Mild Steel

[Ant-t]

Just starting to address some small body work issues on my bus, nothing major but can anyone point me in the right direction with buying mild steel? Which type do I go for ie cold rolled, galvanised and what thickness is best for general panel work?

[MGP]

Steer clear of anything coated, galvanised steel gives off poisonous gasses when welded.

[Ant-t]

Thanks for that

[fazzer]

as said don't use galvanised the fumes are deadly,i normally use 1mm thick zinc plated or plain mild steel if doing bodywork type welding if using zinc plated I always run grinder round the edge just to remove some of zinc.If you lived local to me I could have got you some from my work its sacrilidge what goes in the scrap bin.

[Shaundon]

isnt zinc coated the same as galvanised?? Id be carefull welding that as zinc fumes are poisonous (or do you mean zinc paint coating?)
normally folk just use mild steel - 1.2mm for panels maybee 2.0mm for more structural sections - just use same thickness as original metal your replacing
most auto factors (such as euro car parts etc) can get you sheets in or there are various online suppliers

[fazzer]

it is coated but can be welded as I said clean the edge off that's to be welded obviously ventilation is good ,galvanised is deadly first time I welded it I couldn't breath properly and had one massive headache never again.

[Plasticman]

1.2mm as a minimum and is good for most general panal works, , lots of areas use thicker and for a reason , post up or pm for if you get stuck, personally stay away from coated stuff if your not conversant, as for galv, dont even go there , its not just the fumes it also welds poorly and is not meant for what your looking at doing.
most towns have firms that fabricate and use the stuff , go find a small one and they also have loads of offcuts in the skips, just take some £££ for their tea fund
mm

[Ant-t]

Thanks again all, appreciate the input and advice