Shaping plastic tanks

[Dennis Toth]

Guys,
I am working on a new ship and need to fit a tank into a limited space. One option I thought might work is to take a rectangular plastic tank and reshape it to fit what I want. Has anyone reshaped any of these tanks and what method did you use?

Best,    DennisT

[Leester]

I heated one of the RST tanks with my monokote heat gun to push the bubble down where the vent tube went to fit in a tighter space. I guess you could try that to reshape on an old one to test.

[Paul Taylor]

Yep. Just did it last week in my ARF Nobler. Needed to squeeze a 6oz tank in between the motor mounts to get it lower in the nose. (Engine is already raised)

Grabbed it with two pair of vise grips opened real wide, got the monokote heat gun and squeeze in it on the top. Let it cool and the tank fit.

Simple and easy. Still need to test fly it.

[Dennis Toth]

Guys,
I have heard of some way to cut plastic tanks to shorten them and "plastic weld" the sections back together. I like round tanks, the problem is the size that fits is the 4 oz which is sometimes more fuel than needed and to long for the tank compartment available. Being able to shorten it say a 1/2" solves both problems.

Does anyone know how this is done?

Best,     DennisT

[Wynn Robins]

Guys,
I have heard of some way to cut plastic tanks to shorten them and "plastic weld" the sections back together. I like round tanks, the problem is the size that fits is the 4 oz which is sometimes more fuel than needed and to long for the tank compartment available. Being able to shorten it say a 1/2" solves both problems.

Does anyone know how this is done?

Best,     DennisT

not easily!!!!  the plastic used for tanks in niegh impossible to weld.....you CAN do it if you buy the right rods and have the skills - last time I hecked the rod were more than a new plane!

[Dennis Toth]

Guys,
Did a little "Google" on plastic welding and found some interesting stuff. There were several U-Tube video's that basically show using a variable temperature soldering iron. The technique seems to be first to tac the pieces in several spots then draw the iron down the seam and finally using the iron to seal over the seam. In some spots they use a little extra material to fill in pretty much like soldering. The variable temp iron is available from Harbor Freight for around $17. I will try this and give some feed back.

Best,         DennisT

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