Author Topic: Home made fuel tank for a sport profile plane..... (Read 596 times)

Paul Smith · « **on:** January 11, 2008, 01:32:20 PM »

Some freak good weather forced me to break out of building made and test fly my new Cosmic Wind. It went OK, expect that the engine an old combat tank were not a happy family.

So I've proceeded to home build a new tank of my own design. This particular design has been facilitated by my new Sears bevel miter saw.

This tank is unlike any RTF tank in that it is a wedge tank with built-in "kick-out in the back, so it's good to the very last drop. You can get this by simply shimming a stock tank, but that wastes valuable volume where you need it most.

I bought a nice new 1 x 4 pine plank from Tony's. Of course, the true size of this "1 x 4" is more like 3/4"x 3.5"

I set the saw at 40 degrees & 10 degrees, and sliced off a few chunks. Four clunks were then glued together with Titebond to make a "tank" 3.5" by 3".

I then sliced it down to a width of 2", a height of 2" and length that just fits behind the engine.

More to follow. This is a work in process.

The wheel weaves as the wheel wills,
And none can see the pattern until it is done.

Paul Smith · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2008, 01:44:06 PM »

As I said, this a work in process.

I wrapped the form in brass shim stock and creased the edges with crude hand tools.

Of course the sheet metal won't wrap perfected around such an irregular shape, so it cut it oversize and planned to seam for unseen side.

The tank is marked on the inside with a Sharpie so it can be cut to size with a tinners' snips.

[size=8t]This may be the beginning of an age,
Or the end of an age,
Or theend of ages,
The wheel weaves as the wheel will,
And none can see thepatern until it is done.[/size]

Russell Shaffer · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2008, 05:56:51 PM »

That is one pretty roll of brass. Where, by chance, did you acquire it? That is a very nice job on your tank.

Paul Smith · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2008, 07:45:37 PM »

Thanks,

It's a roll of .010 brass shim stock made by Precision Brand. I bought it a "Mill Supply", or maybe "Production Tool" about 30 years ago, and I'm just now getting toward the end.

Paul Smith · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2008, 07:32:58 AM »

OK, more progress.

The band is soldered with the block inside. The clamps are moved a little at a time until the long seam is soldered.
Next, the ends of the band are filed square to the block.

The two end caps are made on the empty block. On this tank, the end caps are sized to go INSIDE, so the tank mounts flat.

It's easy the install the front (small) end. The block is used to press in the front plug whilst it is being soldered.

The big plug, back end takes a bit of finesse. This is helped by soldering on some tempory handles made of scrap brass.

The fuel feed line is installed to use for pressure testing.

Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend,
Legend fades to myth and even myth is long forgotten when
the Age that gave it birth comes again.

Paul Smith · « **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2008, 07:42:36 AM »

All done in about a day's work.

The completed tank weighs 1.5 ounces and has a capacity of 3.5 ounces of fuel. It fits the model perfectly and includes a nice Vee with the back end outboard to insure that both the pickup and uniflow vents stay submarine.

I favor using a pair of filler/vents so I can connect them with a piece of tubing and not have a plug to lose. I can refuel the plane in sitting position without messing with the fuel feed. With plug line pulled, I can easily refuel whether the fueler has a piece of flex on it or not.

Compared to other skills (spray painting, engine machining, lazer cutting) TANK BUILDING has a very low investment cost and a very high payback.

Getting the right solder is an ongoing issue. I only buy it once every five years or so. The offerings at local stores (and the stores themselves) are always different. The solder I used on this tank didn't come out as pretty as I would like it, but it holds pressure OK. So maybe in 2013 I'll do better. The really-bad stuff becomes tip weight.

Of course ultimate success can only be validated in the air, hopefully before April. Who knows? If it works, I may be driven to find a contest sooner.

The lives of men and the lives of nations
are but threads and fibers in
the lace of fate.
The Wheel weaves.....

Here's the final installation. Glued on with silicone and backed up with 1/2A line and CA. I don't believe in "adjustable" setups for smaller sport planes. More weight and bulk than it's worth, plus guaranteed leaks. If I'm wrong, I'll cut it off and reglue it, but I'm confident I'm right.

Note: The uniflow vent is above and inboard of the fuel mass. A key element that is often overlooked. This assures not loss of fuel.

Author Topic: Home made fuel tank for a sport profile plane..... (Read 596 times)

Paul Smith

Home made fuel tank for a sport profile plane.....

Paul Smith

Re: Home made fuel tank for a sport profile plane.....

Russell Shaffer

Re: Home made fuel tank for a sport profile plane.....

Paul Smith

Re: Home made fuel tank for a sport profile plane.....

Paul Smith

Re: Home made fuel tank for a sport profile plane.....

Paul Smith

Re: Home made fuel tank for a sport profile plane.....