my first tank completely from scatch.

[Lance_Wallen]

So, I've been making modifications to tanks for a lil while, just sleeves and stuff. But i've been dieing to start making them from scratch so I bought a metal lathe, some aluminum, poly tubing, orings, etc. This is the 'first' complete tank I made. The second picture is one of my previous sleeves on a liquinator.

I do have a question for Gummy, et al about fill ports. I'll post that in a reply though.

This first one is a tank, sleeve, and drip tip I made. The cut out is a circle window so you can see how much juice you have left with the sleeve on. I'll be etching the copper soon.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-56lrO7_trcE/Tpoc4Ve0beI/AAAAAAAAAeA/U2w79x_u0yE/s640/driptip.jpg

this is an example sleeve Ive made, it's etched copper on an aluminum liquinator.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...gbnNpImM/s640/2011-09-25%252023-18-43.607.jpg

 

[Lance_Wallen]

now, my question about fill ports. I drilled a hole in my poly tube and slowly screwed in a set screw so it 'tapped' the hole. I filled the tank up with juice and it had slow leak, very mild but any leak is bad news for me so I tossed that tube and scratched the idea for now. I was thinking about putting the hole in the cap but there's really not alot of space to do that with the o-ring grooves, very hard to line up a hole through the entirety of the tank cap. I really don't want the screw I use to plug the fill port to stick out much like osme of the others I've seen out there, so a big headed screw with a rubber base to 'seal' isn't really an option.

Wondering how youg uys have gotten the set screws to not leak in your versions if you don't mind sharing

 

[Zen~]

It may help if you tap the hole with an actual tap that cuts threads.

 

[nicotime]

You could try a tapered thread or an interference fit thread....or one of these...... Long-Lok Fasteners - Products: Self-Seal

 

[Drottwiler]

nicotime
Thank you for the idea and link.

 

[Lance_Wallen]

I may end up doing that if this other lid idea doesn't work. I don't want there to be a 'cap' on my fill port screw. I was going to use a headless set screw, which may be my problem. I've got some new screws and taps, if my new tank lid design doesn't work I'll try tapping the poly and using one of these new screws, if that doesn't work I'll either have to give up on the port or go with one of those self sealing ones you linked. Thanks for the help!

You could try a tapered thread or an interference fit thread....or one of these...... Long-Lok Fasteners - Products: Self-Seal

 

[nicotime]

Oops...didnt read that well enough...your tapping plastic tubing...the sealing screws probably wont work on the curved surface. What you can try is tap the hole just enough to start the screw and have it run out of threads before going all the way thru the tube....that may help seal it...but dont try to over-tighten it or you will crack the tube. A nylon pan head screw wouldnt stick out far and deforms well for that sort of setup.

 

[Lance_Wallen]

well, if this new tank cap design works I won't need to put the port in the tube.

 

[Lady M]

Nice :::::::::::;;

 

[AzPlumber]

Lance, you might try a little teflon tape on that screw. Instead of trying to wrap it around a small screw, just lay it flat across the hole and then put the screw back in. If you don't have teflon tape a little bit of plastic wrap for food would do the same and then cut the excess off after your done.

 

[Lance_Wallen]

I want it to work without having to plug it up everytime I refill it. needs to just 'work' the new design will be finished tomorrow hopefully it works out.

 

[Gummy Bear]

Lance,

I have never had a problem with the fill screw leaking. All I do is drill and tap a #4 stainless steel screw into the polly.

You can get the drill and tap set at any Lowes, Ace, HD.

 

[Lance_Wallen]

made another one last night it actually isn't leaking. There was a little dot of liquid on the napkin I set it on after 5 hours, wiped it off left it out over night and no wetness. I just gotta get some SS set screws. THough I may just passon the fill port, poking the carto in and filling with a syringe really isn't any more difficult than taking out a set screw and filling it.