Thread: Sheet metal projects

Hi everyone

Given that Simso has got us rolling with his his segmented folder, it won't be long before some sheet metal projects will be appearing on these pages.

I am looking forward to making my own parts drawers from sheet. I saw what must be the last of the Aussie made sets of (Rota ) drawers a while back. 12 drawers for $90 is nice to own if some one else buys it for you.


If there is any interest I can post some pics of the scratch gauges and adjustable gauges we have made for use at school. The adjustable gauge is the metal workers version of a wood workers mortise marking gauge.


Even perhaps some tips on setting and marking out sheet.I can use some of the material that was developed for the students to learn from.

What are your opinions.

Grahame

Hi Grahame
I enjoy all your posts so go for it. Having almost completed the Simso folder I am keen to put it to good use. Very keen to see the design for scratch gauges (I use a vernier at the moment).

Yes absolutely. I did a few years in a sheetmetal works after I left school and watching that folder project has brought it all back. I used to make everything out of sheetmetal back then. Now it's wood because I don't have access to all the gear any more.

I decided to make some boxes out of some zinc sheet I had lying around a few weeks ago. Didn't get very far cutting and bending by hand, but I remembered how to make a scratch gauge from a square offcut with notches for various dimensions on each corner. We had heaps of them for different jobs.

My brother in law is the local sheety now. He makes an art form of it. He put the dome on the top of this scaled down lighthouse outside the Killer Whale Museum at Eden:



It has been painted but I think it was stainless steel. Either that or copper.

A better shot of it: http://www.killerwhalemuseum.com.au/images/latest%202006%20pic.JPG

Hey Grahame

Im working on the folder too and want to make a big, decent toolchest-any suggestions about draw rollers??. Could catch about the gauges on the HTPAA? website Grahame.

Apologies for above post but using significant others laptop witout external keyboard.

Same here, with the 3' foot operated guillotine I bought at a garage sale, Simso's folder will be a perfect companion for it.

Always wanted to make my own parts drawer too as they are too bloody dear to buy

Hi guys
Scratch gauge is easy, I will bring one home from school and photograph it.

Some where in my stuff I have a drawing for some parts drawers I will dig it out. I am without scanner at the moment so getting it to you may take some doing until I get a new one.

Ball bearing roller guides are available through Lincoln Sentry but dear at around $20 a pair.There must be cheaper alternatives.

It's Fete night at school so I'm off to do my thing

catchas tomorrow

Grahame

Some blokes are really brave using their SO's keyboard. Like to live life on the edge ,do you?

For Underthumb
Or anybody making their own multi drawer toolboxes Google up Concept hardware and you will get access to a 400 page catalogue that has among things, the suitable roller slides.

Its a wholesale set up so you would have to buy 10 pairs at a time.Theres a shipload of other handy goodies like locks, catches,hinges and lid stays.

cheers
Grahame

Hi

Ball bearing roller guides are available through Lincoln Sentry but dear at around $20 a pair.There must be cheaper alternatives.

Yes, try Cornall. They have several branches via...

http://www.cornall.com.au/

I recently purchased a box of 10x 550mm full extension drawer slides less than $10 a pair. They have a broad range of drawer slides and a large range of many other woodworkers/cabinet makers needs. They have a minimum order of $50 (I think). They are a trade only supplier, but if you buy reasonable quantities I think they will supply you. ie, not just a couple of door knobs.

Try them out...

Hi Grahame

Interested to see the photos of the gauges if you get a chance.

Thanks,
Rod

Hi Rod,
I had intended to bring some home before the Easter recess to take photos.No excuses!

I forgot, and now they are removing an asbestos roof and no one an get in at school. Bugger ! and I had planned to use the mill to machine my pan brake parts.

No worries ,it will have to wait until next week when we are back.

Both gauges are very simple to make.They both operate on the idea of a (set dimension )line being scribed from a parallel edge.
One ,the scratch gauge is made from 1mm S/Steel and has notches cut to a point, trimmed out for 5,10, and 15 parallel lines. It is held vertically and pressed against a straight edge to be marked and drawn long that edge.

They are easily made by cutting a square of material ,say 50mm square and making a parallel edge from 3 corners

The scratching point is cut a little higher (5mm) so that the rubbing edge will not slip up off the straight edge during the line scribing.

The other type is an adjustable gauge built along the liens of a woodworkers mortise gauge .

We just a cut a slice of 50mm round bar x 12 mm thick.We center drill it in the lathe and drill to to a diameter to suit our 10mm shaft. The 10 edge of the metal is drill and tapped to suit a bolt and wing nut.We use 8mm cos the kids are heavy on light threads etc but you could use 6mm.

One end of the shaft is drill to accept a 2.5mm hard nail which is either silver soldered or held in with a 6mm grub screw tapped into the edge of the shaft.

Photos next week

Grahame

Hi Grahame,

Thanks for the description. The mortice type gauge I can visualise but the slip gauge has me scrating my head a bit. I'm sure once I see a photo my brain will slip into gear.

thanks again,
Rod

Hi Rod
Just had a flash of ???? to the synapses.Why not draw it and take a pic?

here tis

Grahame

Thanks Grahame,
The brain cells have kicked in now. Neat little gauge and simple to make.

That's what I was talking about except we used to make them like this. Saves having to end for end them when you're going from one dimension to another - not a big deal unless you're into mass production.

They save so much time, and easy to make. Theres a few different shaped versions around, all based on the same principle.

If there is a draw back its getting the cherubs to hold the tool in the vertical/square alignment to the sheet being scribed.

These tools are basically used in our environment for marking out, of safe and double safe edges on projects.

Grahame