Gas tank

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For those of you who have made custom gas tanks what material do you use? What Thickness? Where do you find all the fittings you need? Would it just be cheaper in the long run to buy a one off instead of build?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalkif you can step across it I can weld it.
Reply:10 to 14 gauge 5052 aluminum alloy for some.  3003 for others.  You need to design for the environment.  Marine tanks will ideally be made from a more corrosion resistant grade of material.  5052 is stronger, but can be difficult to form without cracking; depending on the bend radii and material thickness.  So you design will influence the material choice here as well.It's cheaper to buy a fuel cell in most instances than it is to make one.  The only reason I've found to justify making one is if it has to fit a certain set of dimensions and you can't get an off the shelf cell in the right size.Something else to keep in mind as well.  DOT and the coast guard maritime regulations have destructive testing requirements for fuel tanks.  One of the tests involves filling a tank and dropping it from a specified height onto a corner of the tank.  The tank must survive the test without leaking.  So if you're thinking of manufacturing tanks as a business, you need to educate yourself regarding these regulations.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:I've done some work on steel gas tanks. I'll never weld one again, but the one I worked on was made from 10 gauge steel. It was all square though, no bends. Made to fit in the back of a pick up truck.John 3:16(2) Miller Pheonix 456(2) Millermertic 252Dynasty 210DXHobart 210MVPDoringer D350 SA Cold SawScotchman 350LT Cold SawWebb 10x50 MillWebb 15x40 LatheGeka Bendicrop Ironworker
Reply:That's basically all this is, it's 23"x19"x(x)  with over hang on the top so I can bolt it directly to the frame In between frame rails but I was thinking aluminum or stainless. And it's not production just personal use. I'd like to be the guy all the hot rodders call tho haha.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalkif you can step across it I can weld it.
Reply:I build all fuel tanks or cells with min 3/16" Alu for and application like your id step up to 1/4inch with a couple baffles anything less and I'd put a dollar on it cracking just cause it's only supported by two sides. If it's for the u.s. Coast guard approved it has to be min 1/4inch 5052 throughout the tank
Reply:Ive built a bunch from scratch from mild steel and aluminum. Be careful with the hotrod/motorcycle crowd tho. They want everything for free on there $50,000 already invested projects. I built this tank dead nuts specific to what the guy wanted and to fit his bike. Took about two weeks straight, late nights after work fabbing, welding, machining, fitting and welding. When the guy showed up he looked at it and said " Eh... can you make it a little wider?, I wanna take this bike on long runs". I said your kidding me right? He said well I been thinking about it and I wanted long and lean, but now I'm thinking I don't wanna have to keep gassing up. I picked it up and threw it across my basement right into a pile of junk parts and told the guy to get the F out and don't ever call me again. These guys are all the same. Just watch who you deal with and play hard. I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeIve built a bunch from scratch from mild steel and aluminum. Be careful with the hotrod/motorcycle crowd tho. They want everything for free on there $50,000 already invested projects. I built this tank dead nuts specific to what the guy wanted and to fit his bike. Took about two weeks straight, late nights after work fabbing, welding, machining, fitting and welding. When the guy showed up he looked at it and said " Eh... can you make it a little wider?, I wanna take this bike on long runs". I said your kidding me right? He said well I been thinking about it and I wanted long and lean, but now I'm thinking I don't wanna have to keep gassing up. I picked it up and threw it across my basement right into a pile of junk parts and told the guy to get the F out and don't ever call me again. These guys are all the same. Just watch who you deal with and play hard.
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelI've built motors for guys like that. They want a 150hp v-twin that you can ride anywhere in the world on a whim. 12:1 compression and extreme reliability just don't go together very well.
Reply:Where I live everyone wants something for nothing if fine with going to court about itSent from my iPhone using Tapatalkif you can step across it I can weld it.
Reply:It's too bad that's the attitude aswell, causing a lot of talent to be unmotivatedSent from my iPhone using Tapatalkif you can step across it I can weld it.
Reply:Originally Posted by hydeIt's too bad that's the attitude aswell, causing a lot of talent to be unmotivatedSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:weldermike, I will gladly take that tank off your hands.   My dad stole my aluminum fat katz about 10 years ago and still has not replaced it.  although when i visit he does let me ride his bike he put it on.  says its the best gas tank he ever owned.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeHeck yeah Gravel! I deal with it everyday. I actually turn down more jobs than I take with my side work. These guys will just exhaust you to death with no concern about time, labor and whats involved. And I love when they say they built it.
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelYeah, frustrating sometimes. I don't do much work for others anymore. Mostly just work on my own and family stuff.I always told customers they would have a brake light warranty. Brake light comes on = warranty expired.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeSame here  I'm telling ya bro, the young import guys are the move even if your not into there bikes and cars. They don't mind spending, and they spread the word for you quick. The $50 hits add up quick too. They break everything with those slammed to the ground cars. One kid came all the way from New Jersey to have me build him something, he was so happy he mailed me a cooler full of Omaha Steaks a week later.
Reply:Originally Posted by abecI build all fuel tanks or cells with min 3/16" Alu for and application like your id step up to 1/4inch with a couple baffles anything less and I'd put a dollar on it cracking just cause it's only supported by two sides. If it's for the u.s. Coast guard approved it has to be min 1/4inch 5052 throughout the tank
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeIve built a bunch from scratch from mild steel and aluminum. Be careful with the hotrod/motorcycle crowd tho. They want everything for free on there $50,000 already invested projects. I built this tank dead nuts specific to what the guy wanted and to fit his bike. Took about two weeks straight, late nights after work fabbing, welding, machining, fitting and welding. When the guy showed up he looked at it and said " Eh... can you make it a little wider?, I wanna take this bike on long runs". I said your kidding me right? He said well I been thinking about it and I wanted long and lean, but now I'm thinking I don't wanna have to keep gassing up. I picked it up and threw it across my basement right into a pile of junk parts and told the guy to get the F out and don't ever call me again. These guys are all the same. Just watch who you deal with and play hard.
Reply:Thanks Steve. Yeah man I'm pretty much on board with things today. I don't focus so much at the job at task as I do focusing on judging the person in front of me. I turn away a lot of jobs that would be worth the moolah and good experience. What I like to do is let people talk. Most of the time if you keep quiet they just bury themselves without even knowing what they did. I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by docwelderyikes mike! you were taking no prisoner's that day but yeah, we have a gasser crowd at my facility and their forever finding their way into my shop for the proverbial, "this will only take five minutes", job and not even a stale donut after.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeOh brother do I feel your pain! At work I get approached with warned caution. And when I deal with a gentleman that is very appreciative and they ask what they owe me I usually respond with nothing bud. Maybe you can help me one day. Some guys will argue with me but I will not take money for side work done on the job, even if I work through my breaks. I get a lot of cases of beer left in the bed of my truck.  The guys that get nothing from me are the ones that bury themselves saying so and so sent me here, perks of the job are great! What! Fck off!
Reply:Originally Posted by docweldermike; i won't take cash for that kind of stuff either but if i had a bagel or slice of pizza for every guy that said i'm bringing in tomorrow i could open my own restaurant. i've fixed dozens of chinese yodel wrapper flower stands and cheesy garden bench brackets and it seems once they hit the door on the way out they get amnesia.
Reply:I sense some resentment, i for one am 24 and prefer my old cars currently building a 68 c10 to be my light duty welding truck I've always been kind of rushed to get life going and get a business on the road sorta speak..if you can step across it I can weld it.
Reply:so anyone know where to order those fittings...if you can step across it I can weld it.
Reply:Mooneyes.com bud.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:For the tanks I've built I've source fittings from Grainger or McMaster Carr.  Large, heavy wall pipe couplers, cut in half, make decent fittings for mounting pumps or such in steel tanks.  For aluminum tanks, you can get the fittings from Summit Racing.  They sell threaded, weldable bungs, and fuel sending units, pretty much everything needed for modifying an aluminum tank. Originally Posted by hydeso anyone know where to order those fittings...Perfect I didn't think summit would sell something like that. May have to take a look appreciate all the help!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalkif you can step across it I can weld it.