I'll have to keep shopping around then. On the subject of weight, the wood would be lighter by about a third if I used birch.

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Old 08-22-2016, 04:36 PM   #30
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Well guys I did some more digging and found a place with 16 gauge for $50 per sheet. 4'x8'

So that's what I'm gonna go with.


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Old 08-22-2016, 08:30 PM   #31
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Quick note if you end up with galvanized then you have to clean the coating/film off of it or it won't hold paint very long.
Just use some white vinegar and a rag to clean it before paint.
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Old 08-22-2016, 08:52 PM   #32
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Roger that...galvanized absolutely MUST be etched before paint will adhere. And it usually takes more than just vinegar.
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Old 08-22-2016, 08:53 PM   #33
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Yep. Or even better- use some ospho if you have some. It works well on galv to prep for paint.
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