Making metal tanks

[Brian MAhoney]

I need to make up some metal tanks for my Whiplash Sport 40. Can anyone give me an overview of how to go about this?

Brian Mahoney

 

[shoboat]

Brian,

Here is how I go about making a metal tank. I get my checkbook out

and write a check to Grimracer for one of his BEAUTIFUL TANKS. I have

it in a week or two and go race or test. If you don't have the materials,

it will cost you more to make a tank,than what Mike charges. Also,

you have Mike's warranty that he stands behind what he sells. How

much is that worth?

Good Luck Brian,

Mark Sholund

 

[Russell Bear]

I second that. Contact Mike @.....

[email protected]

 

[Brian MAhoney]

Thanks but being based in the UK I cannot always just pick up the phone and order parts etc. I need to at least check up on how to do this myself, and look into costs.

In a few weeks I will be posting asking for how to go about making up my own cowl. Now if I was in the states I would have brought a Whiplash40 kit, stealth cowl and hardware kit from Brian Blazer and tanks from Grimm. Might even have been pestering some of the prop gurus (I think that's you Mark) re props.

The route I am going is a lot harder but at least I am learning a lot.

Also doing thing differently can lead to new and good results, for example my 21 mono runs a comfortable 44 mph, this is powered by a geared (1.5 to 1) CMB21 LS, 10% Nitro and an x452 prop sharpened and balanced. The hull is 36 inches long a copes well with the wakes of other boats. With more nitro and someone who knows props I would have a race boat that would be very competive in the US.

Brian Mahoney

 

[Grimracer]

Thanks Guys

Brian

I cannot give away any trade secrets ...there are none. It just takes tools (some can get to be costly) and the desire to do it. The difference between my tanks and yours to be is that i have years of building experience and can have them whipped together in short order (a few days). I have been through, and had to answer all the questions you seek. I also have a quick and easy way to pay for then using paypal, check, cash, bank transfer whatever works best for you…

I ship all over the world and do it weekly. I back my tanks 100%. I WILL NOT HAVE A BAD TANK OUT THERE..

I ship to:

Australia

UK

China

Japan

Canada

Norway

Michigan :lol:

Texas

How did those get in there? He he he and many others.

If you change your mind let me know as Im always happy to help.

More then making a few bucks (I will never get rich doing it) its making friends that I like..

Grimracer

 

[Russell Bear]

Texas...

Hey, I resemble that.....

 

[Ron Zaker Jr]

I have been using Power Surge tanks for 3 years.The custom tanks fit perfect, and his customer service is first class.

Ron Jr

 

[wswatzell]

So now Michigan is a different country?? so why did i just have to pay Federal income tax :blink: LOL!!!! :lol:

 

[Terry Keeley]

I've been making my own tanks for a few years now, it can be quite time consuming but also very rewarding if you have the time. Problem with a lot of people today is they just don't have the time and would much rather pay for a service as long as it's reasonable. I've seen Mike's tanks and they're very nice, Walt Barney also does nice work.

For my own I like 0.008" annealed (soft) stainless, got it from a shim supplier. Regular tin stock and even brass can be used. I use Kester's 5% silver solder and their liquid flux and never had any leaks. If you make a 1.25" cube "hopper" tank inside the main tank you can run it dry and get a consistant needle start to finish. For bending I just use a couple of pieces of steel in the vice to clamp the shim and a piece of maple to bend it over and hammer a good, sharp bend. Make a mockup from carboard first if you have to fit into a tight area so you know it'll fit. Try it, you'll like it.

 

[PHIL THOMAS]

A simple metal tank can be made easily using tin sheet. I dont know about the supplier in UK but here in USA you can buy K&S brand tin sheet 4"x 10" for the metal. You will need a good soldering iron not an small pencil size one. I found one of the small gas torches with a soldering iron tip works real well also.

Like most things its whats inside that counts there is more going on inside one of these tanks than you imagine.

First figure out the size of tank you need, make a cardboard pattern of one first.

Figure where you will need to add pick up and vent lines.

Plan on making a small hopper tank about 1 Inch cube or what ever shape you need,, a triangle shape built into the end of the tank would work also. What ever you make this small tank must not have any leaks or it will not work correctly.

The pick up line that goes to your carb should be at the left rear corner of the hopper tank. A input feed tube for the hopper should go from the left rear of the main tank to the top of the hopper tank.

Gee isnt this easy?

Those built for you tanks look pretty good?

If not here is how i make a tank,, mine are not as pretty as Grims or Walts but they will work.

Using the tank pattern you made. Make these parts using cardboard, not metal the first time.

Measure and cut a bottom piece for your tank. I use a pointed scriber to mark the metal sheet.

Then measure and cut a piece that will wrap from the front bottom over the top of the tank and back to the rear bottom. Crease the bend points with your scriber. You should make a 1/4 " tab on each end of this piece to overlap the bottom piece.

Now you have the tanks bottom, front,top and rear sides made. when you are ready to solder hold the bottom and the tabs in alignment with small clothes pins or clamps untill you get them soldered in place.

You now have a tank with no sides. Set up your tank on its side and transfer the inside shape to a piece of tin.

Add a 1/4 inch tab on all sides cut out the side parts, scoring firmly with your scriber will crease the metal then bend the tabs inward. The sides should fit in the tank snugly. You can now solder one side of your tank.

YOU Did make a left and a right side for your tank didnt you?

At this time you will have to figure your plumbing and install the small hopper tank. use a sharp punch to make holes for the brass tubes. It doesnt matter where the hopper tank sits as long as the fuel pick ups are in the left rear of the tanks.

When you have all the internal work done you can solder on the last side of your tank.

When all done flush it out with some acetone or laquer thinner to remove the soldering flux, good idea to do this just before closing up the last side.

If anyone makes one of these and get it to work send me $25 Thanks LOL

PHIL THOMAS

 

[CySlyde]

So now Michigan is a different country?

Must have to do with the whole pinnisula thing

 

[Don Templeton]

Well, after all that, I think I'll stick with Grim! I have enough trouble building a boat. :lol: :lol:

 

[Brian MAhoney]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will trymy hand at tank building, will test thouroughly before installation. If I am unsucessfull then I will pick up a pair of tanks from Grim

 

[Mike Stutzman]

I just recieved my custom size tank for my scratch built F hydro from Mike Z. It looks absolutely beauitiful and exacally what I asked for on the phone with him.

It was the first time I've talked to him on the phone, straight forward and professional person to talk to. I already have one of his tanks in my Warlok and it also looks and works great. I ordered this new custom tank on Tuesday last week and recieved it on this Monday!!

I am a CNC machinist and I use surface/solid model software to perform 3-D machining of plastic injection molds and dies. I make alot of my own custom one of a kind parts for my boats but I'm telling you I consider my own time very valueble and will now always pay Mike Z. to make all my tanks.

Thanks Mike Z. !!!!!

Mike Stutzman

 

[[email protected]]

Hell, I have a hard enough time doing a Sullivan plasitc tank! :lol:

After hearing all that "hooper, tank, triangles, etccc........better off paying for one.

 

[Grimracer]

Thank you Mike

Grimracer

 

[Lay26]

grim while doing some small repairs i made i hole in one of your tanks, is there any hope for it ,can it be repaired? what do i need to do to fix it. the tank is one of your 10oz or something like that, with the slant , and the cut is just above the brass tube for the carb pickup

 

[EatMyShortsRacing]

I have Tanks a la Grimracer in my twin. Very nice and fit like a glove!!!

Mr Grim will have a big head by the end of this thread :unsure:

EMS Racing when only the best will do

 

[Grimracer]

grim while doing some small repairs i made i hole in one of your tanks, is there any hope for it ,can it be repaired? what do i need to do to fix it. the tank is one of your 10oz or something like that, with the slant , and the cut is just above the brass tube for the carb pickup

lay

Send it back and i can either fix it our send you a new one.. O yea.. if there is any doubt in my mind that the tank failed for some reason other then crash damage you get a new one "on me".

Rock on

Grim

Craig...thanks bud.. your all that and a bag of chips... dont know what that means its just something my daughter says.. :blink:

Grim

 

[Anders_Martinelle]

Mike, i just wonder what the letters stand for on your tank`s??

Anders