Hi.
What is the gauge of the steel for fenders. If it matters, the model is a 1927 Coupe.
I am measuring about 0.033", which translates to a 21-gauge, but (for some reason) I thought it would be 18 gauge (0.0478")
Thanks.
Dennis.
Good question.
I was told that the reproduction fenders from Rootlieb were not as thick as the originals. Don't know if that's true or not..
The metal I have measured is generally 19 gauge, both fenders and body. The Howell's sheet metal parts are typically 20 gauge, you can really tell the difference. Since 19 gauge steel is fairly hard to come by, I am using 18 gauge for the repair/replacement parts I make.
Ron Dupree
Thanks.
I guess the fenders are a little thin, then.
Thin tin, then???
Ron is correct, Ford, and much of the auto industry of the time used a lot of 19 gauge. When I first measured some early tin I came up with 19 gauge and thought maybe I was getting bad readings because 19 gauge is an odd size by today's standards. To confirm my findings I weighed some body panels, measured the area and and looked at my steel weights chart. The weight per square foot fell exactly between 18 and 20 gauge. I used 18 gauge to make the new panels.
When I first bought and began restoring my '26 coupe back in 1970, it was all original but very rusty. I had a large ball pein hammer sitting on top of the rear corner of the roof. As I was trying to grab for it, I accidentally lost my grip on it and it slid off the roof and hit the rusted rear right fender with a loud clang. I examined it expecting the worse, but there was not even a mark, so I wouldn't classify the steel as "thin".
The lower the gauge number, the thicker the steel: 20ga.=.0359"; 19ga.=.0418"; 18ga.=.0478". If I had to guess, I would say that the fender steel is about 3/64" or .046" thick.
I have seen old Ford newsreels where the Model T fenders are shaped in a giant press with male and female forms which shapes them in one smash of the press. If they started off with 18ga. plate, it is possible that the 18ga. is slightly thinned to around 19 plus ga. by the pressure of the massive press. Jim Patrick
This is all helpful. I checked a little further and the fender that I am repairing appears to be 19 gauge, while the fender I am using for a patch appears to be 21 gauge. I think that I am setting myself up for a bout of wailing, weeping, et cetera if I use a different thickness.
Your thoughts?
Thanks.