First Project - Header Tank

[Gizmo.Y]

Need to build the tank is pictured below...Now, not sure what i should make it out of. Want to make it from Alloy, of course, but what sort of thickness, 1mm? 3mm? It wont be under any pressure (a Maximum of 1-3psi at Max.

Its a header tank for my charge cooling system.

 

[super noob]

16g would be better I think, then buy the weld on fittings from speed flow

 

[Richard.]

Looks a nice little project. Those sort of low pressures are not going to effect it despite thickness so it's really a case of weighing up what you want to work with. Thinner stuff is easier to work with from a rolling/bending/forming PoV but then it's also more likely to exaggerate distortion and be much less forgiving from a welding PoV if fit up isn't spot on.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

I don't think I'd go any thicker than 2mm personally, I'd be more likely to use 1.6mm.

 

[hotrodder]

As said 1.5mm is more than thick enough. Even for much larger tanks if there's enough shape to them, stiffness through geometry and all that. On the flip side something like a basic flat sided 1.5 - 2 litre header tank made from 2mm 1050 or 3103 ally with a 'proper' rad cap WILL change shape a bit after a few heat cycles

 

[Rrunnach]

After looking at your previous al/al attempts. I would suggest matl thickness of minimum 2.5 (12swg) max 3mm (10swg). While 1.6mm (16swg) would be suffice according to previous posts, which will probably be accurate. You need more weld time before attempting welding 16 swg alloy.

 

[mark williams]

What spec ally do you lads use for fuel tanks?

 

[Brad93]

3003 if you can get it, if not 1050.

That's what Hotrodder told me recently.