16ga or 18ga for repair

[svon89]

I am now the owner of a project. I just want to patch some of the body, but know that I am going to end up making the rear quarters over. For those of you who made your own, 18ga is stock, but 16ga would be a little better, but how much more difficult is the 16ga to work with? I have a nibbler that I can cut either with, but as far as bends, I don't yet have a brake.
Thanks
By the way, this is going to be a long term project, I just want to start thinking about the best ways to do things.

 

[madinal]

When I had my cold air intake made I wanted a thinner metal but the shop only had 16ga. They said that thinner than that is more expensive and harder to come by. You may want to check your supplier before you decide.

 

[laguna80]

When I had my cold air intake made I wanted a thinner metal but the shop only had 16ga. They said that thinner than that is more expensive and harder to come by. You may want to check your supplier before you decide.

That's true for me as well. I've gotten 18g from them once before, but never again. And 18g is way easier to bend.

 

[svon89]

Thanks, I never thought of availability.
As far as ease of working I should probably go with the 18ga to be able to bend the right angle at the bottom of the panels.

 

[1tontoy]

Go with 16ga.

 

[TLCDino]

Is it worth discussing that 16g would bit a bit more forgiving for a novice welder?

Signed,

A Novice Welder....

 

[fzj75macka]

Is it worth discussing that 16g would bit a bit more forgiving for a novice welder?

Signed,

A Novice Welder....

Yes 16G is more forgiving, but set up is the key. If you do it right, its a breeze, if you don't, well things won't come out pretty. The key is in the prep.

 

[Southeast Overland]

I've always used 16 ga b/c it was easy to come by and was a bit more forgiving when I was learning to weld sheet.

 

[svon89]

16 seems what is readily available to me. Probably going to go with that. After all, if the bends are not perfect it won't be the end of the world. I am planning an entire frame off renovation(not original engine) some time in the future. I always try to get all of the planned parts together before I tear into something.

As far as welding, I have a nice miller 140 that I have done a lot of work with, including welding up holes in tractor tins, so I have a little experience, but much more to learn.