Cradle tanks

[nigegas]

Hi guys
I think this just goes to shows how they can rust with over 20 years of exposure on our roads
How good or bad is yours ?
Cheers nige .

[phillpot]

Good the bad and the ugly!


What's wrong with your block paving, there are no grass or weeds growing?

[techbotics]

How old is the middle one?

[Spanish S2]

Wow, must get under the S and have a good look round, I hope it's the good!

[greymrj]

Most annoying, I cannot find the pictures of mine, done about 4 years or so ago. It was however on the ugly side of bad!
I left the bolts soaking in WD40, repeatedly, for a couple of weeks then I have to say it came out easier than I expected, once the massive one piece exhaust was off! The cradle is very simple in construction and it didn't take long at all to make one. The cost of the steel was small. I did cheat slightly by using a readily available, but slightly larger, box section than the original.
Although I did everything I could to clean out the tank, while it was off, it has never been successful and the tank is coming off to go to a specialist this winter. Costing me too much in filters.

[phillpot]

greymrj said:

I did cheat slightly by using a readily available, but slightly larger, box section than the original.

Yes, the original is a "non standard" size as I found out when I tried to buy scrounge a bit to repair mine

[nigegas]

phillpot said:

Yes, the original is a "non standard" size as I found out when I tried to buy scrounge a bit to repair mine

Yes that is correct the original size box section is 45x30 mm non standard size,so I made my cradle tank
From 50 x 30 mm x 3 mm box section and the 3mm plate was folded on a hydraulic folding machine
I have now made up a jig for making them as a few others wanted one for there S ,I had them zinc powder
Coated first and then a second powder coat of RAL 3003 ruby red they should last a life time now
So in all there built to the same spec as the original but a much better finish
Here's a couple of pics
Nige.

[nigegas]

In bare metal before being powder coated .

[nigegas]

[phillpot]

Very nice


please don't think this is any kind of criticism but if I were to make one I'd look at welding tubes in where the big holes are, either big tubes so the bolts still tighten onto the inner side of the box section or thin tubes and longer bolts tightening on the outer face. the tops of the rectangular legs could then be capped making it a sealed unit.



Having said that the original has lasted 20+ years so if a new one did as well if not better don't think I'd complain

Edited by phillpot on Friday 1st November 19:20

[greymrj]

Just another observation. Like you I went for the larger holes in the outer side of the box. That does however allow some water into the box section, I do not see a drain hole at the bottom?

[glenrobbo]

nigegas said:

I think that trampoline looks dangerous.