Originally posted by JimfromTrafalgar:
Not trying to be a pain, but....
Jim
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I used my tank made like this for may years before buying a good stainless one. But as you say, if you are going to do alot of this work, invest in a good sturdy tank. That's the best way to go. For a hobbyist that just wants to try it out, it's an inexpensive way to have a wack at it. I've never had any problems with the galvanizing and heat creating fumes of any sort. The steel can only get as hot as the water boiling above it, kind of like trying to solder a pipe with water inside of it..Getting the steel to anything close to a red heat will certainly cause the zinc to fume. That won't happen as long as the tank isn't allowed to boil dry. They are thin though as you pointed out, so you do get some flexing to the tank but when filled with water, it sits flat. Good support is needed underneath while heating and working as the weight of the water and parts is quite alot for the thin metal. Having the thing coming crashing down during your blueing is not something to look forward to. If you do eventually buy a better tank, the makeshift one can do service as a parts soak/cleaner tank, or a rinse tank.
