On Tue, 09 Dec 2003 07:13:14 -0700, mark wrote:

To add a bit of metalworking, I too have been pondering buying a
corney... because I'd rather not be bottling, the corney is cheap
enough, a 5lb bottle will last a LONG time, the bottle and regulator are
a bit pricy for what I have to spend, I DO have a couple large paintball
tanks though. Has anyone made an adapter(out of metal of course!),
that adapts a paintball tank to the regulator? I have made an adapter
that fits the paintball tank, what is the thread of a regular bottle and
regulator?


It's called a CGA-320 fitting.

http://www.concoa.com/frames/technic...onn/cga320.htm

Actually, the fittings for most paintball tanks are exactly the same as a
standard CO2 regulator, except that the paintball tank has a pin valve
(like a propane tank for a hand torch) and a standard regulator doesn't
have the pin necessary to depress the valve.

There's an item called a "Lapco dual adapter" that will work for
connecting the two. It also has an extra 1/8" NPT port on the side that
needs to be plugged. Usually places that sell the adapter also sell
the plugs.

Personally, I'd be wary about making one of these myself at my novice
skill level. CO2 tanks can produce 700-1000 psi depending on
temperature... more than enough to ruin your day if the fitting lets
loose. I just bought a ready-made.

The paintball tanks are great for portable use, although getting them
refilled is far more expensive than refilling a 20 lb tank. I bit the
bullet and leased a 20 lb. tank from the local welding supply. You can
get a device that lets you refill the paintball tank from the big tank,
but I don't have one of those yet (this requires either getting a large
tank with a dip tube or inverting the tank; you need to get liquid CO2
flowing, not gas).

Metalworking content:

I did recently buy an extra lid from one of my Corny kegs. I'm planning to
drill it and tap it for a 1" hose barb fitting for a blowoff and
ferment directly in the Corny. All-stainless brewing.. yeah!

--
Tony Hursh
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