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Gas tank project

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Posted

Well, I got a little side tracked lately. I decided to build a new gas tank for my wrecked plane. These are made using vinyl ester resin to provide some resistance to ethanol if I ever happen to get any in my tank. I haven't gotten too far yet, but here are some pictures of what I've got so far (this is for a speedwing profile, so the bottom is not undercambered).

 

First I laid up a flat sheet of glass for the tank bottom

56be6c8916331_IMG_20160205_1920120771.th

 

Here's a form I made to hold the sheet in place

56be6ce31b035_IMG_20160206_1103514021.th

 

I made a cut for the area where the tank bottom has a bend

56be6d56efd2a_IMG_20160206_1103231271.th

 

Double sided tape holds the sheets in the form for more layups. Stainless tape makes the bend transition mold.

56be6d986fe8a_IMG_20160206_1244121481.th

 

Some cloth and mat connect the two areas together.

56be6e08f2a16_IMG_20160206_170330395_HDR

 

Some spar tube was used to mold the spar "pockets"

56be6eeb8801f_IMG_20160206_1926244791.th

 

Here they are popped off the tubes.

56be6f3bb32cc_IMG_20160206_2106350221.th

 

Hopefully more progress this weekend.:P

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Posted

I have never done Fiberglass work but it looks like you have, Nice work

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Posted

I have never done Fiberglass work but it looks like you have, Nice work

Thanks. Did a fair amount when we started our business years ago, but mostly just personal projects since then.

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Posted

A scratch built gas tank!  I'm in. :news:

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Posted (edited)

Are you planning on one or two baffle (anti-surge) plates in the tank?  I think one might be enough.   What material?  Fiberglass?   Does a 6 gallon tank have a baffle?

EDMO

Edited by EDMO
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Posted

It's basically a copy of the stock speedwing tanks that came in the plane except that it will be made of vinyl ester. The stock tanks have 3 baffles, so that's what I'm planning to do.

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Posted

Looks great so far!!! Love the form!!! I ain't so great at wood workin'. No matter how many times I cut it off, it's too short! :o

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Posted

It's basically a copy of the stock speedwing tanks that came in the plane except that it will be made of vinyl ester. The stock tanks have 3 baffles, so that's what I'm planning to do.

Are you making the baffles out of wood and covering them with epoxy, or out of fiberglass, or what?  EDMO

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Posted

Are you making the baffles out of wood and covering them with epoxy, or out of fiberglass, or what?  EDMO

Fiberglass. I'm actually working on them right now. They will be very similar to the stock tanks with "zig zag" stiffener indentations. At some point I'll try to get some pictures of them, and also pictures of the stock ones since I have a tank cut open.

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