Plumbing CO2 ideas?

[stalwart]

I need to come up with a way to plumb a custom gun. I've looked into all the paintball lines and fittings, but I don't need the flexibility or complexity. Can I use automotive brake line, or some other hard line? I only need 4", and am equipped to try just about anything. Both ends of this will go into (quality) aluminum, but only 1 needs to be removable (have the tank fitting, paintball), and I can braze the other if the line is aluminum.

I'm trying hard to keep this clean (it will be external), any suggestions?

[Kailua]

Aluminum has to tig or mig welded in your case tig welding would be best.  But aluminum can not be welded to a different metal or alloy. 

[stalwart]

They make brazing rod for aluminum, too. You have to clean the joint well with a clean stainless brush, but people have put blades back on boat props with it.

[Kailua]

Come to think of it I remember that commercial and you may be right.  Been a retired sheetmetal worker but never seen it used in commercial use.  Come to think of it they sell aluminum electrodes for stick welding but never used that also. But any aluminum welding application cannot be done with with different materials other than aluminum in my understanding.   Unless something new has come up.  I can see welding some kind of threaded fitting to make a connection.  Anyways good luck on your project and be safe.  Even at 900 psi can be a lot of pressure.  GL

[QVTom]

Automotive brake line seems like a good choice.  Bends easily with the right tools, rated for hydraulic pressure ( well above CO2), impact and stress resistant and can be easily brazed or silver soldered.  Use common sense and care when brazing or soldering, keep in mind that these methods rely on contact area for strength.  No but joints, large gaps, etc.

Tom

[jct842]

As been said aluminum can not be welded/brazed/soldered to anything but aluminum.  Also do not forget you will be dealing with 800lbs per square inch and it is far from the pressures commonly available air fittings are rated at.  I seriously doubt the safety of using "aluminum solder" as it is a way softer material from say 6061 aluminum/  800lbs per square inch letting loose can open up some nasty wounds.

[stalwart]

Thanks, guys.

If I were to give up on looks, and just plumb it with standard hardware, maybe it could join the Dark Side someday...  We'll see.