Ceiling sheet metal gauge

[mikeypj]

I will be skinning the original door so its a solid door but is still a school bus door. I wondering if i can recycle the sheetmetal from the ceiling?

 

[david.dgeorge07]

How will you see out? I’ve thought of that but you need visibility there.

 

[Tango-SKO]

I agree...you definitely need some vision in that spot so some kind of window is called for. I even added a small "curb view" window down real low. Helps a lot when ooching up next to gas pumps and such.

 

[mikeypj]

I will be cutting 4 windows in the sheet metal to match windows in the door.

 

[mikeypj]

I agree...you definitely need some vision in that spot so some kind of window is called for. I even added a small "curb view" window down real low. Helps a lot when ooching up next to gas pumps and such.

Did you create this door or just skin it?

 

[Tango-SKO]

Made from scratch. And a nightmare! The leading edge is straight but the back edge has a tiny amount of curve.

 

[mikeypj]

Made from scratch. And a nightmare! The leading edge is straight but the back edge has a tiny amount of curve.

Nice, good fit too.

 

[Tango-SKO]

Now...a warning.


If you build a proper door frame, then skin it , it should fit. And mine did. Prewfectly. But...if...after the skin is on (14 ga. in my case) you come back and cut out a big area (like that large window)...it just may crank itself out of shape due to relieving some stress across the skin.



This one did.



Maybe 3/8's of an inch now out of alignment (along the "straight" edge). Still need to correct it and still uncertain as to exactly how to go about it. A buddy at the sheetmetal shop that did the skinning thinks he can torque it back where it should be but we don't know yet. That sucker took a couple of months (and a fair amount of $$$) to build so I am reeeaaally hoping we can correct it.


Wish me luck.

 

[mikeypj]

Now...a warning.


If you build a proper door frame, then skin it , it should fit. And mine did. Prewfectly. But...if...after the skin is on (14 ga. in my case) you come back and cut out a big area (like that large window)...it just may crank itself out of shape due to relieving some stress across the skin.



This one did.



Maybe 3/8's of an inch now out of alignment (along the "straight" edge). Still need to correct it and still uncertain as to exactly how to go about it. A buddy at the sheetmetal shop that did the skinning thinks he can torque it back where it should be but we don't know yet. That sucker took a couple of months (and a fair amount of $$$) to build so I am reeeaaally hoping we can correct it.


Wish me luck.

Good luck! Im not creating a new door. Im joining the 2 halves together. (I guess that could be called a new door). Luckily i have a friend who is a sheet metal worker(tinner). I may just run a 8" piece down the middle front and back. Glue and bolt it on and be good to go.. im guessing the ceiling metal is 14-16 gauge, so im going to use it. In a perfect world skinning it is the correct way to do this, but it isnt a perfect world..lol

 

[mikeypj]

Now...a warning.


If you build a proper door frame, then skin it , it should fit. And mine did. Prewfectly. But...if...after the skin is on (14 ga. in my case) you come back and cut out a big area (like that large window)...it just may crank itself out of shape due to relieving some stress across the skin.



This one did.



Maybe 3/8's of an inch now out of alignment (along the "straight" edge). Still need to correct it and still uncertain as to exactly how to go about it. A buddy at the sheetmetal shop that did the skinning thinks he can torque it back where it should be but we don't know yet. That sucker took a couple of months (and a fair amount of $$$) to build so I am reeeaaally hoping we can correct it.


Wish me luck.

Does your door have body contours your trying to match?

 

[Tango-SKO]

Ya...nothing on this sucker is square and the door was a royal beotch to get this far. The transition from one straight edge to a curved one made for some long days...and nights.

 

[mikeypj]

Ya...nothing on this sucker is square and the door was a royal beotch to get this far. The transition from one straight edge to a curved one made for some long days...and nights.

I bet..lol..but think of how nice it will look when its all finished. Plus the sense of accomplishment!