CO 2 powered nailgun - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

RobertCDF · 07-09-2006, 07:36 PM

I setup a CO2 nailgun system a little bit ago and thought I would post some info for others that may want to do the same.

I bought a 150 PSI fixed CO2 regulator from http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/co2systems.htm(on the bottom of the page $37.50 plus shipping I think the shipping was like $20)

I then bought a few fittings and another adjustable regulator from HD (about $30)
I bought 2 different regulators, the first one did not work right it was the little one with the little knob. I then bought a little bigger one with the plastic knob like on most compressors and that one works great.

I bought a 2.5# CO2 aluminum cylinder and a 15# cylinder (total for both and both filled about $170) the 2.5# is an aluminum tank and the 15# is a steel tank.

I then just cut a short hose from one of my 100’ hose.

I have run over 50 nails through my Hitachi NR83 from the 2.5# cylinder. And it fits in my nail pouch on the side. Not something that I would use EVERY day. BUT when you only need to come and put in some blocking, do a few pieces of trim… etc. You cant beat it because you can use ANY air tool on it including airing up your truck tires.

I would like to see if I can get a regulator to fill my 2.5# tank from my 15# tank so I don’t have to take it to a shop every time I need it filled.

If anyone wants more info let me know. OR if you know of a way I can fill my 2.5# from another tank let me know.

RobertCDF · 07-09-2006, 07:48 PM

Sorry, I forgot the pics

RYANINMICHIGAN · 07-10-2006, 01:23 PM

You ran 50 nails through it with one charge? That is pretty cool.

RobertCDF · 07-10-2006, 07:29 PM

It got more than 50 and it still is not empty. I think I will be able to get 150+

RYANINMICHIGAN · 07-11-2006, 07:34 AM

Wow I gotta have one. It would be awsome for punch lists. Now just have to figure out how to fill it with your compressor.

snapper21 · 07-11-2006, 08:47 AM

Nice work. I think you beat the price costs, and maintenance of a gas powered. You stated that the tank+fill up was 170. Whats the price on a fillup alone? And is CO2 good in tires? I don't know either way, just curious as to how it reacts with rubber, and pressure/heat/impacts, etc.
Have you visited your local patent office yet?

**Cole** · 07-11-2006, 12:48 PM

Robert, awesome idea.

RobertF · 07-11-2006, 12:55 PM

When I was doing computer work I used to use one of those for blowing out the computers. I could use it for a couple of weeks but it was much quieter than hauling a compressor or flying through those $5 cans.

schuc9 · 07-11-2006, 10:20 PM

it has been done already. not cheap though.
nicopneumatics.com/

RobertCDF · 07-11-2006, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schuc9

it has been done already. not cheap though.
nicopneumatics.com/

I looked into those exact ones... $585 for the small tank. That is why I just built my own.

RobertCDF · 07-11-2006, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snapper21

Nice work. I think you beat the price costs, and maintenance of a gas powered. You stated that the tank+fill up was 170. Whats the price on a fillup alone? And is CO2 good in tires? I don't know either way, just curious as to how it reacts with rubber, and pressure/heat/impacts, etc.
Have you visited your local patent office yet?

The 2.5# tank was about $50 for the tank. And the fill is about $10 but the 15# tank was almost $100 and about $12 for the fill. I was told that if I get a syphon tube put into the 15# tank I can fill the 2.5# tank. However I think that I can invert the 15# tank and fill the 2.5# without the syphon tube.

The co2 does not come out in liquid form (unless you invert it or use a syphon tube) so it comes out about the same as air just with a little more water in with it. So it should be just fine for filling rubber tires.

snapper21 · 07-12-2006, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertF

When I was doing computer work I used to use one of those for blowing out the computers. I could use it for a couple of weeks but it was much quieter than hauling a compressor or flying through those $5 cans.

Watch out for using compressors on computers. They do shoot condensation as well as air. Don't know about the CO2, but i'd imagine some form of condensation will develop in the tanks after time. That's why the "dry air" is expensive.

RobertCDF · 07-12-2006, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snapper21

Watch out for using compressors on computers. They do shoot condensation as well as air. Don't know about the CO2, but i'd imagine some form of condensation will develop in the tanks after time. That's why the "dry air" is expensive.

Hey if its not your computer... who cares

Just kidding... I bet the co2 would put out a little more. The longer you use it (colder the tank gets) the more water you can get in the lines.

RobertF · 07-12-2006, 12:39 PM

Condensation isn't as much of an issue when you have a drier attached

Even still though, if I used it for a long time water would come through the drier.

RobertCDF · 09-08-2006, 10:04 PM

Just a quick update... I got over 250 shots with my hitachi framing nailer out of this 2.5# tank. I refilled it before being empty because I needed to fill my 15# tank.

widco · 09-09-2006, 02:10 PM

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mdshunk · 09-09-2006, 02:25 PM

He's using CO2, which is totally non-flammable. In fact, it will put out a fire and will not support a combustion explosion. Nitrogen would be another good choice. As you know, Oxygen will support combustion in grand style. Using compressed gases like propane, acetylene, and butane would also be a bad idea. Inert gases like argon, nitrogen, helium, and carbon dioxide are fine. The only explosion hazard that might exist with them is if your pressure regulator messed up and sent full bottle pressure to the tool. I don't think the tool would explode due to the pressure alone, but it's hard to tell.

RobertCDF · 09-09-2006, 03:07 PM

I could see where a nail gun might explode if you just put it right to the tank (800 PSI). But I run 2 regulators the first fixed at 150 and then another one that would blow up before the gun would.

**Cole** · 12-06-2006, 09:09 PM

Robert is it still holding up?

kklick · 12-06-2006, 10:55 PM

Man I'm glad I caught this thread. I've got a guy who works for me who used to be a scuba diver. We were just talking the other day about using a high psi air tank mounted to the gun (similar to a paintball gun) or using co2. Did a little internet research and found this http://www.prebena.de/Products/index...ctCategoryID=1

It runs off of a high pressure air system. The compressor you use to fill their tank maxes out at around 4800 psi. Looks like an interesting system but from what I can tell its high dollar.

I love the co2 set up you put together. Look like an awesome alternative to the paslode cordless guns. Looks like I found my next project.