metal thickness on southern guns

[Dan Herda]

   Could someone tell me the usual or common thickness of STEEL used for patchboxes on southern rifles.Also, would or could that same thickness of material be used for an end cap and rr and entry pipe?

Thanx for any input, Dan

[KentSmith]

Don't know the thickness, but I am using the hood of a 1990 F-150 for my sheet metal right now. 

[Michael]

Kent,

Henry Ford would be pleased!!!

Michael

[Birddog6]

Probably lots of variances here........ but I am using .032 for the RR & entrypipes and use .040 for the patchboxes, as want it a lil thicker & stiffer on it. If you go too thick on the RR pipes it is much harder to form them, if you are making your own.
 

[Don Getz]

Kent....shouldn't have any trouble with browning that stuff.    I had a 90 Ford, and it had the worst paint of any car I have
ever owned.   As for patchboxes and thimbles of steel, I found some sheets of "malleable" steel at the local hardwaare
store, about .040 thick, that works just great.   Easy to bend and has no spring in it........Don

[billd]

If you're buying it hot rolled forms easier than cold.

[Ken G]

I've never checked the thickness of original boxes in comparison to the timbles and nose cap.  I doubt there is anything like a standard.  More like what was laying around.  I agree with Birddog the Timbles and nose cap would need to be thinner. 

[Dan Herda]

Thanx for all the input guys. I am hoping this project comes on this summer and am gathering materials and ideas.

Dan

[Mark Elliott]

I use 1/32" or slightly thinner for the ramrod pipes and nose piece.  I frequently use scrap for these.   For all else, I use 1/16".   I have used .040" for the ramrod pipes if I want to file them like brass pipes.   I use 1/8" plate for my butt pieces.    I use 1/2"x1/8" for my grip rail and 1/2"-3/4" round bar stock for the bow.

Mark E.

[dannybb55]

I used whiskey barrel bands cause I had a rotten slack tub in the shop. The ram rod goes down smooth and she hits hard. Banding iron was commonly available, that's why Indians made arrowheads out of it.
                                                           Danny

[KentSmith]

Just make sure you have enough meat on you rr pipes if you are goin to file flats on them.  A lot of work to just have them dent the first time they hit something.  But yeh, life is easier the thinner you make them.