Brass Tanks

[gullnut]

I posted a message a while ago about seperating the end caps from brass tanks. Many people replied to this topic. It seems to be that many people have tried it without success. Well I can say I have achieved it!

Removing dents from tank end caps seems to be bain of every discerning guller. The question I raised was if the end caps were soldered on, why could they not simply be unsoldered off.

The problem is that seagull tanks are soldered together with silver solder which melts at a temperature getting close to the melting point of brass. The tank in question was well mashed at one end, so I had nothing to lose.

The method used included an acetylene torch and an airline. The fuel tap hole was bunged up with a bolt and the airline was sealed into the filler hole. The end cap was then heated all the way around trying to keep the heat as even as possible. After some patience air was gently pumped in and the cap began to loosen. Once the solder had melted the tank lost pressure, but eventually it came away. A few small parts of the lip melted but these were repaired by braising. Now the panel beating commences!

Please be aware that empty petrol tanks of any decription are potentially explosive and emptying one out is not good enough they must be cleaned thorouhly with detergent before putting a naked flame anywhere near it.

Pictures are available if you send me your email adress
Simon

[John@sos]

Having witnessed the after efects of a 'cleaned' tank exploding I would say you must be 1000% sure the interior is clean and free of all deposits before letting anyone put a flame near it. I want to keep my Seagullers!

a safer way is shown on the Gallery, cut the ends off and clean all out before soft soldering back together.

I am hoping to have a few tanks repaired using this method shortly.

John
SOS