RivetBangers.com

Tanks... to Wicked Stick especially. He helped me drive each and every one of these tank rivets!



Tanks to Thermos and Dan Checkoway for listening to all the assorted questions about vapor return lines!



The lower fitting is the vapor line.

It ends up in the middle of the tank.



...and tanks to Jim Robinette for some heavy duty onlooking!

I still need to do the baffle yet. I am just thrilled to have something to show for noodling over this for the past few months!

CJ

tanks for posting those pics CJ! looks fantastic!

gives all us emp guys something to tank about!

Looks great CJ. How did you keep the proseal under control? I have seen so many tanks that are a mess. My left tank is ready to seal, but trying to catch the right side up to the same point so I can do them together.

Bill,

The PS is really not bad to work with. I guess the trick is patience, patience, patience.

The one tool that came in the most handy was the beer fridge. Actually, no... I wasn't drinking while ps-ing! I was able to mix up large batches and freeze/referigerate the remainder as I worked.

Each rib seems to take 40 grams. Yesterday, I needed to do 2 ribs, 80 grams of proseal. At about 1.5 to 2 hours per rib, I wouldn't need the ps again for at least another hour. I flash froze it as soon as it was all spread across the first rib. As I was closing in on needing it, I moved it to the fridge.

This just puts your mind at ease knowing that the concoction is still good and alleviates the hassle of mixing numerous small batches.

Patience is the key. Put it only where you want/need it.

Solvents: Coleman Fuel and MEK. Coleman is easier on the nose, but where I need a super strong cleaner, I use the MEK.

Acetone and laquer thinner are very fast drying and not as powerful as MEK, so I don't use them.

Hope this helps!

CJ

Beautiful work CJ!!

Thanks Spike!

I just like to look at this picture because I can see my JEEP in the reflection!

...my "other" favorite contraption!

CJ

Left tank is DONE!

...aside from the inspection hole.

I am thrilled!

Thanks again, WS!

Pics to follow.

CJ

CJ,

I am trying to catch up:



I hope to have the baffle on this one tomorrow.

Pat

Damn, Pat!!!

You are right on my heels!!! Looks GREAT! Let's meet in Nashville when we are done!

Here's hoping neither of us have any leaks!!!

Things I have learned while doing the baffle:

A Semco sealing gun goes a LOOOONG way when lying down a nice, even bead quickly and effectively. I borrowed the one I used from my buddy Ed Loveday, RV-6 builder extraordinairre. It is pneumatic and works really nicely!

Initially, I expected it to go fast. I didn't realize... that's ALOTTA rivets! It takes time to pinch 'em all! Wicked Stick and I started at 5 PM and finished at 10 PM!

It is the cleanest and neatest proseal experience of all! The stuff is mostly contained within the tank and stays under control very easily. Very little gets on the tools and/or your hands.

I would not want try this without a Semco gun and a pneumatic squeezer. Those tools really make things go much more smoothly!

CJ

It's officially a fuel tank!



One down and three to go.

I did not have a Semco sealing gun, but the plastic-bag-with-a-corner-cut-off cake icing method worked great for me.

It took me 6 hours solo with a hand squeezer to install the baffle (including attach brackets).

Get back to work CJ, or I'll beat you to Nashville!

Pat

DOH!

Match drilling the second tank TONIGHT!!!

I wonder who will be playing at the Grand Ole Opry when we are done!?!

CJ

I'm right behind you guys. I prepped both tanks at the same time and had an EAA Tech Advisor check them out this weekend before prosealing. I'm ready to start slapping on the black stuff.

bmurrish wrote:I'm right behind you guys. <SNIP>

Mee TOO, got both tanks drilled, ready to start PS-ing in the next 2 weeks

Regards
Rudi