How thick is the floorpan, 16 gauge?

[RenoHuskerDu]

Got myself a fancy new Miller Multimatic 255, mostly made in USA, does pulsed MIG which should be the bee's knees for my cracked floorpan.

Just did a search here and no hits on the metal gauge of the sheet metal floor. I found one edge and it measured 16g ... is that it?

The fancy welder sets itself up in terms of pulse, volts, ipm, and even makes coffee. But I have to tell it the gauge of metal.

Big ole hole in my checkbook for this sucker...but I don't want any more Chinese stuff. $2k more and I coulda had an all-USA Lincoln, so I compromised for mostly made in USA with some China boards in it Miller.

[Gary Lewis]

I have a leftover piece in the shop that I cut from a Bullnose floor, so I'll measure it tomorrow.

[ArdWrknTrk]

The really thick Tabco panels are only 18Ga.
I don't think even the bed floor is 16.

If you're using a disc gauge you have to be really sure your sample is absolutely straight and burr free.
If you're checking with a ball anvil meter or micrometer it's less critical.

[RenoHuskerDu]

We're using this

[Gary Lewis]

I'll be using dial calipers.  Can break out the mikes if needed.  But is it that critical?

[RenoHuskerDu]

I doubt it's that critical. But this being my first deployment of this new welder, I'm trying to get every advantage that I can.  I'm probably being overly cautious.

My old welder was a no-name Chinese MIG with no electronic controls at all. I got by. But I wasn't welding on a Bullnose, it was usually something for which the consequences of booger welding were minimal.

[ArdWrknTrk]

No Gary it's not that you need a mic, it's that you're reading a point not flat to flat.

A snap gauge or ball anvil mic assures you're 'pinching'.

Gauge is fraction of an inch.
Just like I pointed out with the German caliper scaled in 128ths.

16Ga. is a full 1/16"....  do you really think a floor pan is stamped from that?

[Rembrant]

ArdWrknTrk wrote

The really thick Tabco panels are only 18Ga.
I don't think even the bed floor is 16.

I believe the Flareside steel bed sides are 14ga, but I'd have to re-check them to confirm. I seem to recall measuring them around 0.060" thick. I had my new stake pockets and extension panels made out of 16ga iirc. I must check my notes tonight and see if my memory is serving me correctly.

I have a little Lincoln welder and they are so easy to dial in for that thinner steel. There's a chart on the inside of the side cover, and that gets you right in the ballpark. A couple tweaks from there and you are golden! These are my fake spot welds below.

[Gary Lewis]

I get .043" on the piece of floor pan I have laying here.  This chart says that's 19 gauge.

[ArdWrknTrk]

And that's what Tabco says their domestic stampings are...

[Gary Lewis]

[RenoHuskerDu]

Horry sheet. That's thin.

Thanks, guys.

[ArdWrknTrk]

There's plenty of bends to stiffen it.
And the ribs welded to the bottom.