rivet spacing for sheet metal to steel frame

[warrenelec]

Hi,
I am designing an oven whose frame is madde of steel tubing and is to be covered with .065" sheet metal. The sheets will be attached with rivets, and i need assistance with determining rivet spacing. The sheets will not see any load outside of the weight of the sheets. Would 6" spacing in a single lap joint suffice?

thanks in advance.

 

[unclesyd]

Come back with a little more information.
6" should be more that enough and depending on sheet material and size, direction it's hanging, and proposed rivet material and size you may be able to open up the spacing.

Is the building outside?
If it's outside you may have to use blind rivets.

Is the skin going to see any temperature?

 

[notnats]

When placing the rivets, I would suggest starting in the middle of each seam and working towards the ends (like tightening a cylinder head) to avoid having the sheet steel arching away from the frame and leaving gaps that refuse to close.

Jeff

 

[warrenelec]

The metal will see a temperature of around 275 degrees F. The rivet size will most likely be 5/16". The assembly of the sheets together will be a patchwork of 48" x 96" sheets (galvanel) connected to a 72" x 72" x 192" steel frame. I'm not sure what material rivet to use, the rivets have not been ordered as of yet.

Thanks