Builds Fly By Night (17 Viewers)

[RUSH55]

Two days of mulling over this tank build has netted a decent learning curve.
Lots of debate over what the better fuel tank material is, but it’s obvious that the majority of tank builders go with aluminum (aluminium) from several reasons - cost, ease of fabricating/welding, anti-corrosive, etc...
I pulled up a weight calculation website and found the .075 stainless to weigh in at over 3lbs a square foot while 1/8” 5052 aluminum is 1.75lbs a square foot and 3/16” 5052 is 2.62lbs per square foot. All in all looking at a stainless tank that weighs 90lbs vs a 3/16” aluminum tank that weighs 70 lbs, which with ~40 gallons of gas weighs in at around 320ish, which to me seems to be a pretty good trade off.

The method I’m thinking about using for the construction is folding the edges of the top and bottom sections 1/4” - 1/2” and fitting the sides inside of the folds to create a mechanical lock. But now I’m wondering if I’d be able to make bends on 3/16” aluminum - will 5052 need to be annealed before bending?

 

[J Mack]

will 5052 need to be annealed before bending?

Shouldn't,

5052. 5052 is a close second. At the annealed temper, it has an elongation of 20% and the difference between yield and tensile strength of 21.5 Ksi. It is the highest strength alloy of the more common non-heat treatable grades. It has excellent corrosion behavior and in the annealed condition has better formability than 3003 or even 1100 alloys, with 21.5 Ksi of difference between yield and tensile strength and up to 20% of elongation

 

[fj55-100]

Dont weld a gas tank thats had fuel in it. Aint worth it

some of us do that before breakfast ,,

 

[RUSH55]

Some info for reference

A nifty calculator for determining metal weights

Steel Weight Calculator - Stainless, Aluminum, Nickel, Titanium & More! | TW Metals

Purchase Order Calculator. Metal, shape, weight, size, and number of pieces.

www.twmetals.com

 

[scrapdaddy]

You wouldn't have to anneal (heat treat) the stainless to bend it would you, at least I don't on small stuff around here. I did snap a 1/4" thick piece of alum. trying to bend a 90, but just heated it and didn't quench it. There's a lot to mull over in here.

 

[RUSH55]

No, stainless would bend like normal steel. Another reason why I was considering it.

 

[Megadoomer]

Do a 1 inch chamfer so you are only bending 45 degrees. It would be ridged too.

 

[RUSH55]

What do you mean, ‘Doomer? I’m not following...

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I think he means bend 1” at 45 degrees and then do another 45 degree bend to complete your 90.

Edit: bend everything 45 degrees and then make another 45 degree bend 1” away from the first 45 bend to complete your 90. Maybe that’s clearer.... or not.

 

[RUSH55]

Give it more of a rounder profile?

 

[RUSH55]

Changing the tank to a 32” width. May need to increase the depth another inch to retain an ~40 gallon capacity. If Doomer is talking about 2 bends at 45* to make the edges, maybe 2”+ bends instead and have the sides overlap more internally, could be quite a bit stronger than straight up 90* bends.

Now I’d just have to figure out how to make all those bends

 

[RUSH55]

4’ x 8’ x 3/16” sheet of 5052 aluminum - $270

Two dollars more than the sheet of 0.075” stainless

 

[RUSH55]

Radiused bends

 

[J Mack]

If you are going with 3/16" then just weld the corners.

 

[Megadoomer]

if you chamfer the front and rear lip you can still put a rake on the bottom to guild the gas better to the front. Or do what Jmack sez.

 

[RUSH55]

Ordered a 4x8 of 3/16” 5052. Should be in next week.

Something showed up in the mail, and got a piece of 14ga sheetmetal bent up to go along with that soon to unfold project.

Now the owner of this piece of the puzzle...

 

[RUSH55]

Immediately went to harness labeling and removal. Got a new laundry list now.

 

[brisveganbj42]

nnniiiccceee!

 

[Ol Yeller]

nnniiiccceee!

Yeah x2

nnniiiccceee!

 

[xtiaan2000]

From where did you get it, ...etc!