Bandmill Wheel Guard Thickness

[Trent]

Next weekend I should be ready to build guards for my homebuilt bandmill. I'll be building box shaped guards around 23" dia. wheels. I plan to use piano hinges to open for access. What gauge steel would be good to use?    Thanks, Trent 

[HOGFARMER]

I am using 14 gauge sheet steel for the guards on a mill I am building.  It sounds like both of our guards will be of a similar design.  Several people answered this question for me on this and another forum.  Most advised this thickness of steel.  Hope this helps.

[Shawn]

Trent,
I too am using 14 ga. Here in the detroit area it goes for about $80 for a 4X8 sheet. Thats before cuts.

[Flurida_BlackCreek]

I used 16 or 14 on my last mill and it worked fine. On the one I'm building now I'm gonna use 1/8 because I have it already, but I'm going to use 3/4 plywood for the doors. I damaged way to many blades on the WM with metal doors.