Hello all,
I have a small diesel generator and I thought that buying a aprximately correct size and shape fuel tank would not be a problem. I was wrong:
http://madmodder.net/index.php/topic,10272.msg116460.html#msg116460I need a small (10-20 litre, 3-6 gal) fuel tank that has to fit on certain space, in my case ( abot 40 * 40 *15 cm , 16x16x6") and has to store diesel.
I probably will settle for a compromise now, but I would like to figure out how I could make a fuel tank if I need to. Material will dictate a lot and acessories too.
1) Because I can find thick walled HDPE or thin PE fuel containers that "almost" fits I was trying to find if I could make them fit. I asked myt brother who went to school to learn about palstics. Turns out that: a) Rotomolded PE can't be very succesfully moulded to another shape, it tends to retain it's original shape (Darn, my first plan was to make correct shape bould of wood, heat up ready made canister and press/blow it to new shape. B) it does not glue well at all, it can be welded but weld tned to be porous....there went my another plan to buy one container that is of correct shape, but has screw top on wrong side. He has weld it with a hot air gun and they tested specimens, I don't expect to do better home.
But I remember this "How It's Made" episode where they friction welded a lid ot a camper car tank. The cap assembly was spun with a electric drill until plastics was gel and then pressed and held until it solidified. I clould not find it on this list:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_How_It%27s_Made_episodesI only found this one, Plastic Gasoline Containers
2) Welded sheet metal construction. My brother can weld alminium and it's not too hard to find weld unions to Al tanks, but it I haven't found anything other that "racing" filling and breather parts to them. Price and work escalates.
3) Mad modder solution, found a stainless steel kitchen sink of proper shape and size. It is very thin, just wondering that how to seal ss sheet "top" to thin "bowl". I have to ponder this a litle before going any further, it just looks temping, but welding thin stinless steel not.
Pekka
* Update, Found correct term "Spin welding":
And another interesting video: