Trouble Finding CO2 Equip

[latnem]

Hey Guys! So I spent all weekend driving around to a few welding supply stores where I live in search of CO2 equipment! Most of the stores only deal with commercial and other just didn't have much equipment in stock.

So.....I'm thinking I might try to purchase all or most items online. Can people suggest specifically where to procure these parts?

I've done some searches on ebay but am just not sure of the quality of parts used for a lot of these pre-built regulators.

So if anyone can point me to particular name brands, ebay sellers, or reasonably priced online stores? That you may have dealt with in the past and had a good experience.

Thanks guys!

[larams67]

The swapnshop would be a good place to start. I've seen a few good deals in there lately.

I use a micro-matic regulator. It was less than $50 and has been working almost 8 years now. I bought it at the beverage factory.

For a needle valve I use a clippard. Gets the job done but not the best. I read a lot of people really like the nv55 parker.

I think a tank is a tank as long as it's been tested. The biggest decision on those will be size. Personally I like the 10lbers. Not to big and still lasts over a year per fill for my uses.

You might want to order a few washers for your regulator once you find one. Unless you have the permanent type you'll need a replacement every time you refill.

[wkndracer]

SuMo or GLA wanting quality go to either and your done
nuffsaid

[K Anderson]

I have a Matheson regulator that I need to sell. I would probablly need $75.00 shipped. PM me if you are intrested and I can send some pictures.

[Joe.1]

Got a Linde dual stage regulator on ebay-$45.00
Post body kit from yikesjason with all the fittings and brass check valves and co2 tubing-$90
5 lb co2 tank with permaseal and filled -craigslist - $50.00
Total is $185. All I had to do was assemble. everything works great!!!

[mcubed45]

Originally Posted by wkndracer

SuMo or GLA wanting quality go to either and your done
nuffsaid

or build an identical regulator yourself for $100-150 less :p

depends if you like tinkering to save some cash or rather pay a premium for the customer service. matter of personal preference

[msawdey]

Originally Posted by wkndracer

SuMo or GLA wanting quality go to either and your done
nuffsaid

agreed!

[kevmo911]

My cheap, but perfectly functional rig:
Milwaukee MA957 regulator/solenoid/nv/bc - one of the online reef stores - $95
5lb CO2 cylinder - AirGas local store - $65
DIY Grigg reactor - $25 in parts

This is my slightly more uppity rig:
Dual Stage Victor Regulator - Ebay - $40
Fabco-Air NV-55-18 needle valve - Fabco online store - $45
Burkert solenoid - SnS - $40
JBJ-style bubble counter - Ebay - $15
175' polyethylene thick-walled tubing - Ebay - $27
Cheap diffusers - Ebay - $6 or so each for a 3-pack
5lb CO2 cylinder - AirGas local store - $65

The secret to finding those really good, yet amazingly cheap regulators (I bought both a Victor and Concoa dual stage from somebody on Ebay for $75 total shipped) is to search for them in several different categories, and just make a big ole watch list. If you can't tell if it's a dual-stage from the pic, just do a google search with the model number. And you won't find hardly any with a CGA320 fitting (that's the CO2 fitting), but they're cheap at a welding store, so don't worry about what the nipple and nut look like. Oh, and search US-only.

[btimmer92]

I have a regulator kit that comes with everything you need to attach to a regulator. Solenoid, needle valve, bubble counter, check valve, and tubing.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sw...co2-parts.html

[pianofish]

Originally Posted by kevmo911

The secret to finding those really good, yet amazingly cheap regulators (I bought both a Victor and Concoa dual stage from somebody on Ebay for $75 total shipped) is to search for them in several different categories, and just make a big ole watch list. If you can't tell if it's a dual-stage from the pic, just do a google search with the model number. And you won't find hardly any with a CGA320 fitting (that's the CO2 fitting), but they're cheap at a welding store, so don't worry about what the nipple and nut look like. Oh, and search US-only.

Question from a complete Co2 noob. Is there a difference between the victor oxygen regulators and like the Acetelyene and the pressurized gas regulators? I'm also in the market for a cheap dual stage regulator and I'm awefully bamboozled.
Thanks,
Pianofish

[kevmo911]

Originally Posted by pianofish

Question from a complete Co2 noob. Is there a difference between the victor oxygen regulators and like the Acetelyene and the pressurized gas regulators? I'm also in the market for a cheap dual stage regulator and I'm awefully bamboozled.
Thanks,
Pianofish

The difference is the nipple and nut. And they're *all* pressurized gas regulators. If they weren't pressurized, there'd be no need for a regulator. Just make sure the working pressure gauge goes to at least 60psi and you're fine. They'll come with a CGA510, 520, 580, etc. - each gas has a different fitting. You'll have to remove the nipple and replace it with a CGA320 nipple and nut, which requires either a vise and a wrench, or a wrench and brute force, with a side order of frustration. I've replaced a couple with no vise, and it's been obnoxious but doable.

Matheson, Victor, Concoa are good names off the top of my head, but there are others. But, be warned, they're a lot bigger than you realize, especially if they're dual stage. They'll generally have 1/4" fittings, and we use primarily 1/8" (or even 10-32), so you'll need a reducer on top of the extra fittings to piece everything together. You can find them here or at Home Depot.

[xxxSHyXAxxx]

beveragefactory.com for the reg and you can get a co2 tank there as well. if you live nere san diego you can pick up at the show room. you can get the neddle valve from fabco-air.com and you can get a silinoid from freshwatersystems.com

[latnem]

Man thanks for all the feedback.

*kevmo911* We have an AirGas store here that I haven't checked out yet, good to know they sell some useful things.

[Dan Knowlton]

Originally Posted by wkndracer

SuMo or GLA wanting quality go to either and your done
nuffsaid

+100 on my SuMo!

Dan K.