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found a deal on a Powertank

How long can you run a grinder or other such air tool, and still be on the safe side to air up??


Also (this may be a stupid question) can you still run air tools off of a tank full of Co2 ?? Would it ruin them at all???
 
BKinzey said:
I'm pretty sure if you are just using air you can use just about any tank as long as you bide by the PSI rating.
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The whole point of using CO2 is that it is converted to liquid in the tank due to the pressure, allowing you to store WAY more. As you release it, the pressure drops and it boils off into the gas, which you work with. Since this process is limited only by the regulator, you can work must faster than waiting for a little piston to pump air.

Using air in a tank is fine, but it will probably only fill one tire. A CO2 tank must be rated to MUCH higher pressure than an air tank, so filling a CO2 tank with air would be a giant waste.
 
I don't know about MUCH higher. I think the CO2 is only at around 300psi in the tank.
My 20Lb bottle holds around 1280cu/ft of CO2 so you have more volume than you think.

I see no issue with running air tools off of it as long as the pressure is properly regulated. There is no moisture in the CO2 like what is found in air. But the air tools do get very cold very fast....so wear gloves.
 
You could even run some sort of expansion chamber like paintball guns use.
 
The tanks used for paintball are laying on there side, thus the need for an expansion tank.
When you use a powertank or the like it should be verticle or close to it.

My regulator is meant for CO2 use at a high flow rate so I have never had a problem with it. I did get 3-4 spares though.

It does get very cold during heavy use and builds a good layer of frost on it, as does the hose.
 
Sounds to me like the key to a "homeade" CO2 tank is all in the regulator. Can you get the High Flow regs at a welding shop, or what?
 
Blue85 said:
The whole point of using CO2 is that it is converted to liquid in the tank due to the pressure, allowing you to store WAY more. As you release it, the pressure drops and it boils off into the gas, which you work with. Since this process is limited only by the regulator, you can work must faster than waiting for a little piston to pump air.

Using air in a tank is fine, but it will probably only fill one tire. A CO2 tank must be rated to MUCH higher pressure than an air tank, so filling a CO2 tank with air would be a giant waste.
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I'll accept your properties advantage of CO2 as I don't know anything about it. If it is an inert gas I don't see where it would hurt air tools (carbonated oil possibly:confused:).

My point on the PSI rating of the tank is any tank rated for any gas should be able to hold the same PSI in air. Let's say you find an oxygen tank rated for 1,000 PSI. One could fill that tank with 1,000 PSI of air. That certainly would be better to carry around than the 125 - 150 PSI portable air tanks commonly available.

What I have not checked out are any regulations on putting just air in a tank labeled "Oxygen." It may be as simple as changing a sticker, painting the tank, or since these tanks are stamped with codes & numbers it may not be viable.
 
Wow, I didn't think it was as high as 800psi.

You are absoloutly correct about the pressure dropping right at the end. It is kind of a PITA
 
jms said:
CO2 gas pressure in the cylinder above the liquid phase is about 800psi. That's actually one of the inconveniences: it's 800psi no matter how much liquid is in the tank, which means pressure doesn't tell you how full the tank is. By the time pressure drops, you're down to gas only, and it'll be over soon. .
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you can weigh the tank to see how much is left. I used to fill propane tanks and thats how we knew they were full. the bottles should have weights stamped in them.
 
only problem with that regulator is im sure it wouldnt take long till the guages got broke. but looks like you can regulate your presure. my friend runs a welding shop ill check with him on some prices and setups next week
 
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