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Post by hardlec on Sept 18, 2016 22:36:47 GMT
Great idea. The "big" containers are available at big box stores for decent money.
How do you adapt it to an air brush, and how do you regulate the pressure?
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Post by boxholder on Sept 19, 2016 11:12:58 GMT
I have not done it myself, but from examining ones at the store, it appears that the fittings on the cylinder are standard items so it should be possible to find the items to connect it.
You may need to get a a CO2 regulator and make a trip to a plumbing supply or home store to find the bits to put it together. Once you regulate the pressure, the airbrush hoses should work OK.
Quoted from the "modelbuzz website"- - - - - - - - - -
I've been using CO2 for about six years now. I have seen cylinders in these available sizes: five, 10, 20 and 40 pound capacities. I have two five pounders and one 20 pounder. The fives cost about $8 each to refill, the 20, around $12. I converted one CO2 fire extinguisher, my brother gave me the other five pounder and I found(!) the 20 pound cylinder. Prices for these are $55 and $90 for each size, respectively at the welding gas supply house I frequent.
You'll also need a CO2 regulator (available there or any in-home beer supply house) and a reducing fitting for the brand of airbrush you use (for the hose). I also use a secondary regulator ($15 from Sears) to further control the pressure. I don't know how much the CO2 regulator runs, perhaps $40-$60. It will have an orifice for a gauge (not always supplied) and another for the pressure tap. I used a small pipe nipple to connect the two regulators in series.
You won't need a moisture trap as CO2 is anhydrous (moistureless) and the only drawback I've experienced is frosting of the regulators during long spray sessions in the humid Summer. You'll have to get the cylinders tested every five years (my five pounders are there as I write this) for around $10. I use the 20 pounder primarily and the smaller ones as backup. I think the 20 pounder is as large as you'd care to go if your current 10 gallon air tank is too bulky. My five pounders are handy and not too heavy to maneuver. A small pipe wrench might be useful to attach the regulator to the cylinder.
FWIW, I started with a small, noisy compressor then tried converting my SCUBA cylinders which worked but proved too expensive. The next step was CO2 and I've found it to be a very worthwhile source to power my airbrushes. End quoted material- - - - - -
I suspect that the second regulator downstream of the CO2 regulator is to provide the better control of the lower pressures needed for airbrushing. Your existing compressed air regulator will probably serve for the low pressure job.
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