I'm aware that CO2 can be used to power nailers and I was wondering if
the same could be said for nitrogen. In speaking with a guy at a
welding supply shop he indicated that there might not be as much of a
condensation issue with nitrogen and it is comparable in price.
(Liquid co2 v high pressure air/N)
I guess I'm really asking if anyone knows of a source for regulators
that'll take the N from 2000-2200psi down to around 150psi for the
guns.
Thanks.
JP
Amazon.com sells them, also any business selling arco air products should
also.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000BO1KFO/qid=1128919838/sr=8-3/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i3_xgl60/002-9707258-5494429?v=glance&s=home-garden&n=507846#amzn-reviews
Nitrogen bottles and regulators have backward threads.
Search on nigrogen+regulator at amazon (pick search all or you will just get
information on books.
I carried nitrogen bottles in my work truck for years (telco cable splicer
retired) two sizes, two 5' bottle and couple smaller sizes.
As not having a compressor on most trucks we used them for any and every
source of compressed air. For using them for air powered tools,
they will work but depending on the tool, they will shortly run out of air.
grinders are one of the worse for using air.
Impact wrenches are ok, will last a while and should run a nailer a good
bit too.
Unless you have a cheap source of supply or are using in an area where there
is no power source it would not be worth
the cost to use.The bottles are really heavy and difficult to manage. We
used 100 to 200 foot hoses so we would not have
to drag the bottles out of the trucks. Even then at times had to leave at a
job site and they are a bear to drag around, or roll as
the case may be. The smaller bottles are more portable, but do not hold as
much as the large tanks.
You would be better off with a small compressor. Much easier to carry and
ready when you are. Also if cost is an issue or weight
a small portable generator and a small compressor. Still easier to carry and
much cheaper to run over time.
For once in a while, the nitrogen bottles will work fine, But I sure
wouldn't want to pay to keep filling them up or carry them around.
Another thing to consider. They are under 2200# or more of pressure. You
must have a secure method of transporting the tanks
and storing them. If the top valve gets knocked off when they are full..
they become a missle. I saw one fall off a truck and hit the concrete
loading ramp... (The top was not screwed on right and came off) A deafining
noise as it propelled itself across a 100' parking lot and stopped when it
hit a chain link fence.
Could have caused a lot of damage if it had hit something. Don't want that
to happen in a truck either
Horsing around nitrogen bottles is a young man's sport
Chuck
"Jay Pique" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm aware that CO2 can be used to power nailers and I was wondering if
> the same could be said for nitrogen. In speaking with a guy at a
> welding supply shop he indicated that there might not be as much of a
> condensation issue with nitrogen and it is comparable in price.
> (Liquid co2 v high pressure air/N)
>
> I guess I'm really asking if anyone knows of a source for regulators
> that'll take the N from 2000-2200psi down to around 150psi for the
> guns.
>
> Thanks.
> JP
>
Jay Pique wrote:
> I'm aware that CO2 can be used to power nailers and I was wondering if
> the same could be said for nitrogen. In speaking with a guy at a
> welding supply shop he indicated that there might not be as much of a
> condensation issue with nitrogen and it is comparable in price.
> (Liquid co2 v high pressure air/N)
>
> I guess I'm really asking if anyone knows of a source for regulators
> that'll take the N from 2000-2200psi down to around 150psi for the
> guns.
>
> Thanks.
> JP
generally you can get the regulator from the same place you get the
tank. if not, you can get them from an online welding supplier.
I have a co2 tank for nailguns. condensation isn't a problem. nitrogen
should be fine too. I'm not sure, but I think the regulator for
nitrogen is the same one as for co2. the fitting is different, maybe,
but the regulator is the same, something like that.
do _not_ use oxygen or any flammable gas like propane to drive a
nailgun.
co2 is a great system for small guns for when you need to move around a
lot, like installing trim. the tank is quiet, clean and lasts a long
time. if you want to run bigger guns the tank size needed goes up to
the point where lugging it around becomes a chore- a small compressor
is easier. by the time you need to drive a framing gun you will run
into the problem of the flow being high enough to freeze up the
regulator. if I'm going at it hard with my sfn40 (15g angled finish
nailer) I can frost up the valve. the only thing to do then is stop and
let it thaw. if you mostly need to run a brad nailer and might need to
drive a few bigger nails a day you'll probably be OK.
I recommend getting the biggest tank you can easily carry, and build a
cart for it that has a spool for hose and a way to tie it down for
transport. those tanks hold a lot of energy- knocking the valve off in
a fender bender is like having a small bomb go off in your car.
Jay Pique wrote:
> I'm aware that CO2 can be used to power nailers and I was wondering if
> the same could be said for nitrogen.
Yes, but not practically. As CO2 liquiefies under pressure without
needing to refrigerate it, you can carry a _lot_ more CO2 in a portable
bottle than you can nitrogen.
Nitrogen is sometimes used (mainly as a filler for pressurising
hydraulic accumulators, or for inflating aircraft tyres) because it
doesn't support combustion as oxygen does and it's more chemically
inert than CO2. These tasks are generally where the gas is stored in
some part of the mechanism afterwards though - for one-shot usage like
running a pneumatic tool, just stick with the CO2.
[email protected] wrote:
> Jay Pique wrote:
> > I'm aware that CO2 can be used to power nailers and I was wondering if
> > the same could be said for nitrogen.
>
> Yes, but not practically. As CO2 liquiefies under pressure without
> needing to refrigerate it, you can carry a _lot_ more CO2 in a portable
> bottle than you can nitrogen.
>
> Nitrogen is sometimes used (mainly as a filler for pressurising
> hydraulic accumulators, or for inflating aircraft tyres) because it
> doesn't support combustion as oxygen does and it's more chemically
> inert than CO2. These tasks are generally where the gas is stored in
> some part of the mechanism afterwards though - for one-shot usage like
> running a pneumatic tool, just stick with the CO2.
Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm going to digest this for a while.
Further bulletins as events warrant.
JP
"Jay Pique" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm aware that CO2 can be used to power nailers and I was wondering if
> the same could be said for nitrogen. In speaking with a guy at a
> welding supply shop he indicated that there might not be as much of a
> condensation issue with nitrogen and it is comparable in price.
> (Liquid co2 v high pressure air/N)
>
> I guess I'm really asking if anyone knows of a source for regulators
> that'll take the N from 2000-2200psi down to around 150psi for the
> guns.
>
> Thanks.
> JP
First, Yes, Nitrogen will work fine, regulators are available at most every
welding supply stores or online.
Second, why? For big jobs, an air compressor is the only way to go. With
the new, light weight polyurethane hoses you can easily run out a 100' of
1/4 hose.
Lastly, think Paslode for short difficult to get a hose too job.
Dave
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
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Lyndell Thompson wrote:
> Jay, yes you can get a regulator to provide the pressures you need. BTW I
> am a refrigeration service tech. We run nitrogen thru pipes sometimes at 3
> psi or so........to eliminate oxidation buildup on the inside of the pipe
> (black soot). One thing you or the welding supply may have overlooked is the
> fact that nitrogen is a gas only in a pressurized tank. You use it a few
> minutes and it is gone. Then you get to hook up another tank. Co2 goes a lot
> farther in a smaller vessel, due being a liquid as it boils off into a gas.
> In short, I have run an impact wrench for 15 minutes with a 10 pound Co2
> tank, I can't imagine it running more than 30 seconds with a 10 pound
> nitrogen tank.
Ten pounds of N2 should go further than ten pounds of CO2 because
there are more molecultes of N2 in a pound. At the same pressure,
the N2 tank would have to be much larger for the reason you indicated.
Instead, N2 will typically be kept at a much higher pressure in a
much stronger tank and if that N2 tank breaks when full, as for
example if it falls and the valve at the top hits hard on the floor
and cracks off, the result will be much more spectacular.
> Ever see the trucks on the highway that say : caution liquid
> nitrogen ? There is a refrigeration unit on back keeping it cool so it
> doesn't explode.
Actually, I think they vent the tank so it doesn't explode.
--
FF
Jay Pique wrote:
> I'm aware that CO2 can be used to power nailers and I was wondering if
> the same could be said for nitrogen. In speaking with a guy at a
> welding supply shop he indicated that there might not be as much of a
> condensation issue with nitrogen and it is comparable in price.
> (Liquid co2 v high pressure air/N)
>
> I guess I'm really asking if anyone knows of a source for regulators
> that'll take the N from 2000-2200psi down to around 150psi for the
> guns.
Nitrogen would have zero water in it. When I used to airbrush, I would
hook up directly to a nitrogen tank with a regulator without a moisture
trap just because of this advantage.
As far as regulators, just google it. Tons of companies sell
regulators for nitrogen.
"Jay Pique" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm aware that CO2 can be used to power nailers and I was wondering if
> the same could be said for nitrogen. In speaking with a guy at a
> welding supply shop he indicated that there might not be as much of a
> condensation issue with nitrogen and it is comparable in price.
> (Liquid co2 v high pressure air/N)
>
> I guess I'm really asking if anyone knows of a source for regulators
> that'll take the N from 2000-2200psi down to around 150psi for the
> guns.
>
> Thanks.
> JP
>
I carry Nitrogen in my HVAC service truck. Using nitro for a nail gun should
be no problem. I use the nitro for purging AC linesets while brazing to
reduce the black oxidation that forms. Any welding shop will have an
appropriate regulator, it should not be very expensive either.
After having a flat tire in the middle of no where I carry a tire chuck and
a regular shop air gun that will connect to the nitro tank using 1/4" flare
AC hose fittings. In your case it would be simple to install a air hose
disconnect to the regulator.
Greg
On 9 Oct 2005 19:03:26 -0700, Jay Pique <[email protected]> wrote:
> I'm more interested in the portability of carrying a small nitrogen
> tank with me to a job than lugging a compressor and cords around.
What's the displacement of your nailgun, and what's the volume of that
tank (at 100PSI)? How many shots will you get at best from each tank?
On 9 Oct 2005 19:03:26 -0700, Jay Pique <[email protected]> wrote:
> I'm more interested in the portability of carrying a small nitrogen
> tank with me to a job than lugging a compressor and cords around.
By the way, fire departments have breathing air in 2215 PSI tanks, which
is dry. So you can get compressed air in tanks just like nitrogen or
whatever else, and it's probably cheaper. You don't care about purity,
just dryness, right?
"Jay Pique" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm aware that CO2 can be used to power nailers and I was wondering if
> the same could be said for nitrogen. In speaking with a guy at a
> welding supply shop he indicated that there might not be as much of a
> condensation issue with nitrogen and it is comparable in price.
> (Liquid co2 v high pressure air/N)
>
> I guess I'm really asking if anyone knows of a source for regulators
> that'll take the N from 2000-2200psi down to around 150psi for the
> guns.
>
Since nobody has given the proper answer, here goes.
When a gas under pressure is allowed to expand, it cools. Cool can't
support as much moisture, so it condenses. Under compression, the reverse
happens. In short, the nitrogen in your tank is "dry" because the
condensation and/or desiccation have happened elsewhere.
Nitrogen is used for purging operations not because it's "dry," but because
it is non-reactive. Oxygen evolved from a LOX tank would take up excess
moisture in a pipe, but it would also make corrosion, or it's rapid cousin,
explosion.
Jay Pique (in [email protected])
said:
| I'm aware that CO2 can be used to power nailers and I was wondering
| if the same could be said for nitrogen. In speaking with a guy at a
| welding supply shop he indicated that there might not be as much of
| a condensation issue with nitrogen and it is comparable in price.
| (Liquid co2 v high pressure air/N)
|
| I guess I'm really asking if anyone knows of a source for regulators
| that'll take the N from 2000-2200psi down to around 150psi for the
| guns.
Jay...
This is *not* an area in which I have any expertise; but it seems to
me that a gas welding regulator should be able to provide the pressure
reduction. I'm just not sure that the output pressure could be set as
_high_ as 150PSI...
A phone call to a welding supply outfit might provide a quick (and
expert) answer.
--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/solar.html
On Mon, 10 Oct 2005 08:41:34 -0700, Larry Jaques
<novalidaddress@di\/ersify.com> wrote:
>On 9 Oct 2005 19:03:26 -0700, with neither quill nor qualm, "Jay
>Pique" <[email protected]> quickly quoth:
>
>>I'm more interested in the portability of carrying a small nitrogen
>>tank with me to a job than lugging a compressor and cords around.
>
>Many finish-carpenters do that instead of lugging around a compressor.
>Check with the welding stores near you for the entire setup. Most
>should have what you need.
>
> ---
>In Christianity, neither morality nor religion comes into contact
>with reality at any point. --FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE
>---------------------------------------------------------------
> - http://diversify.com Comprehensive Website Development -
I remodeled my kitchen, ripped out some walls and replacesd all the
trim wood. I went through several "sticks" of nails in my finish
nailer and didn't use much out of a 20# CO2 tank. I was using a
"balloon inflater" regulator that puts out about 80PSI because that is
what I had handy.
It was a lot easier than stringing a hose in from the garage and
having to leave a door open.
Nitrogen can be used for tools. Depending on the reason maybe not the
best . Spray gun for paint might be very good. If you can not tolerate
moisture showing up in or on the product might be good.
Hospital ORs use nitrogen for certain tools ( Saws ) and they have a
medical air systems. Air that compressed in a pump with a water seal so
NO oil gets into the air supply. ( pretty darn near spotless) .
Also use air driers on control air lines for building controls. Those
pesky little controllers just cannot deal with moisture.
Good refrigerated air drier depending on cfm can be pricey.
Lugging a nitrogen tank around is not much fun either. Ever consider the
use of wheels to move an air compressor. ? Now if you can not put wheels
on the air compressor, you better call for one of those trucks you see
on the road delivering to supply houses and Hospitals. Check with your
local welding supply house, if they don't have what you want then YOU
don't need it.
On 9 Oct 2005 19:03:26 -0700, with neither quill nor qualm, "Jay
Pique" <[email protected]> quickly quoth:
>I'm more interested in the portability of carrying a small nitrogen
>tank with me to a job than lugging a compressor and cords around.
Many finish-carpenters do that instead of lugging around a compressor.
Check with the welding stores near you for the entire setup. Most
should have what you need.
---
In Christianity, neither morality nor religion comes into contact
with reality at any point. --FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE
---------------------------------------------------------------
- http://diversify.com Comprehensive Website Development -
Jay, yes you can get a regulator to provide the pressures you need. BTW I
am a refrigeration service tech. We run nitrogen thru pipes sometimes at 3
psi or so........to eliminate oxidation buildup on the inside of the pipe
(black soot). One thing you or the welding supply may have overlooked is the
fact that nitrogen is a gas only in a pressurized tank. You use it a few
minutes and it is gone. Then you get to hook up another tank. Co2 goes a lot
farther in a smaller vessel, due being a liquid as it boils off into a gas.
In short, I have run an impact wrench for 15 minutes with a 10 pound Co2
tank, I can't imagine it running more than 30 seconds with a 10 pound
nitrogen tank. Ever see the trucks on the highway that say : caution liquid
nitrogen ? There is a refrigeration unit on back keeping it cool so it
doesn't explode. Unless there is new technology for nitrogen, I think you
are looking at vapor only for portable application. Keep in mind I am not
the final authority on this, I have had some experience with each. Ask the
welding shop if he has the regulators and see if he will do a demo. It will
help him and other potential customers. I might be dead wrong. I didn't have
an air compressor for a while when we first got married and I worked on
cars. I didn't do any woodworking at that time, so can't say for sure about
a nail gun.
Good luck Lyndell
"Jay Pique" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm aware that CO2 can be used to power nailers and I was wondering if
> the same could be said for nitrogen. In speaking with a guy at a
> welding supply shop he indicated that there might not be as much of a
> condensation issue with nitrogen and it is comparable in price.
> (Liquid co2 v high pressure air/N)
>
> I guess I'm really asking if anyone knows of a source for regulators
> that'll take the N from 2000-2200psi down to around 150psi for the
> guns.
>
> Thanks.
> JP
>
In article <[email protected]>, "Jay Pique" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I'm aware that CO2 can be used to power nailers and I was wondering if
>the same could be said for nitrogen. In speaking with a guy at a
>welding supply shop he indicated that there might not be as much of a
>condensation issue with nitrogen and it is comparable in price.
>(Liquid co2 v high pressure air/N)
>
>I guess I'm really asking if anyone knows of a source for regulators
>that'll take the N from 2000-2200psi down to around 150psi for the
>guns.
I've got to think that it's easier -- and FAR cheaper in the long run -- to
just put a moisture trap on a conventional air compressor.
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.
Morris Dovey wrote:
> This is *not* an area in which I have any expertise; but it seems to
> me that a gas welding regulator should be able to provide the pressure
> reduction. I'm just not sure that the output pressure could be set as
> _high_ as 150PSI...
>
> A phone call to a welding supply outfit might provide a quick (and
> expert) answer.
>
> --
> Morris Dovey
I use a lot of N2 and other gases, Concoa do some basic regs that will
put out 150psi no problems, I've got one that delivers up 3000psi for
one rig at work!
On 9 Oct 2005 18:30:48 -0700, "Jay Pique" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>I'm aware that CO2 can be used to power nailers and I was wondering if
>the same could be said for nitrogen. In speaking with a guy at a
>welding supply shop he indicated that there might not be as much of a
>condensation issue with nitrogen and it is comparable in price.
>(Liquid co2 v high pressure air/N)
>
>I guess I'm really asking if anyone knows of a source for regulators
>that'll take the N from 2000-2200psi down to around 150psi for the
>guns.
>
>Thanks.
>JP
Add a moisture trap to your compressor. If that is not enough, add an
air dryer--much less $ and no dealing with tank transports.
JP,
Yes N2 can be used to power tools and their are regulators available to make
that happen (from the same place you get the N2). I fix medical equipment
(the job I use to pay for my woodworking habit), and I can tell you that all
those fun tools used in surgery are powered by N2. They use it because it
is clean, it is dry and it is non-reactive (that is to say that it won't
feed a fire). However it is pricey, compared to using a compressor with a
moisture trap, which is what dentists use to power their "handpieces" (God
forbid we call them drills).
John C.
"Jay Pique" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm aware that CO2 can be used to power nailers and I was wondering if
> the same could be said for nitrogen. In speaking with a guy at a
> welding supply shop he indicated that there might not be as much of a
> condensation issue with nitrogen and it is comparable in price.
> (Liquid co2 v high pressure air/N)
>
> I guess I'm really asking if anyone knows of a source for regulators
> that'll take the N from 2000-2200psi down to around 150psi for the
> guns.
>
> Thanks.
> JP
>
>
Anyone seriously looking at nitrogen power for air tools look into Atlas
Copco as they now make a rotary screw air compressor that is putting out
nitrogen. We install them in tire shops and they allow you t o use
compressed air or nitrogen. I am an Atlas Copco factory service tech and
they make a pretty good compressor. If you are looking for just oil free
air then the SF unit is more for you. Any one have any questions let me
know.
[email protected]
On Sun, 9 Oct 2005 22:09:16 -0500, "Greg O" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>After having a flat tire in the middle of no where I carry a tire chuck and
>a regular shop air gun that will connect to the nitro tank using 1/4" flare
>AC hose fittings. In your case it would be simple to install a air hose
>disconnect to the regulator.
>Greg
>
the co2 tank will fill a tire up fast enough to reseat a blown bead.
not too many portable compressors that can do that!
Also, many paint ball guns operate on portable regulated nitrogen tanks. If
all else fails, try your local paint ball supplier. --dave
"Wood Butcher" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Have you considered a scuba tank? The regulators on them are
> 2 stage; the primary connects to the top of the tank and drops the
> pressure to about 150PSI into the hose which connects to the
> secondary at the mouthpiece which regulates to ambient pressure.
> Secondhand bottles can be inexpensive but be aware that they
> must be hydro'd every 5 years IIRC.
>
> Art
>
> "Jay Pique" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> I'm aware that CO2 can be used to power nailers and I was wondering if
>> the same could be said for nitrogen. In speaking with a guy at a
>> welding supply shop he indicated that there might not be as much of a
>> condensation issue with nitrogen and it is comparable in price.
>> (Liquid co2 v high pressure air/N)
>>
>> I guess I'm really asking if anyone knows of a source for regulators
>> that'll take the N from 2000-2200psi down to around 150psi for the
>> guns.
>>
>> Thanks.
>> JP
>>
>
>
On Mon, 10 Oct 2005 07:51:17 -0700, Jay Pique wrote:
>> some part of the mechanism afterwards though - for one-shot usage like
>> running a pneumatic tool, just stick with the CO2.
Do pneumatic tools exhaust the gas at the tool? One might want to consider
whether the driving gas supports life before using too much of it in an
enclosed space. Just a thought.
Have you considered a scuba tank? The regulators on them are
2 stage; the primary connects to the top of the tank and drops the
pressure to about 150PSI into the hose which connects to the
secondary at the mouthpiece which regulates to ambient pressure.
Secondhand bottles can be inexpensive but be aware that they
must be hydro'd every 5 years IIRC.
Art
"Jay Pique" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm aware that CO2 can be used to power nailers and I was wondering if
> the same could be said for nitrogen. In speaking with a guy at a
> welding supply shop he indicated that there might not be as much of a
> condensation issue with nitrogen and it is comparable in price.
> (Liquid co2 v high pressure air/N)
>
> I guess I'm really asking if anyone knows of a source for regulators
> that'll take the N from 2000-2200psi down to around 150psi for the
> guns.
>
> Thanks.
> JP
>
"Lyndell Thompson" <[email protected]> writes:
[...]
> nitrogen tank. Ever see the trucks on the highway that say : caution liquid
> nitrogen ? There is a refrigeration unit on back keeping it cool so it
> doesn't explode. Unless there is new technology for nitrogen, I think you
Not really. The tanks in which liquid nitrogen (or liquid argon) is
stored are very well insulated (with a vacuum sleeve, just like a
thermos bottle) and cooled by just letting some of the stuff
evaporate: They don't explode because they have an exhaust pipe
through wicht they continually leak the evaporated part of their content.
--
Dr. Juergen Hannappel http://lisa2.physik.uni-bonn.de/~hannappe
mailto:[email protected] Phone: +49 228 73 2447 FAX ... 7869
Physikalisches Institut der Uni Bonn Nussallee 12, D-53115 Bonn, Germany
CERN: Phone: +412276 76461 Fax: ..77930 Bat. 892-R-A13 CH-1211 Geneve 23