the Motive: cant stand for spending $300 on CO2 tank setup while i'm jobless.
the Mission: put together a capable system for less than $75
i got all the pieces either from Craig's list or Harbor Freight, except for the pressure gauge.
parts list:
1.) CO2 tank, $30 off craig's list, there were shat load of them floating after spring break, the one i got is almost full.
2.) Victor SR5B innert gas regulator, $10 off craiglist, it's was an $150 unit but no gauges, no inlet plug. the key feature is the large gas passage bores won't freeze up, the cheapo $60 Harris regultor(Airgas carries them) won't work.
3.) air hose, $5 HF, 20ft coil.
4.) couplers, $6 total, $3 each push-button Quick-Discounnect couplers from HF, one female thread, one male thread.
5.) pressure gauge: $13 from Grainger, 160psi max liquid filled, American made. that's one part i don't want to go cheap.
6.) plug: $0 i've got one. it was used to plug off the hi-pressure gauge port on the gas regulator, since CO2 is liquid unlike other gases, i don't need a hi-pressure gauge to tell me if the tank is running low. and the gas turns to liquid when reach 1500 psi, it won't exceed the designed load of the regulator. plus, the burst disk on the tank will release pressure when tank reaches 3000psi. now you know i have safety in my mind.
7.) CO2 inlet tube: $2.50 from Airgas
tire filler probe: $0, i've got one, $2 for a new one.
so far, ~$66
8.) bonus: Ingersoll Rand 231C 1/2" impact wrench, $25 off craigslist. the seller was a total drunk, sold it as parts cause it wasn't working. i cleaned it up the gunk inside and buffed off the rust with a wirewheel, it works like charm, shinny too.
here you go: totally $91, i got:
i rotated all 4 tires on the wife's RAV4, took me less than 20 minutes, just perfect. now, would i pay $50+ for a vehicle mounting bracket? i guess not.