Weight of steel plate

[jeepmedic46]

Any idea how much a 2' by 6' 3/16th steel might weigh?

 

[SunTzuNephew]

around 31 lbs, depending on alloy

http://www.onlinemetals.com/calculator.cfm

 

[getlost4x4]

3/16 is 7.65 LBS / SQ FT

so 12 sq ft * 7.65 = 91.8 lbs.

there is a really good book you can all kinds of techincal info like this in.

its called Pocket Ref by Thomas J Glover

isbn# 1-885071-33-7

http://www.sequoiapublishing.com/pdt_pocketref3ed.htm

 

[jeepmedic46]

Thank you, Thinking of doing my skid plate. One piece from my tow hooks to the crossmember of my tranny.:smiley_drive:

 

[getlost4x4]

3/16" will work very well. that's what i built the center section of my bumper out of.

 

[jeepmedic46]

Do you think that will be to heavy? If I got 3 plates at 3/16th it should be close to that?:smiley_drive:

 

[winkosmosis]

Do you think a thinner steel with a layer of HDPE or UHMW plastic would work?

http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10656

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/4x4-off-road-tech/76881-over-top-hdpe-skid-plate-help.html

Here is a thread I made, thinking about thin steel with HDPE
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1001101

 

[getlost4x4]

1/8" is the thinnest i would use. are you going to mount your transfer case to the skid plate as well.

if you are going to mount your t-case to it, i would use 3/16".

 

[michaels]

1/8" is the thinnest i would use. are you going to mount your transfer case to the skid plate as well.

if you are going to mount your t-case to it, i would use 3/16".

i disagree. i will never use anything less than 3/16" for anything.my front bumper is 1/4", and my sliders, and rear bumper are 3/16". 3/16" is the way to go. 1/8" will dent far too quickly.

 

[getlost4x4]

well if weight is a concern 1/8 will still protect things like gas tanks. if you design the part with the metal thickness in mind and build the part with more rigidity then you won't need the extra thickness. simply adding bends to a piece of metal will add strength to the part.

 

[ntsqd]

Rather than trying to remember what each thickness weighs for steel I just use .2818 lbs per cubic inch. So 24" x 72" x 3/16" = 324 cubic inches
324in^3 x .2818 = 91.30 lbs.

If this isn't a rock buggy then the plate is more for protection than for grinding over an obstacle on. I'd use aluminum if it's in the budget. 3/16" thick is still plenty thick. Aluminum's weight per cubic inch is .0975 lbs, so that same plate will weigh 31.6 lbs.

There is value in designing strength into the part rather than simply throwing mass at the problem.

 

[getlost4x4]

i try to cut as much weight as possible. my commander is alread a heavy pig at over 5000 lbs.

and there isn't any gearing available for the front axle.

 

[Explorer 1]

Wow all this math!

I'm always impressed with the collective knowledge out there!

I guess I've just used the overly simple method in the past,

I usually just stand on the scale with and then without the item and subtract the difference! :ylsmoke:

Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1

 

[getlost4x4]

if you guys don't have that book, you should get it and carry it in your rig.

it covers everything you may ever need from chemisty, math, calc, weights of materials, tying knots, electricity, food, currancy etc. its a great book, almost as good as google.

 

[Willman]

Here is a steel shapes PDF book.....

http://www.pdmsteel.com/PDF/pdm_cat2006c.pdf

3/16" seems pretty thick....I would make a cross bar for your t-case and depending on how you drive your rig (buggy/overlanding) 1/8" for under the body with 3/16" up front for a skid plate.....Just my .02 cents....Built it with Alum!!!!

If this isn't a rock buggy then the plate is more for protection than for grinding over an obstacle on. I'd use aluminum if it's in the budget. 3/16" thick is still plenty thick. Aluminum's weight per cubic inch is .0975 lbs, so that same plate will weigh 31.6 lbs.

There is value in designing strength into the part rather than simply throwing mass at the problem.

Alum. would be a great way to go!

This is what I'm going to use for my Taco!

:sombrero: