Under skinning question?

[redbeard]

Okay guys here's the deal I have a friend who has a break that can bend sheet metal for me but he can only bend or break metal up to 22gauge is that heavy enough to under skin with or do I need something heavier?

[Liquid Asset]

You'll need to be heavier than that. I would guess that the brake your friend has is for siding and flashing etc. You'll need a real sheet meatal brake which can be found at most small machine shops. I would go with a .063 roughly 1/16" or some where in that size. There is alot of water that pounds the bottom so depending on your crossmember spacing you don't want it to thin as it will bow inbetween. Find a local shop and either take your metal there or have them supply it. When I had my strakes made my buddies 8' old school brake wasn't up the challenge of bending that long of a 1/8" piece. A local shop only charged me $40 to bend them on their hydrolic brake.

[Bamaman]

You can rent sheet metal breaks at most general rental yards. I think Home Depot might also rent them, but their in house rental yard has very expensive rates on virtually everything.

[redbeard]

Thanks guys. That is what I thought I would need, but had to ask to see what you all had to say about it. You've been there done that. Again thanks for the input.