If I build a custom gas tank, what material should I use? Mild steel would be easy, but would it get all rusty inside? I'm thinking maybe stainless, but have not welded it much. I can gas weld, or mig, but I don't have tig. What material would be best? If you recommend stainless, what grade and how do I weld it? Thanks, Joel
Stainless- either 308 or 316. I don't see so well as I used to but I,m still a fair hand with a welder. Stainless can be MIG'ed with stainless wire and the right sheilding gas, but unless it is TIG welded odds are 10 to 1 that it's gonna leak. MIG can be pretty and it can be strong, but it will leak. Advice from an OLD welder/pipe fitter.
saying "10 to 1" a MIG weld is going to leak is pretty far fetched. even if a MIG weld DOES end up leaking, that is what pressure testing is for. even a TIG weld can end up porous and leak
Thanks, Chubby. That's what I've heard about mig. Can I gas weld that stuff? Thirty-some years ago I was in vo-tech for gas welding, and learned to weld pipeline leak-free. But that was mild steel, I didn't learn anything about stainless
I built one out of 16 ga sheet.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275904&highlight=gas
I looked into this too. Being new at a few things and willing to try anything, this is what i found. Not having the experience with stainless i was going to try the 16 ga sheet as well. It can be done nicely but the tank needs to be properly treated for longevity(etched and coated). After doing the math I can purchase one for a lot less $ and headaches,,,,,,but i am stubborn and may trying it soon anyway.Good luck.
My buddy built one out of 1/16 inch plate. It was for an off road truck and he wasnt concernd about weight, he used flux core and it still doesnt leak. he preasure tested it and just rewelded any spots that leaked, but i dont think he had any.
I'm so out of date on the latest stuff it ain't funny. I'm not aware of any GOOD way to s***ch up SS with out a TIG torch. Rent a welder from a welding supply house, if you can weld with a gas torch you know 85% of what you need to know about it. If that's not a viable option form it, clamp it up, clean up the seams, and tote it to a good shop ready to weld. They'll love ya for it.
I was an Engineer / QA guy at an ASME Code pressure vessel shop for 18 years. The shop built steel and stainless steel pressure vessels ranging from sheet metal gauge through 2" thick. They used MIG, Flux Core and Submerged Arc on every vessel, no stick, no TIG. Every vessel was hydrotested. In 18 years I only remember (2) leaks at weld seams. Had one of my welder buddies mig weld a custom stainless tank for my Model A. We water tested it, it didn't leak. Cars been on the road for 14 years, never leaked. MIG is just fine as long as the welder is experienced at making water tight welds.
Also from an OLD steamfitter/welder-----i've made a few gas tanks using MIG on 16 ga. formed regular hot roll. No problems, after all, aren't most cars gas tanks thin steel????-------Don
You can gas weld stainless. do some research on it. I know Tin Man, Kent White, is a big advocate of gas welding, and sells proper supplies, including flux, on his website. Car tanks ARE made of regular steel, but are coated afterwards with lead or tin, to prevent corrosion. Hard to do at home!
Stainless steel fuel tanks always remind me of catering equipment. Go with aluminium and rubber mounts. Looks better and easier to work than s/s as well.
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