Purchasing carbon fiber tank questions.

[Gus]

I broke my Hill pump MK3, stripped the thread where the hose connects at the base of the pump. Time to move on and upgrade to carbon fiber tank. Planning on purchasing the 88 cu ft tank aka the Great White from Joe B. Here is a few questions.

1. Planning on carrying it around for bench shooting, no hiking or hunting in jungle. Is Great White overkill in term of mobility?
2. Can I find anything cheaper than Joe B.? Quality to price ratio wise?
3. Which hose assembly should I pick? hand tighten DIN-300 to female foster quick connect or DIN-300 to male foster quick connect?
4. For MA residents, any particular dive shop or paintball shop that you guys prefer? This question is kind of related to question 3.

Thanks in advance.

Gus.

[ztirffritz]

You can put together your own tank setup for much less than commercial setups. I'm doing it right now. I found an eBay source selling Phoenix Fire Dept tanks for $115)that need to be re-hydro tested but still have 8 years remaining on the useful life.   What I've found is that you can cut costs everywhere but in the valve. Even if you do it yourself it comes out to about the same as what airhogs or airtanksforsale charges.  I'm currently waiting for my hydro test to be completed. The last thing I need is fittings to connect the hose to the valve.  What it comes down to is patience and convenience. If you can wait while putting all the pieces together and can patiently research how to do it you can save about $400. If your time is worth more than that buy one from JoeB or Airhogs.  I've seen videos of people building cheap valves that look scary to me. Most people don't appreciate how dangerous 4500psi air is. Air at 4500psi is a bomb. Water at 4500psi is a squirt gun. Don't skimp on the valve and fittings.

[ztirffritz]

Start with a tank like these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/371107005440?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[ztirffritz]

Then a valve like these or similar:

[ztirffritz]

Crosman has a list HPA sources but you'll also need to find a place that does hydrostatic testing. Check the local FD to see where they take their tanks, or scuba shops.

[ztirffritz]

You could just look over the forum thread here where I started on this project: http://www.airgunnation.com/topic/ebay-air-tank-question/page/2/

[Jtlittle]

I broke my Hill pump MK3, stripped the thread where the hose connects at the base of the pump. Time to move on and upgrade to carbon fiber tank. Planning on purchasing the 88 cu ft tank aka the Great White from Joe B. Here is a few questions.

1. Planning on carrying it around for bench shooting, no hiking or hunting in jungle. Is Great White overkill in term of mobility?
2. Can I find anything cheaper than Joe B.? Quality to price ratio wise?
3. Which hose assembly should I pick? hand tighten DIN-300 to female foster quick connect or DIN-300 to male foster quick connect?
4. For MA residents, any particular dive shop or paintball shop that you guys prefer? This question is kind of related to question 3.

Thanks in advance.

Gus.

Find a fill station near you and ask how they connect to fill. Then call JoeB at air tanks forsale.com and he will tell you what you need. I have both Joes and a hog and as far as quality JoeB s can not be beat. When playing with a bomb I want the best equipment not to save a few dollars.

[FredSG]

Hi Gus,

There is a Dive Shop in Belmont, MA on Trapelo Road, near the Strand Movie House . . . don't know what they offer for filling tanks, but check them out and call them to find out.

Right now I have a Guppy from Joe B and use only his fittings and hoses.  I feel better using his tank and accessories . . . quality and safety are my main concerns.

FredSG

[ztirffritz]

I agree that Safety should be the primary concern, but it can be done cheaper with at least the same level of quality and safety if you do it yourself.  But it takes time and research.  When you pay full retail for a tank and all the trimmings, that is what you're paying for.  Someone else's expertise and experience.  The tank is where you'll save the money.  The other components I wouldn't skimp on.  You can buy the other components from JoeB, Airhog, or put them all together yourself for around $150.  From what I've seen, I'd question any components that come out to much less than that.  I'm not saying it can't be done, but others I've looked at looked dubious to me.

[Norm_m]

I went with this tank that is listed on E Bay Drager 4500psi SCBA tank 45 minute carbon wrapped Unused 2008 mfg date 65.5 SCF

Mine did not have a single scratch on it just like it just came out of the box. I know it is a $110 more then the same used tank they have listed but never having been used used was worth the extra to me.

Norm

[ztirffritz]

I went with this tank that is listed on E Bay Drager 4500psi SCBA tank 45 minute carbon wrapped Unused 2008 mfg date 65.5 SCF

Mine did not have a single scratch on it just like it just came out of the box. I know it is a $110 more then the same used tank they have listed but never having been used used was worth the extra to me.

Norm

You'll still need to get it Hydrostatically tested, as 2008 is past due.

[Norm_m]

OH yes I knew that and I dropped it off for a hydro the day it arrived.
I have my own Shoebox Compressor and could have used it without a hydro but seeing it had never been filled and that I put a new Joe B valve on it I felt better with it having a hydro. Unless I drop it or notice any issues that may be the last hydro it will see.

Norm

[ancient1one]

I bought both my tanks from Airhogs. As far as quality both my the Airhogs work flawlessly. Airhogs has many happy customers and if your not happy Van will take care of you. Just ask any Airhog customer.

If your paying more than $635 for a 88 cu ft tank setup your paying too much.

http://www.airhog.com/A25.01_Large%20Tank%20Set%20Page.html

[Gus]

Got the great white from Joe B. Second gauge and have DIN 300 to male foster connnect. Called up the dive shop around the area and they said they can fill up whatever valve assembly I have.

Thanks for all the input guys.

Gus.

[Jtlittle]

My hog works but I hate wasting air to see how much is in my tank. Not nearly as refined as my Tigershark.

[ancient1one]

My hog works but I hate wasting air to see how much is in my tank. Not nearly as refined as my Tigershark.

I understand. For me the $200+ saving was more important than the 10 cents of wasted air per fill.

[Jtlittle]

Compare apples to apples and there was only $27 difference. After shipping there was about $23 difference. I bought mine almost a year ago. I have no agenda like some.

[jeff76]

those never used dragers with an expired hydro and 8 years left, found on ebay are a good deal.  judge the price on how much you pay per year of service life remaining, not hydro.

a 12 year old tank in good condition that is still in hydro is not as valuable as a 8 year old tank in good condition with an expired hydro. 

brand new tanks to me aren't worth the extra 4 to 5 hundred dollars.  yes in the long run they are just as if not more cost effective, but more money out of pocket right now. 

and as far as filling options.  look around at local shops and find one that can and will do 4500psi fills.  don't buy a tank without first finding a means to fill it, otherwise its just a fancy paper weight

if you make your own fill whip make sure the parts are rated for high pressure.  hydraulic components will work.  I just bought one.  I paid too much for it and I wont mention where it came from, but I could have made one for about half the price if I took the time to actually reaserch what I needed.  actually I had all the parts laying around at work so I guess I could have made one for free, the company probably wouldn't like that though