Comment

Comment by Timothy Aanerud on April 19, 2013 at 2:11pm

I'm building long range tanks. If you're using 5052 and you have a local metal supplier have them shear the sheet to width and ask for the leftovers. 5052 doesn't cut as easily as 6061-T6 in my experience. Leave some excess material on the main web. You don't want to end up short.

Comment by Adam Hess on April 19, 2013 at 1:00pm

I've not yet welded aluminum- I'm sure .032 is easier for novices to weld than .025. You'll have to post how that goes for you. I'm waiting for my plans, so not sure yet what it shows for the tanks, but I'll take a look when they get here. 

Are you doing standard range tanks or long range? 

Comment by Timothy Aanerud on March 23, 2013 at 6:50pm

It's easier to weld, and easier to find/buy.  5052-H32 because it bends easier and it is not heat treatable. Welding does not change it is strength. Read the recommend uses for 5052 and it says for aircraft fuel tanks. Using 0.032 versus 0.025 might add 2 pounds overall.   You can jump on these fuel tanks and barely dent them.  Don't ask me why I know this. Ron D Leclerc is also using 0.032 on his plans only tanks too.  Are you making you own fuel tanks?

Comment by Bruce Cobo on March 23, 2013 at 6:37pm

Hi Timothy, just curious why you used .032 instead if .025 called out in the plans