Metal Fabricators, what gauge sheet do you recommend?

[ChrisHoover]

I'm designing and collecting parts for an ignition bracket. It will be a simple L shaped sheet mounted in the engine bay on the drivers side. It will hold an MSD 6AL, Beru regulator, ground bus bar, and 4 position fuse block.

I'm thinking it should be aluminum sheet. I don't have a brake, I'll bend it with something I can scrounge up. I'm not sure what gauge to use. Any recommendations?

Also, riv-nuts, godsend or the devil's mistress?

[Mike Billings]

There was an amateur aircraft builder that taught me how to build a battery box using 0.063 aluminum sheet and pop-rivets.

Did a layout on the sheet first so it would fold up like a Chinese dinner box.

He would make several then install the best one.

[tperazzo]

Yep, .063 aluminum but don't buy 6061-T6 and expect to bend it. Get 5052

[Walt Fricke]

A vice, some boards, and a hammer ought to do for simple 90 degree bends.

If you can figure out why you might want to remove your holder from the chassis, riv-nuts would make sense. Some of mine have had a tendency to loosen just enough that they, rather than the screw, rotate when being removed, but that may be due to faulty installation, a slightly oversized hole, or whatnot.

Pop rivets are pretty easy to drill out and replace. And, with access to both sides, as likely you will have, an ordinary nub and bolt ought to work well enough.

[mb911]

Buy 5052 h32 .. I would say .090 for a novice. I teach Fab and welding (college level) so I speak from experience. These are my fabbed projects.

[Solamar]

Or, depending on the dimensions you could start with a piece of aluminum angle.

Riv nuts rock!

[JerryL]

The laser makes those parts easier!
The Riv nuts work, you may also look at Penn Engineering PEM nuts, the S nut or SS (stainless) you can press them in with a vise or C clamp, yes on the 5052-H32 (Mcmaster Carr for smaller pcs) maybe find a local fab shop that may have it and do the bends for you and or sell you material. as to thickness depends on your design folded gussets for support or just a simple 90.
I made an aluminum bracket for a MSD 6AL for my 66 912 coupe mounted it to the oil tank mounting on the passenger side, used .080" a basic 90 ish degree (acute bend) pretty much hides it under fender area, used the PEM SS M6 press in nuts also available at McMaster Carr or maybe your local fab shop.

Have fun!

Regards

[ChrisHoover]

Thanks all, appreciate the input

[SalParadise]

Originally Posted by mb911

Buy 5052 h32 .. I would say .090 for a novice. I teach Fab and welding (college level) so I speak from experience. These are my fabbed projects.

Ben those are sweet pieces.

[ChrisHoover]

Originally Posted by JerryL

The laser makes those parts easier!
The Riv nuts work, you may also look at Penn Engineering PEM nuts, the S nut or SS (stainless) you can press them in with a vise or C clamp, yes on the 5052-H32 (Mcmaster Carr for smaller pcs) maybe find a local fab shop that may have it and do the bends for you and or sell you material. as to thickness depends on your design folded gussets for support or just a simple 90.
I made an aluminum bracket for a MSD 6AL for my 66 912 coupe mounted it to the oil tank mounting on the passenger side, used .080" a basic 90 ish degree (acute bend) pretty much hides it under fender area, used the PEM SS M6 press in nuts also available at McMaster Carr or maybe your local fab shop.

Have fun!

Regards

I have been using PEM nuts, McMaster calls them press fit. I really like them. I also am using riv nuts. I bought a hand tool, man I’m old and weak, I have to add a cheater bar to get the tool to close. Thanks for the recommendation.