OZM29C Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 What follows is the pictorial story showing 3 and 1/2 years of part time work to fully repair my front float tank. This tank was fitted to the Red Weasel my friend and I imported from Duluth Michigan in 2007. The corrosion and damage to the tank was typical of most flotation tanks found nowadays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted February 10, 2020 Author Share Posted February 10, 2020 Once I removed the lower skin of sheet metal the corrosion evident was a lot worse than I bargained for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted February 10, 2020 Author Share Posted February 10, 2020 I first decided to fabricate the lower section of the tank. I used zinc annealed mild steel sheet to give some resistance to corrosion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted February 10, 2020 Author Share Posted February 10, 2020 I then further dismanted the tank to give me better access to the interior. Where metal was overlapped, there was rust and corrosion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted February 10, 2020 Author Share Posted February 10, 2020 I then had to painstakingly repair the overlapped edge of the upper tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted February 10, 2020 Author Share Posted February 10, 2020 More repairs and test fitting of the Capstan Winch, surf shield and side panels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted February 10, 2020 Author Share Posted February 10, 2020 To give better access to the lower hull area for both cleaning and preservation, I decided to fit hand holes into the shelf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted February 10, 2020 Author Share Posted February 10, 2020 I was also fabricating the external tank bracketry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted February 10, 2020 Author Share Posted February 10, 2020 I also had to repair the inner tank shelf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted February 10, 2020 Author Share Posted February 10, 2020 Couple more photos showing the underside of the front deck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted February 10, 2020 Author Share Posted February 10, 2020 I decided to fit the tandem tow hitch tow points. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Browning Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 Nice work! It’s interesting how we differ on our approach. You did a lot of small area replacement. We chose to take a lot of measurements and replace entire sections, framework and all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Tipton Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 Super job and thanks for the great pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M29 Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 John You are an inspiration to us all. The size of the task does not seem to deter you. Great having you in the forum. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 As the telemarketers would say, 'But wait, there's more' 🙂 The upper mounting brackets (tank top to hull) were modified in the past using an oxy/act torch. Also the sheet metal behind the brackets had corroded as well. The pictures best describe the repairs. The blue length of RHS tube visible in some pictures was added to give more rigidity to that panel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 Next item on the agenda was to weld back in place the lower shelf and then start the repairs to the lower tank areas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 (edited) I used the water ejectors as templates to weld in place the previously fabricated lower section of the tank. Edited February 11, 2020 by OZM29C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 Here some random repair photos I forgot to post earlier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 Time to start filling in some empty real estate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 It was then off to the sandblaster for blasting and etch priming. I left three big sections of repair panels off to give the sandblaster better access to the lower areas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 Now I fitted the last of the patch panels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 I forgot to add that I had hours of fun making the square style nuts that weld to the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 That concludes this post. The photo below shows both my front float tank and track aprons loaded up to take up to friend of mine who is a tradesman panel beater for some TLC. I should have the tanks and track aprons back next month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M29C3284 Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 John, your work is truly inspiring. Thanks for sharing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZM29C Posted March 15, 2020 Author Share Posted March 15, 2020 Just got home from a 1500km round trip to pick up my track aprons and front float tank. My panel beater offsider has worked his magic on them and now they look a million dollars. Next job is to rub them down and get some OD on them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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