co2

Gary, from reading the posts, it sounds like a good way to go. My only experience with CO2 was using it with my draft beer kegs.

I switched over to CO2 a couple of months ago after I found a cheap tank at a local flea market, and so far I love it. Got a regulator from a home-brew beer store and had it filled at a welding supply - total cost about $60. The regulator has two guages, one for tank pressure and one for output psi and the pressure can be adjusted in 1 lb increments.
The only downside is that you have to be careful not to knock it over and break off a fitting (mine is chained to the bench). I have heard that the tank pressure can read 800 psi until right before it runs out so you will probably need some sort of backup in case you run out in the middle of a session.
Any long-term CO2 users out there that can confirm this?

I use it. I've got a 20 cu ft bottle Definetly restrain the bottle somehow. a double stage regulator (2 guages) will tell ya if you're running low. i just pick up the bottle.

Thread on bottle pressures is here:

http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/CO2/bottle.html#9

I have been using CO2 for a couple of years now, and I wouldn't go back to a mechanical compressor. Plus, I shoot the CO2 into resin and RTV bottles to drive out the moisture, and these things last WAY longer than they used to!

Matt, thanks for that link! Good info.

Ashley, great idea! Do you use it for bottled paint, too? Think I'll give it a try.

They have their good points and bad.
The positives are that they are quiet, portable, and have dry air that needs no moisture trap.
The negative is that over time it costs more to fill them than a good compressor and it is possible to run out in the middle of a project, although you could have an extra tank ready or keep the one you have full. They are also more dangerous as was mentioned but I don't feel they are any worse than other potential dangers in a house.

Mike

I'm willing to pay the difference over the long run just to get the positive aspects I guess. I've been using a really old compressor(probably from the '50s) since I started building model planes back in the mid-80s. Talk about crude...it was the kind that put out about 30psi continuously. It sorta looked like a little compact vac-cleaner, with two, opposed breathers(?) at one end. I finally put a cheap regulator with moisture trap on it but it was still hard to use. It made a helluva racket too. When it died recently, I resolved to try the CO2. I do have a large, wheeled compressor in my tool-room that I could resort to if the CO2 ran out in the middle of a job. I'll post later with my results/opinions with the "gas". Later, Gary.