Butch Lambert
Active member
Using the furnished air pump has us looking for an air tank. What type and and what do we use, C02?
Try using a tire pump to achieve 3000 psi? Not me!
Try using a tire pump to achieve 3000 psi? Not me!
Air Force Talon air
- Thread starter Butch Lambert
- Start date
GeneT
Active member
You have options - not many of them are cheap...
I pumped my AirForce gun for a while - it gives you time to consider how much you're willing to spend on a compressor... ;-)
CO2 is out - I think there are adapters, but you won't get the performance you want - velocities will vary all over the map unless you get a regulator and that's only a help, not a solution.
So, back to compressed air...
The least expensive way to go, that has some proven robustness is the "Yong Heng" compressor. I think they're about $350 and most afficianados add a Tuxing filter (another ~$150) to it to help dry the air. It's a water-cooled unit, and the pro users usually also enhance the cooling setup with buckets of ice water or fans and radiators, etc. There are a few models, not all equal, so see the reference below before plunking down any cash.
There's a whole rash of newer, less proven, low-cost compressors and results are mixed. Some people seem to do fine with them, others have bought and returned a half-dozen before giving up.
Starting around $1500 there are some mid-level compressors; more robust, yet still sometimes problematic, compressors like the Daystate, Alpha Carette, Air Venturi, and I'm sure some that aren't coming to mind.
For completely robust systems, a 'real' dive compressor is necessary: Coltri, Alkin, & Bauer and the big choices and costs start around $2500 (IIRC) for the Coltri (I've listed them in order of expense).
Another solution (still not cheap) is to get a 4500 psi tank and have it filled at an airgun or paintball shop, dive shop, or fire department. A large (80-100cuft*) tank will set you back about $700.
*There's a lot of "specsmanship" around tanks - you can find the same size tank listed as 80, 88, or 100 cuft.
AirgunNation.com has a compressor and air tank section where you can read more about any of these options.
Other than hand-pumps, I think I've covered the major solutions.
GsT
I pumped my AirForce gun for a while - it gives you time to consider how much you're willing to spend on a compressor... ;-)
CO2 is out - I think there are adapters, but you won't get the performance you want - velocities will vary all over the map unless you get a regulator and that's only a help, not a solution.
So, back to compressed air...
The least expensive way to go, that has some proven robustness is the "Yong Heng" compressor. I think they're about $350 and most afficianados add a Tuxing filter (another ~$150) to it to help dry the air. It's a water-cooled unit, and the pro users usually also enhance the cooling setup with buckets of ice water or fans and radiators, etc. There are a few models, not all equal, so see the reference below before plunking down any cash.
There's a whole rash of newer, less proven, low-cost compressors and results are mixed. Some people seem to do fine with them, others have bought and returned a half-dozen before giving up.
Starting around $1500 there are some mid-level compressors; more robust, yet still sometimes problematic, compressors like the Daystate, Alpha Carette, Air Venturi, and I'm sure some that aren't coming to mind.
For completely robust systems, a 'real' dive compressor is necessary: Coltri, Alkin, & Bauer and the big choices and costs start around $2500 (IIRC) for the Coltri (I've listed them in order of expense).
Another solution (still not cheap) is to get a 4500 psi tank and have it filled at an airgun or paintball shop, dive shop, or fire department. A large (80-100cuft*) tank will set you back about $700.
*There's a lot of "specsmanship" around tanks - you can find the same size tank listed as 80, 88, or 100 cuft.
AirgunNation.com has a compressor and air tank section where you can read more about any of these options.
Other than hand-pumps, I think I've covered the major solutions.
GsT
Butch Lambert
Active member
Thanks Gene. It appears the rifle and pump was the least of our expense. I visited briefly withe the Air Force guy at the Shilen Swap Meet yesterday and he said a tank and a friendly fire dept. to fill it. He said they have a kit to fill the gun from the tank.
We will think about it before jumping in with both feet.
Butch send me your number and I'll call you tomorrow after work... Ive been doing this for a few years and I have it figured out ... the hardest part for PCP shooters is figuring out all the "plumbing".
Pbike257@icloud.com
Paul B
Pbike257@icloud.com
Paul B
Butch Lambert
Active member
Sorry, I just saw this post.
Butch in addition the stand alone compressors there are booster units that run off air supplied by a standard compressor- not that they are any real saving dollar wise but less failure rate than the chi-com stand alone units. Also those small 3-500 dollar units are not meant to fill scuba tanks. They do not have the moxie for that and take forever with multiple stops to cool down required.
I have a converted Military unit that I use to fill large tanks to 3000 psi, ( which is as high as my tanks are rated) if I need to go further then I finish off with a new generation 4500psi unit which was apx$400, no external water cooling- fan cooled all in a box about the size of 3 loves of bread. With any of these you still need the external filter which can cost as much as the compressor or booster unit itself ( actually should be using one with the hand pump as well) there are some simple ones that are in th$20 range and just use felt pads internally. the good units have disectant media as well as the felt pads. Silicon gel is the basic drying media ( those little packets in some items packaging) it can be reused by baking in oven at low heat.
Hope this helps, Chris
I have a converted Military unit that I use to fill large tanks to 3000 psi, ( which is as high as my tanks are rated) if I need to go further then I finish off with a new generation 4500psi unit which was apx$400, no external water cooling- fan cooled all in a box about the size of 3 loves of bread. With any of these you still need the external filter which can cost as much as the compressor or booster unit itself ( actually should be using one with the hand pump as well) there are some simple ones that are in th$20 range and just use felt pads internally. the good units have disectant media as well as the felt pads. Silicon gel is the basic drying media ( those little packets in some items packaging) it can be reused by baking in oven at low heat.
Hope this helps, Chris
Butch Lambert
Active member
Thanks Chris. My cousin gave me one of his aluminum dive tanks. Paul is going to run the plumbing ideas needed by me later. I'm not willing to spend the extra for another compressor.My wife will not shoot it enough to justify the expense.
Centerfire
Member
Just my 2 cents
Butch have you heard of
Pyramyd Air.com
Air gun Depot.com
Air Venturi.com
Utah AirGuns.com
HAM Hard Air Magazine.com
Centerfire
Butch have you heard of
Pyramyd Air.com
Air gun Depot.com
Air Venturi.com
Utah AirGuns.com
HAM Hard Air Magazine.com
Centerfire