Hello from Sydney Australia

[markgurney]

Hi! I have stumbled upon this site whilst looking for an English Wheel. I am currently purchasing the equipment to make Motorcycle tanks and other parts. Today I unpacked my plannishing hammer.

I really would like some views on two points (to start off with)
1. Where can I get a good industrial (cheap) second-hand English wheel, or a new usable one, and
2. For fuel tank built-in is it best to Tig or oxy weld the seams?
O.K 3. is standard aluminium sheet good for fuel tanks?

Hope to learn a lot in here, Cheers Mark

[HEATNBEAT]

Welcome to Allmetalshaping Mark!

[David Gardiner]

Hello Mark, Welcome to the site. I would never tig weld an aluminium panel let alone a tank, I would be worried about it splitting. Have you made any parts before?. Making custom tanks is an ambitious first project. It is wise to practice on scrap pieces to develop you skills.

David

[Peter Tommasini]

Welcome Mark, To answer your questions secound hand wheels are hard to find for a good price and in good condition, Most of the time they will need a new shaft, new top wheel or aleast machined and most definitely need bottom lower anvils. There are new cast ones made in Sydney but they are very costly axp between $8000 - $10000 complete. All though im in Melbourne i do have wheeling machines and planishing hammers in stock.

You can tig or oxy weld the thanks but i prefer to oxy weld.

I use 005H34 sheet, which is half harden. I wouldnt advise you to use anything shofter for the tank.

[metal manny]

Hi Mark

If you want a cheap english wheel, there are 2 possible sources. Firstly, I'd contact all the used machine dealers in your territory and if no luck, try further afield. Often these units are bought out of aircraft workshops which have gone bust. Sometimes the dealers selling used e-wheels don't even fully understand what the're used for and they'll be only too glad to get shot of it for a song!

If your search is fruitless then you could consider building your own based on the excellent information contained on this forum - particularly by Kerry Pinkerton who is a commercial constructor of e-wheels. (that's what I've done). Check out "Hoosier Profiles" on the net and they'll ship you the best anvils at reasonable cost. You can source the steel for the frame from a scrap dealer and pay a minimum too! You'll then have a relatively cheap tool which is of a professional standard.

Good luck...

Manny

[vmx42]

Hi Mark,
Just like you I was surfing the net looking for more info on English Wheels and I came across this site.

I saw your intro and it reads like I could have written it. I am looking for both and english wheel and planishing hammer and my ultimate aim is to make motorcycle parts and fuel tanks in particular.

Good to know there is a like soul in this big city.

Goodluck with your projects.
Jeff