Steel thickness on a protein feeder?

[TexasLongball]

I have a protein feeder that has developed some rust. A couple places got so bad that I cut out some strips to look at the interior. I wanted to sell it but I don't think it would sell in its current state.
So now I'm thinking I will strip this down to the bones and rebuild it.

My question for more experienced welders:
What gauge steel should I use for the shell and interior feed diverters? I'd like as thin as possible but something I could still weld to the frame without burning through it.

[Hoggslayer]

All depends in the type of welder you have and for the most part, how good of a welder you are. I would think 12ga would work for most people. If you are mig welding, you could probably go down to 14ga or even 16ga

[TexasLongball]

All depends in the type of welder you have and for the most part, how good of a welder you are. I would think 12ga would work for most people. If you are mig welding, you could probably go down to 14ga or even 16ga

Lincoln 140 and I use gasless flux core. And my skills as a welder depends on who you ask. My 15 year old thinks I'm amazing...a career welder would think I'm sh*t. I think I'm somewhere in between.

[TexasLongball]

All I've worked on is 1/8" but I've done quite a bit with it (feeder bracket, winch bracket, DIY pull behind mower). It's the thin stuff I'm worried about burning through.

[Native Texan]

Get some 14 and 16 gauge scrap to test your welding skills. If the 16 gauge works I wouldn't go thicker.

If possible, I would drill and tap the frame and screw .060 aluminum panels to it. Much lighter and no rust issues.

[Hoggslayer]

[QUOTE=Native Texan;15099528]Get some 14 and 16 gauge scrap to test your welding skills. If the 16 gauge works I wouldn't go thicker.

If possible, I would drill and tap the frame and screw .060 aluminum panels to it. Much lighter and no rust issues.[/QUOTE]

I've been told, speed limit signs work well also.

[TexasLongball]

Get some 14 and 16 gauge scrap to test your welding skills. If the 16 gauge works I wouldn't go thicker.

I think this is the way I'll go.

I've been told, speed limit signs work well also.

Uh huh...just what you heard?

[BiggieSmalls]

If your welding is questionable I would lay some 1/2-1" tacks around and then run a bead of NP1 caulking along to fill the rest. That stuff will last as long as the weld/metal sometimes, especially if there is rust involved.