What aluminum to use to build a "moon tank"?

[vectorsolid]

I've got some practice under my belt and am feeling confident, and am having fun with aluminum. So it's time to start a FUN project.

I want to build a little Moon fuel tank out of aluminum. If it were steel, I'd know what to do. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO GET IN ALUMINUM....

Little tank, say 8" in diameter, and 12-16" long or so.

What thickness of aluminum? What alloy?

I don't have anywhere locally to pick this material up, so I need to find it at eBay or say somebody like onlinemetals.com

Thanks for your help.
-Bob

[fun4now]

i would ask again over on the motorsports ask andy site also or do a serch there. seems like i remember some one doing a similer project there. i cant remember what alloy they used so i wont even try to guess. but if you dont get an aswer here try there.
and be shore to post lots of pictures when you get started. are you planing on TIGing it or MIGing it ???

[vectorsolid]

Gonna tig it.

Having a hard time finding an aluminum cap at a reasonable price. $75 and up is not overly reasonable considering you can scrounge up a built tank for about that...

[fun4now]

i know what you mean, i was looking a wile ago and found the same problem. might just have to make your own, you got a tap&die set.
if you do find a place to get a cap at a better price be shore to share.

[Aerometalworker]

Bob,
I would make it out of .050 5052 or 3003. Anneal to your liking.
Use 5356 filler on the 5052 or 1100 filler on the 3003.
The pre-made tank fittings are usually 6xxx series so that will work well with either the 5052 or 3003. To make it really nice either purge the inside of the tank, or use a backup flux.

-Aaron

[JonnyTIG]

5052 is the right material. .050" - .188" will do. 5356 is the correct filler. If you choose to use 3003 material, you may consider welding it with 5356 as well. All the fuel tanks I've made (well over 100) were made from 5052 or 5454 and welded with 5554 or 5356. You should be able to purchase the material from a place like Metal Mart or Metal Supermarket (Canada). I'm sure around your area there are stores like these.

[MintSScout]

If ya drink I would just get a mini keg and that. Thats I always seeing people use for tank.

[fun4now]

an aluminum propain tanke would also work prity good, i have one of them intended for use as the tank for my yard truck when i get that far.

[vectorsolid]

i know what you mean, i was looking a wile ago and found the same problem. might just have to make your own, you got a tap&die set.
if you do find a place to get a cap at a better price be shore to share.

Found some necks and caps for a decent price. Not billet or high buck stuff, but should work great, and for about $8.00

Try this link. it's a pdf of their page.

http://www.hrpracing.com/CATALOGPAGES/PAGE49.pdf

[fun4now]

cool thats great. thanks. i shot them an e-mail to see if they have a mail out snail male type catalog. i only have dial up and getting the hole thing would help as it takes for ever to open PDF's.