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Author Topic: Aluminum Gas Tank Fab  (Read 6838 times)

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Offline fabr

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Aluminum Gas Tank Fab
« on: December 20, 2012, 08:14:13 AM »
Just curious. It seems like we all just butt joint and weld seams in an aluminum gas tank. I've always been a bit skeptical whether or not that is the best method. Many times tanks fail at the welded butt joint seam over time. Does anyone have a better way?  ???

If working with .090 or .125 ally which would be better , the left or right fit up before welding?
« Last Edit: December 20, 2012, 08:20:35 AM by masterfabr »
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Offline Carlriddle

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Re: Aluminum Gas Tank Fab
« Reply #1 on: December 20, 2012, 01:07:17 PM »
I didn't weld mine but I bent up the pieces for the guy.  He liked it overlapped about half the thickness.  It was 3/16".  Good tack welds on inside first then final weld outside.  Seems like it made sense?? 
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Offline thedoctor

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Re: Aluminum Gas Tank Fab
« Reply #2 on: December 20, 2012, 04:56:53 PM »
I plan to use my bead roller with a lap rolling die to get an overlap. It will make it easier to weld and stronger.Tim
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Offline fabr

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Re: Aluminum Gas Tank Fab
« Reply #3 on: December 20, 2012, 07:59:28 PM »
I was thinking along the very same line. The offset lap should make a very strong tank. Does anyone actually do this though? I really,really,really do not like the thought of fire. Anything I can do to minimize it just makes sense to me.  Now for the next question,what thickness and alloy? I've always .125 3003 for tanks. Nice soft,malleable,able to deform without cracking,etc.. Better options? Why?
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"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Offline Yummi

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Re: Aluminum Gas Tank Fab
« Reply #4 on: December 20, 2012, 08:04:34 PM »
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Offline fabr

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Re: Aluminum Gas Tank Fab
« Reply #5 on: December 20, 2012, 08:10:56 PM »
Short of spending the bux for a custom fuel cell that is................................................Ever priced a custom one? LOL!!! The standard ones are bad enough but custom? LOL!!!! Yes, THAT is the best thing but even with my dislike of fire I'll settle for a well protected well designed next best thing.
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"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Offline fabr

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Re: Aluminum Gas Tank Fab
« Reply #6 on: December 20, 2012, 08:31:50 PM »
Did I mention I will need 2 tanks. One flanking each side of the mid engine. That will keep the weight further back,low as possible and balanced side to side.  Going to run E85 so I plan on carrying a minimum of 40 gallons-20 each tank.I'm just a wanna be baller. LOL!!!! I can't justify $10K for tanks. I can though build the best tank I can though with good baffling and foam.
« Last Edit: December 20, 2012, 08:40:29 PM by masterfabr »
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"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Offline Carlriddle

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Re: Aluminum Gas Tank Fab
« Reply #7 on: December 21, 2012, 05:51:25 AM »
Fabr's a baller!!  LMAO LMAO

Those custom tanks are like WTF! $$,$$$  A design with more bends than welds I'd prefer as I'm guessing the "leaks" are from weld seams.  There's a place by me called Engineer Fabrics, they make hot air ballon material, and kevlar fabric fuel cells for military fighter jets.  Suppose to not rupture in a crash.  But I's guess it be more than the $20k ones.
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Offline fabr

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Re: Aluminum Gas Tank Fab
« Reply #8 on: December 21, 2012, 11:27:52 AM »
wanna be baller.............................
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"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Offline Yummi

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Re: Aluminum Gas Tank Fab
« Reply #9 on: December 21, 2012, 01:50:42 PM »
Ballers got nothing to do with gas tanks. 

Ballers all about bro hos, bitches, looking good, talking smack and giving the appearance that they have a clue, cash or in a best case scenario - BOTH. 

I think you are out on a number of counts. 




Although .....  I could be down with some bro hos if you happen to run across any in your quest to be a baller.   

Feel free to toss em my way for safe keeping bro. 

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I like things that move.   Pretty much limits me to cars and strippers

Did you know I have a blog?  Come on now, it is 2016, everybody does.  http://www.jeepingwithdogs.com

Offline Hammerworks

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Re: Aluminum Gas Tank Fab
« Reply #10 on: December 21, 2012, 03:55:32 PM »
Sorry for the wide ass post,dont know how to fix it,
Bought this book when it came out ,think I was in 8th grade(43 now).Carried it with me everywhere,part of how I got the name Bullnerd(the Bull part came from breaking a guys nose with my math book)
Anyway,roll the edge,keeps it from distorting when you weld,makes the weld like a butt,as long as you get full penatration.Might have to scrollup or down a little.


Edit by Yummi:  Dang that is a long URL

Lets shorten this URL a bit for a smaller width page clicky here on the red part
« Last Edit: December 21, 2012, 05:05:52 PM by Yummi »
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Offline fabr

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Re: Aluminum Gas Tank Fab
« Reply #11 on: December 21, 2012, 05:10:57 PM »
I had forgotten all about that book. I have it also. Bought maybe 1985? ish. Great info in that thing. Ever try to do a tank with those radius ed corners? Fit up is a bitch ,but I'll admit the radius ed corners would be,IMO,much stronger than a 90* corner weld.  I did one for a dry sump like the oil tank shown in the book for my old door car. The radius ed lid was easy to fit up. I'm not so sure if I have the patience for a multi angle,compound shape, gas tank with all corners radius ed tho.
Logged
"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Offline fabr

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Re: Aluminum Gas Tank Fab
« Reply #12 on: December 21, 2012, 05:16:35 PM »
Quote from: Yummi on December 21, 2012, 01:50:42 PM
Ballers got nothing to do with gas tanks. 

Ballers all about bro hos, bitches, looking good, talking smack and giving the appearance that they have a clue, cash or in a best case scenario - BOTH. 

I think you are out on a number of counts. 




Although .....  I could be down with some bro hos if you happen to run across any in your quest to be a baller.   

Feel free to toss em my way for safe keeping bro. 


You're describing Glamis ballers,yumm.  ;D ;D To the rest of the world it's those with a big enough set to do what it takes to keep one step ahead of the neighbors.  rofl  Don't need the sand lot lizards. If I run across any I'll send them to G tho. What wash you stay at? ;D ;D ;D ;D
Logged
"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Offline Yummi

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Re: Aluminum Gas Tank Fab
« Reply #13 on: December 21, 2012, 05:57:32 PM »
Wash three, but thinking of moving off to Cement Flats.  Less dust, more quiet, good God I am getting old.
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I like things that move.   Pretty much limits me to cars and strippers

Did you know I have a blog?  Come on now, it is 2016, everybody does.  http://www.jeepingwithdogs.com

Offline fabr

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Re: Aluminum Gas Tank Fab
« Reply #14 on: December 21, 2012, 06:11:31 PM »
could you point out CF? I think I've missed that on the maps I have but my brain is antihistamine mush right now.
Logged
"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"
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