Stainless steel tanks

[thomas erb]

So I just got a tig welder and was going to make some tanks maybe some out of aluminum and see how they turn out seeing if there was some interest in this

 

[Tom Foley]

Save the welder for larger projects ! Soldering is the preferred and time tested method for tank construction . Thin aluminum will crack over time anyway .

 

[Jeff Lutz]

Save the welder for larger projects ! Soldering is the preferred and time tested method for tank construction . Thin aluminum will crack over time anyway .

. Yep. Especially since 6061 for instance losses almost half its strength when welded.

 

[Grimracer]

SS or Aluminum.. Im not going to tell ya this might not work out.. Build a few and give it a go.. Then purchase a Walt Barny tank and compare.

Grim

 

[thomas erb]

It's all in good fun I figured a ss tank that was tig welder would maybe hold up a little bit better

 

[Blackout]

If you are good at TIG welding it should work good. Give it a try.

 

[thomas erb]

I'll post some pics when I get some thing built

 

[bzubee]

Don't forget the internal surge tanks like Walt uses.

 

[Andy Greene]

SS or Aluminum.. Im not going to tell ya this might not work out.. Build a few and give it a go.. Then purchase a Walt Barny tank and compare.

Grim

Agreed ..........

 

[thomas erb]

So I got some progress done on the aluminum tank today this is just a prototype to see how it will work out

 

[Tom Foley]

Switch to 2 % -thoriated -1/16" tungsten , # 4 cup , 1/16 " rod . Tack every 1/2 " . A few thousand more feet of welding and you may have it !

 

[Tom Foley]

How thick is your material and what alloy ? 5052 -H-32 seems to be the best in general for fuel tanks . We build many larger tanks .

 

[thomas erb]

It's 1/8 I believe 6061 I just redid the take on solid works just have to get it cut out now and weld it up

 

[Tom Foley]

1/8 " pretty heavy for this app . Setup the sizing for full penetration weld , full fillet along the seams . I would use .080 " or .090 " if you have it available JM2C .

 

[dave roach]

When you can weld a gum rapper then your good.

Dave

 

[Blackout]

What thickness are most stainless tanks? Seems like twice the thickness using aluminum would be good.

 

[Tom Foley]

What thickness are most stainless tanks? Seems like twice the thickness using aluminum would be good.

Vibration is a killer of thin aluminum parts . Work hardening of the material from vibration causes cracks . Very challenging to weld thin aluminum precisely .

 

[thomas erb]

I really don't think a tank out of 1/8 in aluminum is going to crack and is still light

 

[Blackout]

What thickness aluminum are people TIG welding their custom pipes with?

I had a friend TIG weld .035" wall aluminum muffler sections to two of my pipes.

A pipe will surely see more stresses than a fuel tank.

You can MIG weld 1/8" aluminum.....

 

[Grimracer]

A SS tank (Typical build) is between .008 and .010"..

Grim