Standard Quantity Tolerances
 
When you request a quote, if you do not specify a tolerance for quantity, McNICHOLS provides the "exact" quantity you requested. On large orders, you can lower cost by specifying "standard" tolerances. "Standard" tolerance is +/- 10% (plus or minus 10 percent). On an order of 50 sheets with a "Standard" tolerance, you would receive at least 45 sheets and no more than 55 sheets.
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Standard Shearing (Cutting) Tolerances
 
Unless otherwise specified, McNICHOLS’ standard shearing tolerance is +/- 1/8 inch.
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Standard Circle Shearing Tolerances
 
 
Heavy Gauge Light Gauge
 
 
11 gauge carbon steel 24 gauge carbon steel
 
 
16 gauge stainless steel 24 gauge stainless steel
 
 
Maximum and Minimum 3 - 48 inch diameter: tolerance of +/- 1/8 inch, except 11 gauge which has a tolerance of +/- 3/16 inch.
 
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Standard Flatness Tolerances
 
Flatness tolerances are measured as the maximum deviation for horizontal flat surface. The table below lists the standard flatness tolerances for both sheets and plates.
 
Tolerances for Sheets

 
Sheet Thickness Widths Tolerances
 
 
16 gauge and heavier Up to and including 60 inches.
Between 60 and 72 inches.
Over 72 inches.		 1/2 Inch
3/4 Inch
1 Inch
 
 
17 gauge and lighter Up to and including 36 inches.
Between 36 and 60 inches.
Over 60 inches.		 1/2 Inch
3/4 Inch
1 Inch
 


Tolerances for Plates

 
Thickness To 36 Inches* 36 to 48 inches* 48 to 60 inches* 60 to 72 inches* 72 to 84 inches*
 
 
To 1/4 Inch* 5/8 Inch 7/8 Inch 1-1/16 Inches 1-3/8 Inches 1-1/2 Inches
 
 
1/4 to 3/8 Inch* 9/16 Inch 3/4 Inch 7/8 Inch 1-1/16 Inches 1-1/4 Inches
 
3/8 to 1/2 Inch* 1/2 Inch 5/8 Inch 11/16 Inch 3/4 Inch 7/8 Inch
 
 
1/4 to 3/4 Inch* 7/16 Inch 9/16 Inch 5/8 Inch 11/16 Inch 3/4 Inch
 
* exclusive
 
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Standard Thickness Tolerances
 
The following table provides the standard thickness tolerance for perforated stock size sheet by material and thickness.
 
 
Plain (carbon) Steel Stainless Steel Aluminum
 
Gauge Decimal Tolerance Decimal Tolerance Decimal Tolerance
 
 
30 0.0120 0.0140 Inch
0.0100 Inch		 0.0125 N/A 0.010 N/A
 
 
28 0.0149 0.0170 Inch
0.0130 Inch		 0.0156 0.0166
0.0136		 0.012 N/A
 
 
26 0.0180 0.0200 Inch
0.0160 Inch		 0.0178 0.0193
0.0163		 0.016 0.0175 Inch
0.0145 Inch
 
 
24 0.0239 0.0270 Inch
0.0210 Inch		 0.0235 0.0240
0.0220		 0.020 0.0220 Inch
0.0180 Inch
 
 
22 0.0299 0.0330 Inch
0.0270 Inch		 0.0293 0.0313
0.0273		 0.025 0.0270 Inch
0.0230 Inch
 
 
20 0.0359 0.0390 Inch
0.0330 Inch		 0.0355 0.0375
0.0335		 0.032 0.0340 Inch
0.0300 Inch
 
 
18 0.0478 0.0520 Inch
0.0440 Inch		 0.0480 0.0510
0.0450		 0.040 0.0425 Inch
0.0375 Inch
 
 
16 0.0598 0.0650 Inch
0.0550 Inch		 0.0595 0.0615
0.0565		 0.050 0.0530 Inch
0.0470 Inch
 
 
14 0.0747 0.0817 Inch
0.0677 Inch		 0.0781 0.0821
0.0741		 0.063 0.0660 Inch
0.0600 Inch
 
 
12 0.1046 0.1146 Inch
0.0946 Inch		 0.1094 0.1144
0.1044		 0.080 0.0835 Inch
0.0765 Inch
 
 
11 0.1196 0.1296 Inch
0.1096 Inch		 0.1250 0.1300
0.1200		 0.090 0.0935 Inch
0.0865 Inch
 
 
10 N/A N/A 0.1406 0.1466
0.1346		 0.100 0.1040 Inch
0.0996 Inch
 
 
8 N/A N/A 0.1650 0.1720
0.1580		 0.125 0.1295 Inch
0.1205 Inch
 
 
3/16 Inch 0.1875 0.2050 Inch
0.1780 Inch		 N/A N/A N/A N/A
 
 
1/4 Inch 0.2500 0.2700 Inch
0.2400 Inch		 N/A N/A N/A N/A
 
 
5/16 Inch 0.3125 0.3330 Inch
0.3030 Inch		 N/A N/A N/A N/A
 
 
3/8 Inch 0.3750 0.3980 Inch
0.3650 Inch		 N/A N/A N/A N/A
 
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Standard Squareness Tolerances
 
Unless otherwise specified, McNICHOLS’ standard squareness tolerance is +/- 1/8 inch
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