Hi guys,
I am in the process of designing a valve amp case and thinking of an alumminium sheet top with wooden sides. On one project I read that 1/8” 6061 aluminium is needed.
I have come across some nice satin anodised 3mm aluminium sheet which is 5050 grade. I have looked up the difference online and am stilll unsure.
3.0 mm SAA Aluminium Sheet - Guillotine Cut - Signs Metalworking & Engraving | eBay
Which grade aluminium should I be looking for?
Can anyone point me and others in the right direction please?
Other options could be copper or stainless steel.
Thanks
I am in the process of designing a valve amp case and thinking of an alumminium sheet top with wooden sides. On one project I read that 1/8” 6061 aluminium is needed.
I have come across some nice satin anodised 3mm aluminium sheet which is 5050 grade. I have looked up the difference online and am stilll unsure.
3.0 mm SAA Aluminium Sheet - Guillotine Cut - Signs Metalworking & Engraving | eBay
Which grade aluminium should I be looking for?
Can anyone point me and others in the right direction please?
Other options could be copper or stainless steel.
Thanks
Hello- 6061 aluminium is probably the most common aluminum alloy, so it's most likely less expensive and more commonly available. The only reason I can think of to use 5050 would be if you are going to weld it. As far as copper and stainless, it would be a matter of how much you want to pay. Copper and stainless are going to cost you more.
That would be the only reason I'd ever use stainless.
It is miserable stuff to work with, compared to aluminum (aka aluminium) or even steel.
For flat panels I use whatever I can get my hands on, cheaply.
Some aluminum is 'sticky' when drilling or cutting, so cutting fluid of some kind (even WD40, kerosene) helps with that.
Yes.
But the choice of metal (with proper spur washers) doesn't affect that, does it?
I'd forgotten just how hard stainless can be until I got some kitchen splashbacks laser cut.
Had to trim a few mm due to out of square walls.
I'd only use a stainless panel if I was having it laser cut & was sure I'd not missed any large holes and that any small screw holes not pre-cut could be reached with a drill press.
Does look smart though.
Had to trim a few mm due to out of square walls.
I'd only use a stainless panel if I was having it laser cut & was sure I'd not missed any large holes and that any small screw holes not pre-cut could be reached with a drill press.
Does look smart though.
Another option is brass sheet. It cuts easily and you can finish it real nice and smooth and silky, then spray it with some clear lacquer so it will stay nice. Or, just leave it raw and let it oxidize. Same with copper, but copper doesn't cut as nicely, it's kind of gummy like some stainless steel. However, copper and brass costs more, but you're not building a airplane or spaceship. If you're concerned about machinability, use some 303 stainless steel.
I would use it if you were going to bend it into a box shape, as it's softer than 6061. Both alloys weld fine.
jeff
5000s Aluminium alloy - Wikipedia
6000s Aluminium alloy - Wikipedia
Both 6061 and 5050 are listed as "universal".
You are not building a billion-dollar fighter plane where you need exceptional strength for weight or elaborate forming and welding. You are not building a $9.95 lawn-chair where you need absolute lowest price.
For a flat plate with a few holes, one-off, DIY-economics, I'm sure either (or others) is fine.
6000s Aluminium alloy - Wikipedia
Both 6061 and 5050 are listed as "universal".
You are not building a billion-dollar fighter plane where you need exceptional strength for weight or elaborate forming and welding. You are not building a $9.95 lawn-chair where you need absolute lowest price.
For a flat plate with a few holes, one-off, DIY-economics, I'm sure either (or others) is fine.
MakeItFrom.com 5050 down at bottom specifically lists 6061 as similar to 5050. In short, 6061 is 5050 plus Silicon.
If you're looking for a ready-made solution: Real Walnut Chassis w/ Aluminum Top (HWCHAS Series) - Hammond Mfg.
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