---------------------------------------------------------- Zenith-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Fri 02/20/09: 2 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 04:37 AM - Re: Leaky Prosealed Tank (ashontz) 2. 05:09 PM - Any Builders in the Nashville area (Keith Ashcraft) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 04:37:47 AM PST US Subject: Zenith-List: Re: Leaky Prosealed Tank From: "ashontz" The second tank, I'm only going to weld the drain fitting, the other fittings are going to be bulkhead fittings from Aircraft Spruce. I've already had luck with the vent using a bulkhead fitting, I'll do the same deal with the outlet on the second one. Yeah, the aluminum welding is difficult to master, but my seams look pretty good these days. I'm going to try to post some pixs on my mykitlog site. I'm using a oxy-acetelene jeweler's torch from Harbor Freight. Nice and lightweight. With plenty of flux on the parts and the rod the welding seems to proceed nicely. In fact, what I'm finding is, if it's not going smooth as silk, then the metal is starting to get oxidized and it's time to either immediately get more flux on the part and rod or move to another area and come back to that area later on a second welding pass after a cool down and clean up. When the welding is going right, it actually progresses pretty quickly and an entire end seam can be completed in about 10 minutes or less. I've got my two ends welded with a few areas I'm going to go back and clean up and just the long seam to do, then it's on to the second tank. Seams like 90% of the welding is either getting ready to weld or cleanup after welding. Another thing, I decided to make my tanks out of .050 3003, it's welds a lot easier. I also added a slide-in baffle assembly to my tank which you can check out once I post my pix. leinad wrote: > Andy, > I was planning on welding the tanks, so I had the weldable fittings that ACS sells. I had also gotten OK at welding the seams with my oxy acetylene set up, but I just wasn't confident enough to do my tanks with it. These weldable fittings are riveted from inside the tanks. I pro-sealed and riveted these before I riveted the seams. > Dan > > > > ashontz wrote: > > Dan, what kind of fitting are you using for the drain? I'm guessing it's some sort of riveted fitting? I welded that fitting on the first tank I made (as well as the outlet fitting), but if I can get away without welding either that's fine by me. Just welded seams suits me fine. The only advantage I see with a welded drain fitting is that it can be flush welded before I form the tank skin. > > > > One other thing, I moved my fuel sender to the top of the tank like Scott Laughlins. However, instead of welding an aluminum mounting ring to the tank, I just made up a horseshoe shaped fitting as a backer plate. The advantage of the horseshoe shape, I can insert it through the access hole after the fact. If it ever needs maintenance, like I strip a thread or something, just make a new one and put it in there. And again, NO WELDING on a problematic part. I've welded a few fittings, they're a lot harder than edge welds. Edge welds are about all I want to mess with, but they do look nice. :) > > > > > > leinad wrote: > > > Andy, > > > In fact, to find my slow leak I did have to submerge it. As much as I tried the soapy water just wasn't cutting it. Bill has a good point though, you won't be able to submerge the hole tank easily. I only had to submerge the seams I was inspecting under a few inches of water in my bathtub to find the leak. My tanks only had about 1 PSI air pressure in them, as I felt that anymore pressure would have damaged them. To pressurize the tanks i used a bicycle pump and a nozzle as used on bladder tanks (as in a house on well water). I'll attach a picture. > > > Dan > > > > > > > > > ashontz wrote: > > > > How about submerging the entire tank in water while it's pressurized and look for leaks, like they do with car tires at your local Tire World? > > > > > > > > I'm just about to test one of my tanks (welded) and I think I'll do it that way myself. > > > > > > -------- Andy Shontz do not archive CH601XL - Corvair www.mykitlog.com/ashontz Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=231195#231195 ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 05:09:19 PM PST US From: Keith Ashcraft Subject: Zenith-List: Any Builders in the Nashville area All, I am going to be TDY in the Manchester, TN area March 1-7. I will be flying into Nashville on Sunday, March 1, and driving down to Manchester that afternoon (around 3:00). Are there any builders / fliers close to that area that I could visit for the afternoon? I am willing to provide free labor for the afternoon!!!!( if you need help flipping wings, pulling rivets, etc...) Contact me offline. Keith cH701builder@yahoo.com CH701 - scratch mostly N 38.9940 W 105.1305 Alt. 9,100' ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message zenith-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Zenith-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/zenith-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/zenith-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.