Compressed Air Questions

[AE80016]

I'm about to buy my first PCP pistol and need some advice on filling the cylinder(s).

I don't really like the idea of a hand pump, so I guess I will need some sort of air tank setup. Can someone please tell me......

1. The most economical way to do this?
2. The best type and size tank to buy?
3. The best place to buy such a tank?
4. Besides the tank, what else will I need to buy?
5. What I should expect to spend on the whole thing?
6. Who fills these tanks? Oxygen/gas suppliers?

And any other information you think I will need.

Thanks for your help!

[joker]

I'm about to buy my first PCP pistol and need some advice on filling the cylinder(s).

I don't really like the idea of a hand pump, so I guess I will need some sort of air tank setup. Can someone please tell me......

1. The most economical way to do this?
2. The best type and size tank to buy?
3. The best place to buy such a tank?
4. Besides the tank, what else will I need to buy?
5. What I should expect to spend on the whole thing?
6. Who fills these tanks? Oxygen/gas suppliers?

And any other information you think I will need.

Thanks for your help!

Here we go - which part of the planet are you on?

[Guest]

Denver, Colorado. But I didn't mean a specific store in a specific city, I meant the kind of place/store/business. Sorry, I should have been clearer.

[joker]

See this UK base website - it will at least give you an idea of what is involved.

http://www.midlanddiving.com/

In the UK we are never far from the sea and Scuba diving facilities where the tanks can be charged with breathing air (ONLY - NO OTHER GASES). In USA I believe that far inland places can make use of obliging fire stations where they charge fire fighters breathing sets.

[joker]

Even if your gun has a max of say 200 BAR - get a 300 BAR tank if possible to provide a useful storage reservoir capacity - you need to bear in mind which pressure your tank recharging station can go up to of course.

[frog5215]

SCUBA shops.

Buy an 80 cubic foot tank there, explain what you're using it for and they won't demand your Diver's Card.

Usually they'll cut you a break on recharging next year when you come back next year for a refill.

Alternately, paintball shops. Get one of the bigger tanks, or you'll make a lot of trips. Often these guys (and SCUBA shops) discount refills because we recharge@ 1500-2200 PSI, not zero like the SCUBA or paintball guys.

You'll need to connect the tank to the fill fitting supplied with your gun; I suspect the Moderator can help, or such other businesses as AirHog, or through links on the Yellow Forum.

[visitor]

My local dive shop has never charged me for a top-up. I must amuse them by coming in once or at most twice a year with a tank that's still mostly full. They do get me for the mandatory (five-year I think it is) inspections!

[David Levene]

My local dive shop has never charged me for a top-up. I must amuse them by coming in once or at most twice a year with a tank that's still mostly full.

I used to have the same thing with the dive shop I used. They wouldn't charge me for just "topping up".

After this happened a few times I started to feel guilty so just opened the valve very slightly during the drive to the shop, just to make sure it was empty.

They still fooled me though. When it came to the time to pay I was told "No, it's April. We never charge anyone for air in April".

Unfortunately they closed the shop and moved to the coast a few years ago.

[Misny]

I bought my tank where I planned on getting it refilled. This set up a rapport with the scuba shop. I bought a standard 80 cu. ft. aluminum tank with K valve. I bought a DIN adapter from our host. Our host has a great article about compressed air at: http://www.pilkguns.com/scuba1.shtml

The U.S. has different rules re: compressed air and scuba than say, the UK.

[Finprof]

If you are starting from scratch and don't have an air tank, go to a dive shop and ask for a tank with a DIN fitting or bring in the filling adapter to your gun. That way you will save the cost of a DIN adapter.

You should be able to buy a tank with a DIN fitting for less than $200. Dive shops will usually offer complimentary fillings when you buy a tank from them. Mine came with a card for 20 fillings. That should last me the rest of my life.

[Rover]

I don't like to be negative, but if you're just beginning you might seriously consider a single stroke pneumatic such as the Pardini K58. It is also much easier to find CO2 at welding supply shops or fire extinguisher dealers.

You will not handicap yourself in the least by going to either of these style guns. You probably will get a much better price on a gun, too.

[Oz]

Rover is WURD!

SSP... see if you stick with it. Shoot a goal with the SSP (525?), then consider CA or CO2.

[Richard H]

Or just buy what you like there is really no great performance reason to start out with a lesser pistol, if you have the money and want to buy top of the line, which for the most part is pretty inexpensive in the realm of sporting goods go ahead and get one. The other thing good air pistols SSP, CO2 and CA hold their value pretty well. There is always someone looking for one.

[AE80016]

I appreciate all the info guys. My brother-in-law is a scuba instructor so it looks like I need to go visit him!

Thanks!