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Scratch Building Fuel Tank

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bill_dom(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 2:20 pm Post subject: Scratch Building Fuel Tank

I’m strongly leaning toward building my fuel tanks using the riveting and pro-seal method instead of welding it. I read the archives and there where a significant number of  builders using the pro-seal method in the past. I have 2 questions;



Is there any Zodiac currently flying with the pro-sealed and riveted tank method?   

      How sensitive to humidity is pro-seal when being applied?

    

      William Dominguez

Zodiac 601XL Plans

Miami Florida

   [quote][b]

Afterfxllc(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 2:34 pm Post subject: Scratch Building Fuel Tank

William I don't know if this will help you or not but all Vans aircraft  fuel 

tanks are built with rivets and pro seal and I can tell you that if you go  

that route you need to be ready for it to get every where. If you think about 

it  getting on something chances are it will be there. But it is some good 

stuff and  if you aren't gonna use it for a while after you buy it keep it in the 

fridge it  lasts longer.

 

Jeff

 



Iâ€™m strongly leaning toward building my fuel tanks using the  riveting and 

pro-seal method instead of welding it. I read the archives and  there where a 

significant number of  builders using the  pro-seal method in the past. I have 2 

questions;



Is there any Zodiac currently flying with the pro-sealed  and riveted tank 

method? 

How sensitive to humidity is pro-seal when being  applied?



William Dominguez

Zodiac 601XL Plans

Miami  Florida

 



************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com

carlossa52(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 2:48 pm Post subject: Scratch Building Fuel Tank

William, I am not flying yet, but I can share my building experience with you.

I have a bunch of pictures I can send your way - let me know...

(Actually, I have a 12.4 MB power point file I used for a presentation at the local EAA chapter). 



I found that the trick is plenty of planning and preparation.



Carlos



On 03/07/07, William Dominguez < bill_dom(at)yahoo.com (bill_dom(at)yahoo.com)> wrote:[quote]  I'm strongly leaning toward building my fuel tanks using the riveting and pro-seal method instead of welding it. I read the archives and there where a significant number of   builders using the pro-seal method in the past. I have 2 questions;



Is there any Zodiac currently flying with the pro-sealed and riveted tank method?   

      How sensitive to humidity is pro-seal when being applied? 

    

      William Dominguez

Zodiac 601XL Plans

Miami Florida

[b]

bill_dom(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 3:19 pm Post subject: Scratch Building Fuel Tank

Yes, I've also spent some time in the RV list archive and learned that the pro-seal is a very messy operation. The problem with the other alternative (welding) is either, buy a Tig welder (for the price of a tig welder you can buy the tanks from ZAC), gas weld it (need like a year or more to learn) or have it weld it by a professional (I don't know any good welder who could be up to the task and I don't like the idea of knowing someone is not good until your parts have been damaged). So the DIY with the messy pro-seal seems to be the best alternative.



William Dominguez

Zodiac 601XL Plans

Miami Florida



Afterfxllc(at)aol.com wrote:[quote]     William I  don't know if this will help you or not but all Vans aircraft  fuel tanks are built with rivets and pro seal and I can tell you that if you go  that route you need to be ready for it to get every where. If you think about it  getting on something chances are it will be there. But it is some good stuff and  if you aren't gonna use it for a while after you buy it keep it in the fridge it  lasts longer.

  

 Jeff

  

  	  Quote: 	
		     Iâ€™m strongly leaning toward building my fuel tanks using the    riveting and pro-seal method instead of welding it. I read the archives and    there where a significant number of  builders using the    pro-seal method in the past. I have 2 questions;



   Is there any Zodiac currently flying with the pro-sealed    and riveted tank method? 

   How sensitive to humidity is pro-seal when being    applied?



   William Dominguez

Zodiac 601XL Plans

Miami    Florida

Afterfxllc(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 5:13 pm Post subject: Scratch Building Fuel Tank

William what size tanks are you going to build?



See what's free at AOL.com. 

  [quote][b]

TxDave

Joined: 22 Jul 2006
Posts: 168
Location: Temple, TX

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 11:56 pm Post subject: Re: Scratch Building Fuel Tank

Hey William,

I used the rivet and sealant method on my tanks. Its really not as bad as some people make it out to be. Its messy, for sure, and the stuff sticks to everything. Carlos' pictures and advice were a big help. Van's now sells Flamemaster sealant which is what I used. Be sure to scuff up the aluminum and clean well with MEK before applying the sealant. I thoroughly tested my tanks for leaks with both air pressure and water. Not so much as a hint of a leak. 



Dave Clay

www.daves601xl.com

planecrazydld(at)yahoo.co
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 4:47 am Post subject: Scratch Building Fuel Tank

In the corporate aircraft world the optimal sequence would be alkaline tank clean, phosphoric acid anodize, de-ionized water rinse, corrosion resistant epoxy primer, assemble fay sealed with polysulfide sealer. In our world, the best probably would be a thorough solvent degrease followed by a thorough scour with MMM 7447 - General Purpose Scotch-Brite™ Maroon or MMM 7448 - Ultra Fine Scotch-Brite™ Gray, soap and water wash/rinse, thorough MEK/acetone (in that order of preference from a health standpoint) wet/dry wipe, immediate epoxy prime, assemble fay sealed with polysulfide sealer.



We frequently use whichever of the two pads with acetone or water to keep the surface lubricated and extend the life of the pad. Do not attempt to keep using a pad that is "dull".



I noticed a product I have not tried that looks  interesting MMM 6013 - Scuff-It™ Paint Prep Gel. It looks like it may be a mild abrasive in a gel that enhances the de-ox functions of Scotch-Brite????



Keep in mind that mechanically assembled tanks are not going to have ANY twist or warp that is not assembled into them and that the rivet pitch might need to be much closer to control bulge since the sealer is very viscous. While I was in Experimental at Cessna we built a tank section with no fasteners - it was a phenomenal success - but miserable to tool and build.

TxDave <dclaytx2(at)HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:[quote] --> Zenith-List message posted by: "TxDave" 



Hey William,

I used the rivet and sealant method on my tanks. Its really not as bad as some people make it out to be. Its  Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels 

in 45,000 destinations on Yahoo! Travel to find your fit. [quote][b]

bill_dom(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:04 am Post subject: Scratch Building Fuel Tank

[quote][b]

bill_dom(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 9:40 am Post subject: Scratch Building Fuel Tank

[quote][b]

bill_dom(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 12:30 pm Post subject: Scratch Building Fuel Tank

15 gallons

   

  William Dominguez

   

   

  Afterfxllc(at)aol.com wrote: 

   

  William what size tanks are you going to build?

 [quote][b]

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