Expanded metaal sheeting

[ism minerals]

Just purchased some 3/4''-9 expanded metal sheets for a solar panel top roof rack. Has anyone used this on the roof rack and did it feel spongy? The salesman sad landscapers use it for their trailers all the time. I looked at some online tables and seems I may need less than 24'' span for a concentrated load say for a couple of people up there.

[musigenesis]

I used 3/4"-9 to build my bed platform, and it needed bracing every foot and a half to not feel spongey when used under a mattress. For a platform people are walking around on, I wouldn't want a span to be any more than one foot (and possibly even less).

[ism minerals]

Rusty thank you! After looking at the span tables it had me concerned, and hence the question. I think that is going to be be a lot of extra work that I really do not want to do. The only had a small sample of it for me to look at, hopefully I can get it changed out to a thicker material.

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

also look at using galvanized metal.
black steel painted in a few years will leave rust stains ran down the roof and sides of your bus even if painted every year because you want be able to get to every bit of it to clean and paint every with out removing it.
next time you are out and about look at the work trucks you pass by with a pipe/ladder rack and you will see rust stains on the ones with steel racks that havent been taken care of.

[turf]

i've used expanded metal tables in greenhouses before. generally they just sit on top of the table frame and are not attached. the tables are 6' X 100' with spans about every 2'.

a big guy like me can walk across them, but if you get near an edge, you'll punch the expanded metal panel thru the supports.

as a newbie welder many years ago, i built a trailer with expanded metal and had mixed results. if i tightened up the span and put lots of welds on the expanded metal, it was fine strengthwise. Being a newbie welder - i burned thru a lot of that expanded metal before i got what i wanted. attaching thin to thick is harder than i was expecting.

[ism minerals]

Originally Posted by Jolly Roger bus 223

also look at using galvanized metal.
black steel painted in a few years will leave rust stains ran down the roof and sides of your bus even if painted every year because you want be able to get to every bit of it to clean and paint every with out removing it.
next time you are out and about look at the work trucks you pass by with a pipe/ladder rack and you will see rust stains on the ones with steel racks that havent been taken care of.

Thank you I was thinking about that, but they do not have any in stock so it would be a custom order, I am wondering how the cold galvanization coatings would work or maybe some 2 part urethane bed liner?

[ism minerals]

Originally Posted by turf

i've used expanded metal tables in greenhouses before. generally they just sit on top of the table frame and are not attached. the tables are 6' X 100' with spans about every 2'.

a big guy like me can walk across them, but if you get near an edge, you'll punch the expanded metal panel thru the supports.

as a newbie welder many years ago, i built a trailer with expanded metal and had mixed results. if i tightened up the span and put lots of welds on the expanded metal, it was fine strengthwise. Being a newbie welder - i burned thru a lot of that expanded metal before i got what i wanted. attaching thin to thick is harder than i was expecting.

Thank you! Totally new welder here, luckily the metals are similar in thickness, so hopefully that will not be an issue. I will have some help that has welded before, so hopefully It does not get too messed up.

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

in my experience everything galvanized once cut they are not treated anymore and the spray cold galv only last for so long according to its placement.
i might sound like a butthead?
but i am trying to sell jobs to the govt right now that we used unistrut galvainized from the factory.
of course not ordered to length for each peice because i need and buy 20' lengths of galvi.
once cut its noy galvi it coated and the ends are steel to rust and a paint can hide it but it will not last?
it will but you get some pretty rust stains if you think ahead and direct the water to where you want it?
and yes for you OP i

[Veloc]

Originally Posted by ism minerals

Thank you! Totally new welder here, luckily the metals are similar in thickness, so hopefully that will not be an issue. I will have some help that has welded before, so hopefully It does not get too messed up.

Before welding on galvanized metal, read up on it. That stuff will mess your lungs up fast, the first time you weld on it, if you don't take proper precautions.

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

Originally Posted by Veloc

Before welding on galvanized metal, read up on it. That stuff will mess your lungs up fast, the first time you weld on it, if you don't take proper precautions.

i would recommend bolting together where you can.
welding galvanized burns the coating off and the cold galvanized paint doesnt last forever.
weld in a well ventilated area and have some milk on hand if your stomach starts churning.

[sportyrick]

U won't be happy with hot rolled steel up there, like stated earlier it's gonna rust no matter what you do and leave rust stains down the sides of your bus. Galvanized is your only option except maybe aluminum and that will cost you.