Stainless steel tanks

[Blackout]

Thanks for the info Mike.

Since aluminum has roughly 1/3 the density of stainless steel, going any thicker than .03" with aluminum will make your tank heavier than a stainless tank....

 

[Tom Foley]

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.....

TIG is far more controllable and will produce better results every time over MIG . The .035 will likely crack depending on amount of filler rod used and support of the muffler .

Thomas , keep going with your project , depending on how much time you put on the tanks they may work for you . always good to experiment , much is learned .

 

[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.....

TIG is far more controllable and will produce better results every time over MIG . The .035 will likely crack depending on amount of filler rod used and support of the muffler .

Thomas , keep going with your project , depending on how much time you put on the tanks they may work for you . always good to experiment , much is learned .

I understand TIG is better than MIG. That's why I was wondering why you implied there would be cracking issues using thinner material. That was my point, sorry I was not more clear. I'm all for Thomas's project.

 

[Tom Foley]

I still feel there will be cracking issues over time simply based on what I have seen in 30 years of welding and fabrication of many different types of metals . If the tank can be isolated from vibration if space permits it may live . Just my observations over time . I have also had to repair / reinforce the corners of some of the many mild steel and stainless tanks I have had made / have made over the years . Go for it Thomas !

 

[thomas erb]

Thanks for all the input guys I will keep going at this and keep you posted on progress