An Introduction: Chris Collins and Morris Tilly Project

[jack neville]

I got some galvanized iron cut to the exact size required and dressed both ends to form a lap joint for the main body of the tank. Another job for my hi-tech folding equipment.

[jack neville]

The tanks are 865mm long and I had to work out a way of folding the curves in to follow the seams in the end flanges. A bit of scrap steel and pipe and the old G clamps into action again. I used a piece of 100 mm heavy steel channel and a piece of 50mm pipe and welded some scrap in the inside of the channel to centre the pipe. The four locking pliers help centre the sheet where I want it to be without moving until there is some load on the sheet.

[jack neville]

The first fold with that pipe came out a little too tight so I opened it up a little and pressed it again with a larger pipe. Instead of altering the press I slid the larger pipe over the thinner one. This came out exactly as I needed.

[jack neville]

I checked each fold in the end flange as I went. It was a little bit of guesswork as to exactly where the next fold was to be positioned but I managed to get it pretty close. Once the four folds were done the lap joint was closed up. To keep the joint nice and tight I forced a couple of pieces of timber inside.

[jack neville]

My late father was a plumber and used to make a lot of galvanized iron tanks when I was young. I remember being about six years old when I began helping him by holding the rivet dolly on the inside while he hammered the tin rivets from the outside. As the tanks got higher I had to work off a ladder with each hit almost knocking me off the ladder. Anyway, I still have his old tools which haven't seen any use for many years. Who'd a thought. I supported a piece of railway line in my vice as the anvil for swedging the lap joint.

[jack neville]

Once this seam was finished I lowered my press to its bottom and placed a plate at each end of the tank. It pressed in perfectly. I need to now attach all the external flanges and baffles before permanently attaching the end flanges.

[jack neville]

I got the end flanges, baffles and most fittings off the car tank but I only had one filler inlet flange and that being on the complete Tilly tank. The car being different.
This Tilly I knew had a foreign tank fitted.

[Mike K]

The tilly project(s) are looking excellent. When it comes time to solder the gal. iron petrol tank, I think they use a flux called 'killed spirits' its a mix of diluted hydrochloric acid and pure zinc. Some people make their own, buy the acid from a hardware store and a lump of zinc. There was a tank sealant called RED KOTE or similar , you mixed it with acetone , it might be available still. Mike

[jack neville]

I remember Dad using 'spirits of salts' which he used to brush on with an old 'Clag' paste brush. I just use Bakers soldering solution. I have never done any soldering much apart from small wiring jobs so I'm relying on my 6 year old apprenticeship. I've got the old mans soldering irons and a quantity of older. Seen the price of that stuff these days!!!