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Willing to help in my fab shop | 20 comments (20 topical, editorial)

16 ga Al = .050 thickness aka "Oh-fifty" (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by MattM on Sun Apr 6th, 2008 at 09:03:08 PM MST
(User Info)

I've toyed around with a few 18 gauge/.040 ("Oh-forty") aluminum blades. They don't have the rigidity for handling sustained winds over 35 mph. Definitely wouldn't recommend doing more than a 7' wind turbine with the .040 material, and only that big if it furls. My three blade 10' test rig showed considerable deformations from 40+ mph winds after around three months of handling stuff upwards of 35 mph - even with three layers at the hub (two layers out to the tip) and a few strengthening bends in the material. The 18 gauge test rig in mild steel and built using the same plan handled it without noticeable problems.

How is the 16 gauge/.050 aluminum of yours holding up?
----------------------------- Go Huskers!
[ Parent ]

Willing to help in my fab shop | 20 comments (20 topical, 0 editorial)

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