Expanded metal

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Can some one tell me how many sheets of expanded metal i will need for this cargo basket. 2pcs--38 1/2 x 27" 2pcs--30 1/2 x27" 2pcs--38 X 29"         Thanks for your help
Reply:(2) -4'x8' sheets...I'd say
Reply:Quantity might depend on which way you need the mesh to run. Does it matter for this or not..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Doesn't matter which way mesh runs.   Thanks
Reply:i like 3/4 x #9
Reply:I hope we get pics.Lincoln Handy mig Longevity Stickweld140Hobart Handler 210
Reply:Originally Posted by wheelerbuffyCan some one tell me how many sheets of expanded metal i will need for this cargo basket. 2pcs--38 1/2 x 27" 2pcs--30 1/2 x27" 2pcs--38 X 29"         Thanks for your help
Reply:Warning...sheared edges on expanded metal are lethal... be careful!
Reply:I'll go against Donald with the shearing- well not 100% against his advise on shearingbut as Tinbasher mentioned when they shear it you end up with basically a sheet of Razor wire edging-- got me pretty good first time Cutting it isn't that bad just use a set of bolt cutters and it really doesn't take that longEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Measuring and figuring out material needed is really pretty simple. Basic math.Cutting e m can be done using a chisel, grinder, saw, plasma cutter or have it sheared as suggested.Tim Beeker.
Reply:Whatever size you buy, you are going to have some left over.   It is sold in 4, 5,6 and possible 7  foot or greater widths in 3/4 x9 (the common material for this application). It is sold in 8, 10, 12, and 14 foot lengths (or greater).  Its going to depend upon your local suppliers demand for it, and what he stocks.  Of course he will be glad to order you a whole bundle of it if he doesn't have it, but not probably for a sheet just so you won't have any waste. Around where I live, I can get virtually any size since so many trailer factories are around.  They just plop down a whole sheet for the bottom of a trailer.  So my local steel supplier has it in the length and width I need as a general rule.  You are going to need a at least a 4 x 14 piece.  If you can't get it in 14 that long, you may go to a 5 foot wide piece to get the length.  OR you could see if you can get a 7 x12 piece. But the running direction of the pattern will change. You need to decide of you want mesh or grating (flat or raised).  Cost will be the same. Its manufactured from flat steel that has been punched and stretched.I'd disagree with Donald.  You WON"T find a supplier that will sell you just what you want unless you are overpaying to start with. If you are having them cut it, then they are probably charging you for a whole sheet, and a per cut charge AND then they will keep the drops themselves for the recycle bin.(unless you tell them you want them).   Several of the big steel suppliers I deal with won't even consider custom cutting it.  Again in disagreement with Donald, I cut this stuff all the time.  It's not really all that time consuming, more than cutting any other sheet steel.  A cutting disk on a grinder will cut quickly and efficiently.  A plasma with a pilot arc is quick too. I've even used abrasive disk on a circular saw.  I've used an oxy/acetylene torch as well with good results. A suggestion: consider cutting it a little under sized if you have too so that you are splitting the area where the mesh meets in the middle...not the legs of the hole. In other words, cut it in the middle where the little football shaped holes meet.  Then use the angle (or whatever metal you will use for the frame ) to fill out the balance of the dimension.  For example, you will probably weld the mesh on the inside of the box frame. If you use 2 x 2 angle, you have nearly 4 inches of dimension to play with. You do not need to cut the expanded metal to fill in the whole 4 inches.  You only need to make it come to just past the inside edge of the angle before you weld it in...or wherever the next row of "football" shapes start.  I'd recommend against trying to weld it directly to the edge of the angle for best results.Just noticed where you live.  Go to  Eastman to W.T. Howell and Sons.  Its not too far, and their prices are better than most of the others, and they have about any size.Last edited by lugweld; 11-05-2011 at 09:42 AM.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Old thread, but plasma is the way to cut that stuff.   Fast, can use a guide, and decent edges.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I agree with the Plasma cut.....however, I have had very good luck having the steel shop break my expanded iron where I want at just 30.00 hr for metal work they can break alot of corners rather me cutting them then dressing the edges....just my 2 cents......A young green pipe welder asked an old salt one day...How can I make the weld on the bottom of the pipe look like the top.......The old salt replied....Screw up the top......