09-06-2015, 04:05 PM
OK.... last one I promise. Sort of a tool I guess. 
The Mrs. and daughter are into making their own carbonated beverages now since they bought one of the "SodaStream" machines. Like all good advertising gimmicks, where they get you is on the cost of replacing their proprietary CO2 canisters. $35 for an 11 ounce can of CO2 (Exchanged).
No way says I! So I find an adapter fitting to convert the machine to accept commonly available (and refillable) paintball CO2 bottles. AHA!!! But then multiple trips back and forth to the local sporting goods store to get the paintball bottles refilled every time they ran out of gas started getting old real quick. ( $5 - $7 for a 20 / 24 ounce refill.) Better but still....
So the heck with! I'll buy a charging station and refill them myself! They are cheap on eBay!!!!
Yeah, well let me tell you. THIS is what all the internet sellers are passing off as a charging station to be used on CO2 containers that hold an average of 800 - 850 PSI. Cheap zinc/brass fittings made in China along with Chinese made ball valves rated at 300 WOG. That's 300 PSI, water, oil, or gas.
Again, NO THANK YOU.
I built my own using extra thick brass "Instrument grade" (high pressure) fittings and 100% stainless steel valves and stainless steel braided hoses all rated at 1000 PSI +. The cost of the CO2 in my 50 lb. tank works out to around 30 cents per 20 ounce refill at home vs. the $35 11 ounce bottles at Bed Bath And Beyond....
MUCH better.
The Mrs. and daughter are into making their own carbonated beverages now since they bought one of the "SodaStream" machines. Like all good advertising gimmicks, where they get you is on the cost of replacing their proprietary CO2 canisters. $35 for an 11 ounce can of CO2 (Exchanged).
No way says I! So I find an adapter fitting to convert the machine to accept commonly available (and refillable) paintball CO2 bottles. AHA!!! But then multiple trips back and forth to the local sporting goods store to get the paintball bottles refilled every time they ran out of gas started getting old real quick. ( $5 - $7 for a 20 / 24 ounce refill.) Better but still....
So the heck with! I'll buy a charging station and refill them myself! They are cheap on eBay!!!!
Yeah, well let me tell you. THIS is what all the internet sellers are passing off as a charging station to be used on CO2 containers that hold an average of 800 - 850 PSI. Cheap zinc/brass fittings made in China along with Chinese made ball valves rated at 300 WOG. That's 300 PSI, water, oil, or gas.
Again, NO THANK YOU.
I built my own using extra thick brass "Instrument grade" (high pressure) fittings and 100% stainless steel valves and stainless steel braided hoses all rated at 1000 PSI +. The cost of the CO2 in my 50 lb. tank works out to around 30 cents per 20 ounce refill at home vs. the $35 11 ounce bottles at Bed Bath And Beyond....
MUCH better.
Willie