Custom Gas Tank

[Lil Earl]

Hey guys, i am starting to work on my senior project, it is a requirement to graduate high school. since i am taking auto body in school right now i have decided to make a custom chopper gas tank. they want us to choose a field that we would like to pursue on our future career so i decided fabrication. so after talking with my teacher for a while, i thought the best thing i could do would make a custom gas tank. it will not be functional, but i do want it to look like it can go on to a chopper. i will put on a gas cap and petcock. so i was wondering if there were any fabricators or custom guys out there that could help me out a little whit some advice. here is a picture i found of what i was thinking of going with. at school we got a sheer, and sheet medal bender so i found this most suitable. but we don't have an English wheel so it would be tough to have one with round sides. suggestions and advice would be much appreciated.
thanks
Jimmy

this is the info with the picture:
Chopper Prism 3.8 Gallon Gas Tank . Gas tank accepts a left side petcock and has a fuel capacity of 3.8 gallons. Point Prism tank includes strap type mount system. The back of the tank comes down into a point. This tank is 25" x 5" deep tunnel length and is 12" at the widest point. Check the tank for flaws and fit before painting. Do not grind or sand the seams or joints. Clean the inside of the tank. It is suggested to pressure tesr and use a tank sealer. We suggest using Kreem gas tank combo kit, clear, condition and seal to help stop leaks and prevent corrosion. Check petcock opening, making sure the petcock can be easily installed. Petcock should be masked or plugged during painting for easy installation of petcock. Fits: Custom application Style: Prism Measurements Top Length: 27" Bottom Length: 21.5" Rear Width: 0.5" Front Width: 10" Rear Height: 0.25" Front Height: 8" Front Tunnel Height: 4.5" Rear Tunnel Height: 1.5" Tunnel Length: 25" Tunnel Width: 2-3/8"134120

[HuffieVA]

Hey guys, i am starting to work on my senior project...[/ATTACH]

What type of brake (bender) do you have access to? If its a quality hand brake such as a Tennsmith or a computerized folder such as a Shecthel it would be even easier to brake a faceted tank with minimal welds. Or by off setting a slip roll (if you have access) you could bring it to a nice cone.

An english wheel is nice (I bought a cheap one from harbor freight for my shop) but I've fount that I still use an anvil or dolly and hammer for almost everything so dont let the lack of a wheel hold back your ideas...

[Lil Earl]

we have a couple different breaks, we just have the ones where you hot all the teeth, and just lift up on the bar, since it aint mine, i did not really pay attention to what it is. but for my limmitied time, and experience, i think i would be better off with flat sides. so i was thinking about making the 8 folds on each half, weld the middle together, do it that way.

[DasUberKraut]

Also sand bag and mallets work good for rounding out sheet metal too.

[Lil Earl]

yeah i did try that because we had to make a rounded panel our first year, but i don't think i could get them the same on each side

[DasUberKraut]

yeah i did try that because we had to make a rounded panel our first year, but i don't think i could get them the same on each side

Patience is key. Work slow. Don't just hammer them to beat hell. Take your time and check your work often.

[Lil Earl]

well i don't have the time for that so i think ill stick with the straight sides, looks pretty cool, what you think of that design?

[Swinger]

I think its a cool design but what about making something you can put on something of yours and use one you have for a template. Self satisfaction everytime you ride it!! What vo-tech you go to. I went to johnstown vo-tech and I know I was supposed to do a senior project but dont think I did it!! I took auto body also!

[Lil Earl]

we have a shop in our high school, i go to brashear high. but i don't have anything i could put it on

[Vealmonkey]

My take is, if it is supposed to be your custom design, not a copy of someone elses work. I think they call that pledgerism if it was about writing. Aren't you supposed to design and fab, not copy?

[DasUberKraut]

I agree with Veal. The design is cool though. But the thing about fabbing it with you own hands is that it's the small imperfections that make it perfect. No matter what you come up with you will be proud when it's finished.