Freebie Guide - Hobbyist Guide

[Technician1002]

If you ask nicely, an autoshop normally punches holes in empty 30 lb Freon tanks and recycles the metal. I got the tanks for my 2 inch air cannon from them. I gave one to the school I mentored for the t shirt launch contest.


I have a couple more tanks now looking to be built into something. I may use one for an oversize expansion chamber for my generator to make it much quieter.

While at a shop, ask if they have any empty propane torch bottles. If you camp, check the trash for empty lantern and stove bottles.

This was made mostly from scavanged parts.

[warhead052]

Tech, how would I go about getting a freeon tank? Any tips on how I could do it to actually get one?

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

If you ask nicely, an autoshop normally punches holes in empty 30 lb Freon tanks and recycles the metal. I got the tanks for my 2 inch air cannon from them.

While at a shop, ask if they have any empty propane torch bottles. If you camp, check the trash for empty lantern and stove bottles.

[warhead052]

Jack, I understand that part, but how should I ask. Should I say, "Hi, I would like to know if you have any empty 30lb freeon tanks that I could recycle?". I just dont want to seem suspicious or anything.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Tell them you have a school project, that's the excuse I used to use... then as I grew older it became a school project for my little sister and these days it's a school project for my virtual kids

[warhead052]

Ok. Heres a question then. Can you remove the top valve off of the tank and replace it with a tee or a cross? I was thinking about using these as actual air compressor tanks or using em for backpack air tanks for my pneumatic rifle.

[Technician1002]

They are welded on. If you drill it out, you will need to weld or braze in a new fitting. The best bet is to get something that will screw onto the existing valve.

They make a kit to convert tanks.
http://cgi.ebay.com/REFRIGERANT-FREON-T ... 0261316782

[Crna Legija]

Yes you can take the top off, but you wont find a fitting that fits it at your hardware store. You could epoxy a fitting that is a close fit in or have someone machine a adaptor/retap to a usable size

What pressure are you going to fill it to? if its under 120 psi just get pressure rated pvc, its way lighter and wont rust.

[warhead052]

Well I came up with an idea, if it still has the valve on it like the one that tech posted, I will come up with a schrader inlet than you screw into the outlet of the valve, and you just open the valve, screw in the schrader, fill up, close valve, then unscrew the schrader and install what ever it is you want to use on it.

[Gun Freak]

That would work but you need to know what the threads are on the outlet, plus, the system wouldn't be airtight. I would attach a quick connect to the outlet, then use the other type of quick connects to put on the fill valve and whatever else you want to use it for.

[warhead052]

I checked around my area for stuff and I found a bit, just dident have the tools on me to get em off... Back behind my local Lowes there were TONS of refridgerators that just had scrap written on em, I checked and there were compressors on em, so besure to check your local home improvement places! Its in the back, of the building, so drive around to the back and look around. I also saw propane tanks that some people were throwing out, dident stop to get one incase there was still some propane in it or if it had a leak, but yeah. (If there was propane in it, it wouldent go down to well with my mom....)

[warhead052]

Dont know if you saw my other post, but I got the freon tank. Its a 25lb, but I need to know what I need for it to make it able to hold air. I cant spend tons of money on a regulator, so what can I use instead. Its a 1/8" threaded male part that you screw the hose into for extracting the freon, what should I use to make it 1/4"?

[Gun Freak]

Its a 1/8" threaded male part that you screw the hose into for extracting the freon, what should I use to make it 1/4"?

A 1/8" x 1/4" bushing...

[warhead052]

Are they availible in brass or anything?

[Gun Freak]

Brass, Galvanized, sometimes PVC... Go for brass though.