Gauge

[Dave]

Where can I find a chart that shows me a decimal equivalent for gauge thickness?
http://www.nssco.com/NewSteel/SpecSheets/GalvStlSht.htm

This site shows it but, there's a different decimal equiv. depending on what the stuff is made from. EG. 16 ga. hot rolled steel is .0598" while 16 ga. galvanized is .0635". Isn't gauge guage, or does it depend on what the material is? Can't we just go metric?!?!?

[El Guapo]

I tried going metric, but was hopelessly confused by my metric wrist-watch, which only had the numbers one through ten on the dial. Is it possible that the mallibilty (sp?) of the metal has something to do with the difference in metric guage?

[Dave]

I think you're metric watch is defective. It should read from 0:00 to 23:59

[NER19FC]

I just typed like a 1/2 hour answer - only to get "user not recognised" when I hit submit - when I hit "back" everything I typed was gone!! (Crap!!)

Check out http://www.precisionsheetmetal.com - go to the Technical reference section....

I'm going to forgo the long answer - Just do a search on Machinist's handbook on yahoo or something - you should get more info.... Or buy a machinists handbook (great gift idea...)

As a wise man once told me -"There is no such thing as the metric system..."

Matt

[Tom Johnson]

Dave:

Just a guess, but I'd be willing to conjecture that the specification for galvanized is base thickness (.059) plus .002 zinc on each side = .063.

Regarding metric vs. english, here's a funny trick you can play on your crew chief. Ask him to hand you a Crescent wrench, then say, "I can't use this. It's metric." Try to keep a straight face. For full comedic effect, wear a tinfoil hat.

Well, it seemed funny at the time...

[Dave]

Hi Matt, thanks for all the typing. Sorry it got lost on you.

This page has exactly what I was looking for: http://www.precisionsheetmetal.com/home/thickness.htm

Of course I wasn't happy to see that gage is different for steel and aluminum. What a screwy system.

Tom, I'd say you're right but what a screwy system.

The crescent wrech joke is grand. Where I work though we've always called them "metric" or the less PC term "Polish Wrench".

Thanks guys!