Homemade Dropout CO2 Changer

[Marbo40k]

So I had some time in the garage the other day and figured it was about time to work on another paintball related project.
I have been wanting a few more spare 12 gram changers and being too cheap to and too lazy to order some, I figured I would take a stab at making one from stuff I had laying around.

Its pretty crude and will be getting some clean up work but maybe it will give some of you guys some inspiration.

I had some 3/4 IDx1" OD aluminum tubing left over from various projects that I used for the body.


For the ASA portion, i decided to use an old CO2 tank valve from my pile of long dead tanks.
The stem of the tank valve was obviously too small to fit nicely in the 3/4 ID of the tubing so i sanded down and press fit a bronze bushing in the tube to receive it.


The puncture pin was made from 2 steel set screws. A 3/8x28 (same as the original internal thread of the valve) and a 10-32.
I drilled and tapped the 3/8" set screw and threaded the 10-32 screw into it. Then drilled all the way through the 10-32.
I chucked them in a drill and ghetto turned it down to a point with a file.


For the other end of the changer, I filed down the corners on a nut i had and press fit it very tightly into the base of the changer body.
I didn't take any photos of actually cutting the drop out port but its pretty self explanatory. Just took a while with an assortment of files and sand paper.




A quick test fit to verify that everything works as it should.
You will notice the holes at the base of the valve - They are for set screws that go all the way through the tube body, the bushing, and the valve stem. I tapped them all the way through for set screws which were thread sealed in place.
This way the screws hold the tank valve to the body and they also work to seal the the vent slots in the original valve body.



A shot of the quick and dirty face seal made from a piece of hotglue stick. Looks ugly but I have used this method in the past for 12g seals with good results.



And shown attached to a spyder for testing.
I still need to make an actual knob for it instead of the obnoxiously large bolt but that is for another day. It works well enough for testing guns and plinking in the back yard.




All in all it took about 3 hours to make and its a good way to use up some old dead tank valves and random junk in the tool boxes.
Not the lightest, or prettiest but i hope it gives some of you some ideas.


Thanks for looking!

[JeepDVLZ45]

Nice work, I like it

You should keep the bolt long and add a T or L to the end. Make it a drop out stock. You can use the end for leverage to puncture or drop out. A little cumbersome, but unique as hell.

[Carp]

Thread it for a ball attachment and then add a tennis ball over that. 👍

[Marbo40k]

Thanks guys.

I like the stock idea actually. After some playing around with it, I think that is what I will do. Probably go with the ball attachment idea like Carp said. That would be the most alignment friendly option.

[Carp]

Thanks guys.

I like the stock idea actually. After some playing around with it, I think that is what I will do. Probably go with the ball attachment idea like Carp said. That would be the most alignment friendly option.

I was thinking of something like this but, larger and probably not brass...on a stick with a tennis ball cover.I

[Chuck E Ducky]

That’s cool! I like the stock idea the brass ball on the back might actually balance out well.

[CheapChi]

Tell me about this hot glue stick face seal.

[Marbo40k]

Tell me about this hot glue stick face seal.

Sure thing. Its just a thin slice of a hotglue stick. I typically use the harder high temp glue instead of the lower temp craft type stuff.
Just cut a thin even slice with a sharp razor blade and punch or drill a hole in the middle. Pop it in place like you would a 12gram seal.

Its not as durable as a urethane seal but they get the job done in a pinch. I have had one in my phantom for several years now though and it still holds air just fine.

[Marbo40k]

I was thinking of something like this but, larger and probably not brass...on a stick with a tennis ball cover.I

Yeah something like that would be perfect! I may have to hit up Napa or Autozone tomorrow and see what they have for a cheapo basic, round shifter knob... ill update the post when i find something.

[Carp]

Yeah something like that would be perfect! I may have to hit up Napa or Autozone tomorrow and see what they have for a cheapo basic, round shifter knob... ill update the post when i find something.

🤦♂️...duh! Shifter knob...that's brilliant! Hmmm..drill n' tap a pool ball?

[netsurferdude2]

If you are looking something inexpensive and light, check out the globes they put on brass headboards. Something like this: https://www.etsy.com/listing/6103787...ed-ball-finial

There are a lot of brass extrusions and architectural out there that can be had for low prices.

[Flounder]

Here is another option for the “ball end”.

https://billetworkz.com/collections/shift-knobs

They use the same anodizer I use for my projects.

[Brokeass_baller]

Because of your use of quotation marks, I was really expecting a joke about testicles. I'm a little disappointed.

[Flounder]

I thought that was better than knob end