A pretty sizeable piece, approximately 16"x40"...and I need it CHEAP.

Know where I can get?

5/15/2006 12:41:33 PM

i have some 1/4 steel if you could use that instead. ?

5/15/2006 1:10:59 PM

I wish I could. But steel is too heavy and is too prone to corrosion in salt water.

5/15/2006 2:03:47 PM

no prob. didn't know what u were using it for.

5/15/2006 2:10:58 PM

ZX you have PM

5/15/2006 3:06:41 PM

What do you consider cheap, and more importantly, DEAR LORD WHY DO YOU NEED IT THAT BIG?

I looked at every metal source I have and the cheapest I could find was like 250 bucks

5/15/2006 10:33:04 PM

steal it

5/15/2006 10:39:50 PM

^^I know plate that size ain't fucking cheap. I was hoping to hit on somebody who had some laying around...scrap or otherwise.

Basically, my boat's rudder is a piece of aluminum plate about 12-14" x 36" or so.

I'm looking at fabbing another rudder, except this time build an airfoil shape around the plate using thin ribs of plywood or aluminum, styrofoam, and fiberglass.

The big deal is this: I need something strong, yet thin enough to go in the rudder bracket (the rudder itself pivots up in the bracket so you can haul it out of the water to prevent fouling and also to prevent damage in case of running aground). And the thickest stock I can use is 1/4"...so plywood that is strong enough will be too thick.

5/15/2006 11:36:26 PM

youd come out a shit ton cheaper getting a couple of plates and tiggin them together.

or a shit ton lighter with a combo of aluminum for the bracket part, and laying up some carbon/fiberglass for the rest.

5/15/2006 11:52:07 PM

Yeah, I was thinking about a 6" or 8" section that functions as a spar, then ribbing/laying up composite/foam core. If I can score an 8"x40" plate, I'll be very happy.

5/16/2006 12:40:49 AM

could you not use small rods, like the endless screw thread rods at home depot, and cut and weld them into a lattice shape? that'd be cheap, light, and strong, it would just take a while.

5/16/2006 1:16:42 PM