Using a small propane bottle as compressed air reservoir, which valve?

[Domdom]

Morning chaps. Since my compressor is fixed in place, and I don’t feel the need to but 100 metres of air hoses, I’m thinking about using a small propane bottle as something to use for stuff like air nailers etc in the house. I have a load of architrave to replace as we tart up the house ready to put on the market.

So what would I need to fit in place of the gas valve on the bottle? Presumably something incorporating a PRV safety thingammy….

I looked at a small receiver but by the time it’s all made ready I might as well buy a cheap hobby compressor, whereas I have quite a few of the 6kg propane bottles doing nothing since we sold the caravan.

 

[MickeyW]

Interesting idea, however I think air nailers need to be fed a decent pressure (say 90 PSI) to work to their full effect. I'm not sure how long a small tank could provide this pressure for without needing a refill.
It's hard to justify much effort when such portable things as this machine exist for really not very much £.

 

[Agroshield]

I do not know the answer, but three things to consider:

1. you will fill it from your existing compressor so will not be able to pressurise it more than the tank cut-off pressure of that one or lower regulator pressure of that one if that is in between.
2. you will fill it from your existing compressor so whatever you fit has to be compatible with that in terms of airflow, not restricting it and allowing the portable tank to be disconnected safely when full.
3. look at commercial ones and copy what they do.

 

[Cobbler]

I did the same many years ago with a gas bottle that the company had gone out of business. I got a large pair of Stillsons & unscrewed the valve & found the thread 3/4BSP, I screwed in a 3/4x1/2 reducing bush, a barrel nipple & a tee piece on top with a couple of PCL connectors fitted. I fill this with a male to male PCL adaptor. I’ve used it with a Lidl air staple gun & it will put in about 70 before refilling. This is with a 13kilo cylinder, not a 6 though, I have also found it useful for bunging in the car when someone has a flat tyre

 

[angellonewolf]

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copy this ?

 

[brightspark]

i use an air nailer with this portable tank any smaller and it would be useless . a 6kg is 2 small. i fill this to 125 psi and can fire off about 80 nails . i use it as an inline cooling tank for blasting and for blowing tires up as well

 

[minimutly]

I did the same many years ago with a gas bottle that the company had gone out of business. I got a large pair of Stillsons & unscrewed the valve & found the thread 3/4BSP, I screwed in a 3/4x1/2 reducing bush, a barrel nipple & a tee piece on top with a couple of PCL connectors fitted. I fill this with a male to male PCL adaptor. I’ve used it with a Lidl air staple gun & it will put in about 70 before refilling. This is with a 13kilo cylinder, not a 6 though, I have also found it useful for bunging in the car when someone has a flat tyre

Yep, did the same 40 years ago, put a fridge compressor and some wheels on one. Worked well. These days I'd buy a machine mart one ( well I did,does loads of small jobs, including some spraying).

 

[minimutly]

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copy this ?

You see that - I was getting a mate fit some tyres for me. Wouldn't get up onto the rim, out comes the tank BANG! Never heard anything so loud, ears ringing and everything...

 

[Domdom]

Yep, did the same 40 years ago, put a fridge compressor and some wheels on one. Worked well. These days I'd buy a machine mart one ( well I did,does loads of small jobs, including some spraying).

Yep, on balance I think a small unit is in order.