Aluminum Moon Fuel Tank

[JPolli]

Does anyone make a 1:25 scale  3 gallon spun Aluminum  Moon tank?  

[High octane]

Not sure, but you can spray some Testors Dull-Cote over a chrome plated Moon tank and it does look like aluminum. I also do this on some chrome wheels or front bumpers that I want to look like aluminum.

[Casey]

The tank in your image looks like the Moon 2 gallon tank?:

 

I've only ever seen the 3.5 gallon style in aluminum from Detail Master, part number #3003, but I'm sure others have made them. Parts by Parks or Machined Aluminum Specialties, maybe?

[64SS350]

Funny, just started turning some for myself Sunday. Trying on a manual lathe, not a CNC. Post pics when I get one to where I'm happy with it.

[vincen47]

Manny at VCG Resins makes spun aluminum moon tanks, custom sizes, you specify length and width. In fact, if you sent him the picture, and specified the size, I bet you could get one just like it. Last year, he made a set of custom sized aluminum air tanks for a Peterbilt I’m working on. His prices are very reasonable, too. http://vcgresins.com/aluminum.html

Edited February 21, 2018 by vincen47

[64SS350]

Here's a pair of basic tanks without strapping or fill ports  yet. This matches what I need for some commissioned work.

 

[BobbyG]

Jim:

Check into JDS Racing Products, the owner is Joe Cardoza. He makes milled slot cars  parts and if you check him out on FB. He makes slot cars that are fully detailed that you would be hard pressed to see they are not regular models.

He has a couple of size aluminum Moon tanks and makes some killer injector stacks with the tops anodized in a couple colors. His website is down for modifications (www.jdsracing.com) but you can probably reach him on his FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/435553483225995/.

Here are some pics...

[Casey]

23 hours ago, 64SS350 said:

Funny, just started turning some for myself Sunday. Trying on a manual lathe, not a CNC. Post pics when I get one to where I'm happy with it.

They're easy to turn on a lathe. It's the brackets which are much more time consuming, and challenging, to make.

1 hour ago, BobbyG said:

 

Those tank mounting brackets are way too thick to be anywhere close to realistic. Not sure why Detail Master or the above have a huge ring in the center or the tank, either? Stepped down ends are good, and the specs and images are available online easily, so why not try to get close to the real thing?:

 

The center weld bead is not going to be easy, but maybe with Archer weld bead decals: http://www.archertransfers.com/AR88005.html

Photeteched brackets, or making your own out of metal is ideal, as the real brackets are cast aluminum, with a simple piece of black rubber tubing to allow for a snug fit around the stepped down end of the tanks:

[64SS350]

For the builds I'm doing, the tank is plain, with very little for brackets on the bottom, and long tight coiled springs as straps, as it is on the 1:1

[Casey]

3 hours ago, 64SS350 said:

For the builds I'm doing, the tank is plain, with very little for brackets on the bottom, and long tight coiled springs as straps, as it is on the 1:1

There are at least two styles of Moon tank brackets I've seen, and other aftermarket brands, including the brackets which do not wrap fully around the tank and use the springs to retain the tank, like so. Easier to make, but you need to source the springs and clear tubing to wrap them, too:

 

Edited February 21, 2018 by Casey

[64SS350]

Looks like it

[JPolli]

Thank you all for your help and suggestions.  This is a GREAT site!