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what's best steel thickness to fabricate a fuel tank from?
will121 - 3/6/12 at 02:24 PM

I'm looking to fabricate a smaller fuel tank for track day fiesta to run a internal high pressure pump as standard, tank will be about 3.5 gallons is 1mm think steel to thin or better with 1.5mm.
Tank will be under slung in basically original position and believe its better to gas or tig weld rather than mig?

Talon Motorsport - 3/6/12 at 02:43 PM

Unless you have a good quality feed motor on your MIG you might struggle to find a balance between the amps and the feed rate of the wire on 1mm material, if you have access to a TIG then I'd make the most of using it as you'll be able to see that the edges are being sealed as you go.

FuryRebuild - 3/6/12 at 03:13 PM

Definitely tig. It's neater and better at thin panels. I would also go stainless if you can - it's really nice to tig and won't rot.

scoop - 3/6/12 at 03:20 PM

Use Ali and add baffles if you have Tig

will121 - 3/6/12 at 03:35 PM

i have a mig and access to gas and a tig but only a basic scratch start one and not that prolific with it yet (and im no good at welding ali), as most will be external 90deg welds was thinking gas might do the trick but about 10 years since i done that, would 1.5mm distort less?

[Edited on 3/6/12 by will121]

big_wasa - 3/6/12 at 03:41 PM

So much nicer with the Tig, with less filler and more control you will get less chance of pin holes . But it will take longer.

Peteff - 3/6/12 at 05:54 PM

I split the difference and used 18g, about 1.2mm and it went alright with the mig (not a cheapo welder though). I folded the ends over the sides so it was welded on the flat though not sharp edge to edge.

will121 - 3/6/12 at 06:31 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
I split the difference and used 18g, about 1.2mm and it went alright with the mig (not a cheapo welder though). I folded the ends over the sides so it was welded on the flat though not sharp edge to edge.


That's an idea, I modified a steel winged baffled sump that way and was oil tight, or did think of in setting the ends to do an internal 90 degree weld

motorcycle_mayhem - 3/6/12 at 07:51 PM

Seems perverse to me that you're considering steel for this role, but hey, what do I know.

Alloy just has so many advantages, all the JIC fittings, ready formed necks and caps are all widely available.

will121 - 3/6/12 at 08:32 PM

quote:
Originally posted by motorcycle_mayhem
Seems perverse to me that you're considering steel for this role, but hey, what do I know.

Alloy just has so many advantages, all the JIC fittings, ready formed necks and caps are all widely available.


If I could weld aluminium I would, but I can't hence option of steel, may be lighter but at only 3 gallons in size and out of view thought steel a easier diy way, don't like the thought of paying someone else to make it if I can learn and save a pound in the process.

mad4x4 - 4/6/12 at 09:07 AM

You can weld stainless with a MIG if you have the right gas & wire
You can weld Ali with a mig if you have the right gas & wire

What about brazing?


There's also this stuff - Saw it at Stoneleigh -
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiThO-UQIWE&feature=related[/url]

[Edited on 4/606/12 by mad4x4]

[Edited on 4/606/12 by mad4x4]

will121 - 4/6/12 at 10:19 AM

quote:
Originally posted by mad4x4
You can weld stainless with a MIG if you have the right gas & wire
You can weld Ali with a mig if you have the right gas & wire

What about brazing?


There's also this stuff - Saw it at Stoneleigh -




[Edited on 4/606/12 by mad4x4]

[Edited on 4/606/12 by mad4x4]


[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiThO-UQIWE&feature=related]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiThO-UQIWE&feature=related

I have tried that before with some success, but not sure i would be happy with it for a fuel tank,