Acme tank question....

What is the general consensus on the Acme brass "U" style tanks? I'm thinking of using one in an old tyme ship with a Torp .45 greenhead, but I think I'm a bit paranoid about engine runs without a uniflow tank. Not sure why, I know it can be done! Besides, the venting could be converted without too much trouble, I guess.

What about quality? Are they worth trying? It would be a great fit in the plane if they are decent!

Any info appreciated!

God bless!

Heavy, heavy, heavy! Very prone to corrosion. Haven't used one since the early '60s.

LAST EDITED ON May-07-06 AT 06:53 PM (CST)
 
Methly Alcohol and Nitro Methane both produce a green pasty corrosion when in contact with brass. Brass tanks used to be the norm in the 50's and before. Darwin brass tanks were very popular. Although Acme tanks draw well and brass solders easily using them will only result in clogged fuel lines, blocked filters and excess wear on engines. I cant imagine any serious modeler with any experience at all would still be using brass tanks. I dont know the sales volumn of Acme tanks but it couldnt be a profitable line as I see it.

Shouldn't be too difficult to electroplate the things...

I had the u-6 which only holds about 5 oz. in my Taurus with a Fox 59 for several years. I did convert it to uniflow and it worked just fine.

I've used them on several airplanes without any problem. However, the brass is thin and easy to distort. I've always replumbed them with copper tubing. I've opened up old used ones and found no corrosion on the tank metal at all. Maybe there is brass and then there is brass.

These tanks have been around a long, long time. Some people seem to have trouble with everything they can nit pick. Run your tank dry and should be no problem. Not the best tank out there for sure but they have hi-volume in compact size. Cheers,Dan

I have converted two Acme 4 oz. tanks to uniflow. Each has had three to four gallons of 10% nitro fuel through them and they have no "green pasty corrosion" to be found anywhere. The filters are clean and I don't have what I would consider extra engine wear. They also are not heavy. My converted Tower 40s run like they are locked on to the Atomic Clock with these tanks. The mounting strap is, I think, a little too small so I solder on my own mounting tabs. In general I have found Amce tanks to be soldered better and have tighter seams than the "B" tanks. No loose lines or leaks out of the box. Give Acme a try. I think you will be pleased.

Richard

LAST EDITED ON May-08-06 AT 05:39 AM (CST)
 
I have an Acme u shaped tank on my old Firecat with a Fox 35. That combination has worked flawlessly and gives the best run I ever got out of a Fox. As to corrosion it doesn't have any nor is the motor wearing out any faster then any other Fox would. Run the motor dry and the residual oil left in the tank will cause you more problems if it gums up then any residual alky or nitro.

Thanks for the info, guys! I think I'll give it a try. The Acme tank is the only one I can find that will hold enough fuel in the space available.

Does anyone know a source for Acme tanks? None of my local shops carry them (R/C guys don't use 'em) and I haven't yet found an online source. I can order from the factory, but I'd rather support a dealer if I can.

Thanks again!

God bless!

>Thanks for the info, guys! I think I'll give it a try. The
>Acme tank is the only one I can find that will hold enough
>fuel in the space available.
>
>Does anyone know a source for Acme tanks? None of my local
>shops carry them (R/C guys don't use 'em) and I haven't yet
>found an online source. I can order from the factory, but
>I'd rather support a dealer if I can.
>
>Thanks again!
>
>God bless!
>
>Mike Mulligan

BRODAK!
He advertises it in his catalogue the 3 oz is about $9.00. He ships fast too.
Dennis

>BRODAK!
> He advertises it in his catalogue the 3 oz is about $9.00.
>He ships fast too.
>Dennis
>

I'll give him a call. I knew he used to carry them, but when I looked on the web site the only tanks he was showing were the plastic RC type. I thought it was a bit odd... Seems the web site is in a constant state of flux...

God bless!

Looked at Brodak again...

Found Acme tanks...

Felt pretty dumb...

Ordered...

Thanks again guys!

God bless!

Kinda curious about the outfit that makes these. I wonder how big it is, what tools they use, how often they actually make tanks. My guess is that it is a one man operation, operates in a shed/garage, has at least some machinery - a metal guillotine, a brake and drill presses, some jigs, templates and forms (for making the end pieces), gets the tubing in bulk from K&S pre-cut to length, makes tanks sporadically, probably in batches of 50, which would take maybe the equivalent of a week of weekends and evenings to finish. Each tank is essentially handmade. Been going at it for a while, too, and the business may have changed hands at least once since the 1950s.

I suspect the GRW operation is about similar. Doc Passen used to make kits in an operation like this, working out of his shed.