Air tanks/cylinders from across the pond

You need your own compressor to fill them. I have couple of those and nobody certified will fill them unless you got a good buddy or relative willing to do it under the table for you when NOBODYS watching.

Like you mentioned, no DOT on it. You won’t be able to fill it, and if a savvy law officer pulls you over with it in your vehicle, you may be in a little whirligig of trouble.

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Ya know, is there a lawyer in the house? What's the DOT's scope of authority, I sure don't understand it. The DOT has limits, and while I know they manage certification of tanks, I don't understand the reasons why, what the limits or purpose of the certifications are, Why does the DOT certify a paintball tank? I suspect it's a side effect of maybe airline tanks, or something similar which is within their jurisdiction.

So, if there's a lawyer in the house that actually understands this stuff, care to elaborate a touch? I'd sure appreciate it.

I know the carbon fiber tanks are good for 15 years in the USA , Over the big pond its 30 years and beyond.

In a nut shell they will keep testing a C/F tank after 15 years, Here in the usa its a dead tank, Toss it.

Mike 

I'm betting that the tanks that you are looking at from the UK are made in China. Why don't you just cut out the middle man? From my understanding, your department of transport is responsible for the regulation of anything classified as dangerous goods. We have rules called ADRs, Australian design regulations, rules that cover almost everything over here. They are both bureaucratic bodies that enact laws that they believe will protect the public. None of these bodies recognises any other countries laws even if they are basically the same. That is why you can't buy 300 Bar steel scuba tanks over there whereas they are legal everywhere else in the world. I think that your laws restrict aluminium tanks to 200 bar and steel tanks to 230 bar. The industry needs to be regulated. If you went back to the wild west, there would be people blowing themselves up left right and centre. By the way, I just checked your link, the tank in the ad is a 12 litre 300 bar steel tank.

I know the carbon fiber tanks are good for 15 years in the USA , Over the big pond its 30 years and beyond.

In a nut shell they will keep testing a C/F tank after 15 years, Here in the usa its a dead tank, Toss it.

Mike

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I don't believe this is true. I think it is just another rumour started by somebody who had his facts mixed up. I see a lot of this on this forum. The fact is, even if you buy a CE certified tank from China, it will have a 15-year life span printed on the resined-over label. The clock starts ticking on that tank from its date of birth, not from when it is sold or put into service. 15 years is the life span here in Australia and I believe it to be the case everywhere else. I can't imagine any fire department using them more than 10 years anyway. Our brigades usually change them before the five-year hydro.

Hi steved192

Check these out http://www.shootair.com.au/products/composite-pcp-air-rifle-filling-cylinders/

From Australia so across a bigger pond the other way.

Regards

Deafdog.

Speaking of this topic I went to have my air tank filled at a local Dutch dive shop. I asked the manager if they would fill USA purchased tanks and he said no, unless they have the approved EU ratings, but even then it is a maybe. My tank is purchased here, and so I have no issues, but he said he doubt I could have it filled in a USA dive shop.

However, when i have to go to the USA I will have to get a compressor or a tank so I can charge, thus use my airgun/s which I have no problem bringing from here in the Netherlands, which will be my future FX Crown Continuum.

So basically it is a two way street.

Hey folks, about to get started with PCPs. One of the things that hurts the ‘ol budget is the price of a decent air tank. For a good size one that won’t leave me running to the dive shop every couple of sessions, it looks like you can spend over $700 (Great White for example). I have noticed that they seem to be MUCH cheaper in the UK. For about $375 dollars US, I could buy this tank (shipping to US included):

https://www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/range-right-12-litre-300-bar-air-cylinder-complete

Is there a hitch that I don’t know about? Not US certified and my local dive shop can’t fill? Some other pitfall?

Any feedback or knowledge you can share is greatly appreciated!

steved192

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The 12 liter tank from England is made of steel. If you had a 9 liter carbon fiber tank it would weigh less than 20 lbs. filled. This 12 liter steel tank is going to weigh around 45-50 lbs and the larger dimensions means it's like carrying a bag of cement around. If you had them side by side you'd immediately see why the carbon fiber tank is the better choice.

The first mistake newbies make in tanks and compressors is trying to get by on the cheap. Buy once, cry once. Aluminum and steel scuba tanks are much cheaper than carbon fiber but are a PITA to deal with unless you shoot strictly in one location such as your back yard. I'd like to see what the shipping cost is to get that 12 liter tank from England to the U.S. I'll bet it is expensive due to the weight, size, and distance. Faggedaboudit.

On the weight issue I have to agree with @Humdinger. The price difference between the 6.8 liter steel and carbon fiber tank was around $75 when i bought it from Krale, but I think it is money well spent. I had worked in a laboratory for years, and know how much steel tanks can way and god forbidden you drop one on your toe, believe it happens. However, I guess in the end it is up to you and what you want to get. Just make sure it is “useful”, meaning one you don’t mind the extra weight and you can get the tank filled / refilled after you bought it. Also, considering the store is in the UK returning the tank will probably be a bigger pain in the ass than it is worth.

I get a couple things out of this conversation, none of which I think I like:

1. Tanks are expensive, no matter where you are in the world. Even if you find a deal over the pond, it costs to ship and dealer support might be incredibly difficult.

2. If you are in Europe and have a DOT certification, I doubt anyone will fill the tank. If you are in North America and have a CE certification, probably no one will fill it.

3. If you buy with the incorrect certification, you can fill it yourself, but no one will ever inspect the tank so you never really know if at 10 years old how good the tank is.

For me, I guess I'll just suck it up and buy the DOT certified tanks and take the financial hit. So much easier than saving a couple bucks now and paying later.

Just looking at compressors for PCPs. I did a google search and this came up with AliExpress. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000433680780.html

Is it me or does this look like the Hatsan compressor for a $100 plus less?

Hi

A good place to buy tanks in the EU is here.

http://www.gasbottlesdirect.com/category/steel-scuba-tanks-300-bar/3

Regards 

Enkey 

As globalized as our world is I think it is time for our governments to set 1 standard. 

If I can buy a US made product over a Chinese product I will spend the extra money and buy US made product. I have a chip on my shoulder when it comes to China at the moment. 

My rifles are British, German and Swedish, I don’t own anything Chinese, I will get American made for big bore when that comes. My powder burners are all American or Belgium made. Which American company is making a small home sized compressor?

Which American company is making a small home sized compressor?

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None. Shoebox used to make a compressor of sorts but no USA companies make them. The market is there but it’s hard to compete with China. Even a lot of your commercial SCUBA compressors are foreign although NOT Chinese.

Hardly anything is entirely made here. Most likely anything made in the USA will have some foreign parts, or foreign raw materials in it.

About the only thing made here ground up these days are babies. Even then, sometimes the shafts and cogs used in the process can be of foreign nature.

I don’t put too much stock on USA made goods anymore. One example is Taiwan, we’ve farmed out so much in manufacturing to them over the past several decades that the now have the machinery and knowledge to build very well. One could argue better than us. This said, Chinese goods remain at the bottom of my list for several reasons.

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