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Old June 25th 08, 03:13 PM posted to rec.aviation.homebuilt
Stealth Pilot[_2_]
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Default 1946 Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser Fuel Tank's

On Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:03:42 -0700, "Rich S."
wrote:

"Phil" wrote in message
...
Hello
I am a welder by trade , used to work as a certified A/C welder for
major company , still do Alum . and 4130 A/C welding , a man brought a
wing tank to me from his Piper PA- 12 Super Cruiser today , he has a small
leak around one of the fittings , the tank has been soldered together , he
says it's Alum. but I am not convinced , the sheet metal is very thin and
is non magnetic , I scraped some of the solder material and it was soft
like lead , the man called an older fellow A/C restorer and he thinks it's
Alum , all the fuel tanks that I have worked on were made from 5052 of
whatever Alum.and TIG welded , 1946 may pre date the Heli-Arc process ,
wonder if someone can shed some light on this wing tank question.
Thanks
Phil
EAA 12873


Being no expert, I believe what you have is made from "Ternplate". That's as
far as my poor memory will take me. Perhaps a search for that name will
help, as there are many references available..

Rich S.


tern plate was a lead coated mild steel.
I have an auster made in 1951. the tank is soldered tern plate.
you should be able to guess the material from the weight.
the auster tank is quite heavy. soldered up solid rivets in the
construction should be a giveaway.

Stealth Pilot