can you use compressed co2 to power a pneumatic rotary tool?
Posted on November 12th, 2010 by admin
I want to power a rotary sander with compressed co2. Even though the tool is designed to be powered by compressed air, will co2 work?
I disagree with parts of both answers so far – a big tank of CO2 will certainly power a pneumatic tool – it is pressurized to over 2000 psi and with a regulator you can easily get that to 60, 90 or 120 psi for tool use. But a tank will cost you $100 or more to purchase and refilling will be about $20 and tank will not last very long.
Pneumatic tools use a LOT of air and many air compressors don’t have the capacity to keep them running for long (I have a small Sears compressor on a tank and when used on the few grinding, etc. tools I have, it runs fine for a few minutes, but then the pressure drops as I take more air each minute than the compressor can force into the tank.
November 12th, 2010 at 10:52 am
Yes if the pressure is enough, and you have enough money, CO2 will be expensive and in most cases will not have enough pressure psi.
Most sanders, DA. or Jitterbug, or whatever usually will require 50 to 70 psi to even run them. CO2 simply isn’t functional
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November 12th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Short answer….yes you can.
What to be careful about…..freezing your hand to the tool. Make sure you wear your winter gloves, or your digits will turn to popsicles.
I would agree, it’s not really a good idea to use co2.
be careful!
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November 12th, 2010 at 11:34 am
I disagree with parts of both answers so far – a big tank of CO2 will certainly power a pneumatic tool – it is pressurized to over 2000 psi and with a regulator you can easily get that to 60, 90 or 120 psi for tool use. But a tank will cost you $100 or more to purchase and refilling will be about $20 and tank will not last very long.
Pneumatic tools use a LOT of air and many air compressors don’t have the capacity to keep them running for long (I have a small Sears compressor on a tank and when used on the few grinding, etc. tools I have, it runs fine for a few minutes, but then the pressure drops as I take more air each minute than the compressor can force into the tank.
References :
November 12th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Hi Carl, The thing everyone has missed so far is that CO2 is not life sustaining, so if you are planning to use the tool in an enclosed space, don’t! While CO2 is not a poisonous gas (whereas CO is), it will displace oxygen in a closed environment and breathing will become difficult, and ultimately cause suffocation. If you are determined to use CO2, make sure there is plenty of ventilation.
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me
November 12th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
everyone is correct so far, and Mez is even more so.
however, where are you going to get the CO2?
if you’re thinking of those small cartridges, you’ll run out before you get any significant use.
one would think that normal air would be cheaper, and easier.
it’s not that co2 wouldn’t work, it will.
but why pay a premium for it?
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November 12th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Ya but its cheaper to run it off of a nitrogen bottle.
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November 12th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Let me point out another potential problem. CO2 is usually stored at very high pressure. As you let the pressure down to the 50 to 100 psi range, there is the danger of over pressure if the system regulators are not protected by properly sized relief valves.
I have personally taken one of my work mates to the hospital with a very serious injury to his foot because of the failure to not have this type of protection.
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