[TheForge] gas tank repair

[Dan Brewer]

Suggested repair. Remove tank from unit. clean the inside with a solution
of hot water and TSP.  The TSP will remove residue from the inside of the
tank.  Locate the holes on the tank an clean the area around them with a
mechanical action.  , I have used a flap sander with 200 grit If you can
fill the tank with an inert gas that will reduce the chance of explosion.
The use a good flux and an acid core solder. depending on the size of the
hole you may need a patch. or consider replacing the entire bottom of the
tank.  If replacing the bottom of the tank cut the bottom out leaving a lip
that will allow you to use this tool on it
https://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/specialty-air-tools/air-punch-flange-tool-1110.html
 . This will give an edge to solder on.  I use this flux with great sucess.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-1-7-oz-Lead-Free-Tinning-Flux-303742/100347302.
I would use an electric soldering iron like this one.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/tls/6180917690.html

Have fun with the repair

Dan In Auburn


On Thu, Jun 22, 2017 at 7:15 AM, C&J Allcorn <jallcorn at suddenlink.net>
wrote:

> I've got a maybe 40-50-60 year old SA-200 welder and discovered a leak in
> the bottom of the gas tank recently (obviously caused by years of
> condensation, rust, etc.).  It's a good old stick machine and I'm going to
> need it for a fencing project out on a ranch in the near future.
>
> I looked up the cost of a new tank and I'd rather take a stab at repair
> than replacement.  Haven't taken the tank out yet so don't know how large
> the affected area is but suspect if it has rusted thru at the lowest point,
> that likely there is a "rust-affected" zone adjacent, probably at least a
> couple inches in diameter from the actual hole.
>
> I'll probably either fill it with water to weld/braze/solder - whatever -
> due to potential explosion hazard or possibly inject nitrogen.
>
> The metal is probably pretty thin and while I'm a pretty good hand with
> TIG, I know my limitations, especially on really thin stuff.  So that
> leaves braze or solder?
>
> What's the best way to repair that gas tank?  A patch of some sort?
>
> James
>
> Paris, TX
>
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