Thread: Corrugated Iron - History

My mother died recently and dad, who was a carpenter/builder of 50 years, died in 2001.
I'm in the process of clearing out the house and backyard.

I found 16 sheets of what looks exactly like corrugated iron roof sheeting. They're approximately 185 cm long by 80 cm wide and heavily galvanised.

Here's the thing. Each sheet is 2 mm thick and weighs 23 kg. I cannot lift 2 sheets. There is evidence of concrete splattered on many of the sheets.

Was it a product used for formwork (deep trenches maybe?) many years ago? Not intended for roofs..surely?

Cheers,
Graeme.

Originally Posted by Sawmaster

My mother died recently and dad, who was a carpenter/builder of 50 years, died in 2001.
I'm in the process of clearing out the house and backyard.

I found 16 sheets of what looks exactly like corrugated iron roof sheeting. They're approximately 185 cm long by 80 cm wide and heavily galvanised.

Here's the thing. Each sheet is 2 mm thick and weighs 23 kg. I cannot lift 2 sheets. There is evidence of concrete splattered on many of the sheets.

Was it a product used for formwork (deep trenches maybe?) many years ago? Not intended for roofs..surely?

Cheers,
Graeme.

Graeme,

It is possible they were used as a shute to pour concrete. I have worked on houses years ago where the house was built on a steep block and when there were footings or slabs to be poured (I am talking pre concrete trucks and pumps here) and the sand, gravel and cement was delivered and left at street level. The concrete was mixed in a large mixer and poured down shutes of corrugated iron to where it had to go.
Another use was forming up bathroom and laundry floors but the sheets stayed there.
The sheets in those days were a much heavier grade than is used now.

No doubt others will have other suggestions.

Colin.

you used to be able to get different thicknesses of corrugated iron.

Here in NZ 50 or so years ago corrugated roofing iron ( actually rolled steel) was about 22 gauge. The sheets were about 7-8 feet long and 2'6" wide .
Much of it was imported from Aussie .
Sounds like the stuff you have there

Now that is the good old gal stuff. I'm fairly sure you will find that on a roof somewhere. I have heard, some of the modern (for want of a better word) colourbond stuff has a paint coating thicker than the metal itself.

Nev

used to come in 6,8 or 10' lengths.

back when things were done right the first time. and made from real materials.

Originally Posted by weisyboy

used to come in 6,8 or 10' lengths.

back when things were done right the first time. and made from real materials.

Back in the day when nobody could have lifted a sheet of LongRun without a crane , so they didn't invent it yet

Originally Posted by weisyboy

you used to be able to get different thicknesses of corrugated iron.

Still can

0.42mm or 0.48mm

Those culverts under rail lines in the Pilbara that you can drive your car through are made out of 5mm rolled Galv sheets. The big bastards ones are made in sections and bolted together using big galv bolts, washers and nuts. It isn't roofing but it comes from the same design. Have seen smaller culverts rolled out of 3mm flat Galv sheet by a mobile factory mounted on the back of a semi for a rail line extension back in the late eighties. Impressive to watch it being done.

DD

Originally Posted by .RC.

Still can

0.42mm or 0.48mm

Tin foil ?

Apologies for the tardy thanks. Thank you!

The concrete was mixed in a large mixer and poured down shutes of corrugated iron to where it had to go.

Interesting. Sadly I'll never know what he used them for. He welded some handles to the sheets which if anything demonstrates how thick they are.

Cheers.
Graeme.

How about some more photos .
Ones with a view of the whole thing

Originally Posted by Sawmaster

Apologies for the tardy thanks. Thank you!

Interesting. Sadly I'll never know what he used them for. He welded some handles to the sheets which if anything demonstrates how thick they are.

Cheers.
Graeme.

Makes me wonder if it was used as a lid on something and yes....in those days Gal Iron was very heavy gauge.

Colin.