Bicycle Mechanics - Rigging a generic CO2 cartridge

Due to the recession, I've been forced to purchase some generic (Crosman) 12g CO2 cartridges to use in my Ultraflate. I just noticed that they are actually a bit shorter than the Innovations. Thinking of rigging my pump with duct tape, old gum, a coin, or whatever to make up for the height disparity.

Any thoughts?

I think you should spend the $100 and have a machinist mill you the perfect spacer out of heat treated aluminum.
But seriously, just drop something in there that'll bring it up to height. A bicycle part preferably. How much difference is there?

You've noticed that they are indeed a bit shorter but have you actually tried to use the Crosman CO2? Many pumps will still pierce the cart even though it is a bit shorter. If you can't get it working shove a hunk of something to take up the space.

I've always used 12 gm Crossman or Daisy CO2 cartridges in my Superflate with no problems.

I've always used 12 gm Crossman or Daisy CO2 cartridges in my Superflate with no problems.

+1

WaltMart all the way! Plus, they work durn good in pellet guns.

i use the bb gun ones.

work just fine.

and since they're so cheap, so what if one farts all over my hand?

Rubber washer from the fastener drawers at the hardware store, cut to size.

I don't have an Ultraflate to check but pennies are good as spacers sometimes, otherwise they are fairly worthless...

Had that problem, drop in a penny, nickel, or a dime.

Due to the recession, I've been forced to purchase some generic (Crosman) 12g CO2 cartridges to use in my Ultraflate. I just noticed that they are actually a bit shorter than the Innovations. Thinking of rigging my pump with duct tape, old gum, a coin, or whatever to make up for the height disparity.

use a stack of coins, maybe epoxied together?

you could also get that steel/epoxy putty stuff, and knead up a small ball, and shape it to make a spacer, you can even sand and file that stuff once hardened to refine the shape.

there is a small amount of oil (not sure what kind) in most generic co2 cartridges, I'm not sure thats a problem, just wanted to make you aware of it.

Thanks for all the advice. The generic tube is about half a cm shorter, but too short to puncture. I wedged some duct tape in the bottom - not elegant - but it worked. The downside is that it covers up the hole in the bottom that lets you store the cartridges upside down.

I say you need to get a rubber washer, as suggested above. Get one with a big enough hole in it so that once it is inserted in your inflator, the CO2 cartridge can still be stored in it.

I actually meant a rubber *stopper*. But now that I think about it, a washer is probably better.

use a stack of coins, maybe epoxied together?

Remember, due to the recession, he has no spare coins.

Remember, due to the recession, he has no spare coins.

exactly, not only does this take money, it takes expensive epoxy and renders the money useless. triple whammy.

I recommend having a machinist shorten the Ultraflate.

Rubber washer from the fastener drawers at the hardware store, cut to size.

Piece of cardboard from the package.


I recommend having a machinist shorten the Ultraflate.

But when the recession ends, then he'd have to have it remachined.

Pennies are much cheaper than washers either steel or rubber. They can be formed into interesting shapes or drilled easily. Pennies are more durable than cardboard. They are way cheaper than a machinist. Pennies can be found on the ground and under couches and seats all over the place. If they are undamaged they can be returned to their original semblance of value.

Use a bloody penny, one penny is enough.

Cut a length of rubber heater hose of the proper diameter. Beg at the local friendly autoparts store. Explain the recessionary hardship and your sub-prime woes. The parts guy will sympathize.

Technically, defacing US currency is against the law, though I'll still use a penny to take off my ISIS cranks!

United States Code
TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I - CRIMES
CHAPTER 17 - COINS AND CURRENCY
§ 333. Mutilation of national bank obligations

“Whoever mutilates, cuts, defaces, disfigures, or perforates, or
unites or cements together, or does any other thing to any bank bill,
draft, note, or other evidence of debt issued by any national banking
association, or Federal Reserve bank, or the Federal Reserve System,
with intent to render such bank bill, draft, note, or other evidence
of debt unfit to be reissued, shall be fined under this title or
imprisoned not more than six months, or both.”

I think you should laminate a stack of Benjamins, then punch a penny-sized hole out of the middle for your spacer.

I'm tinking we need to go with custom ultra light carbon fiber.

Technically, defacing US currency is against the law, though I'll still use a penny to take off my ISIS cranks!

United States Code
TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I - CRIMES
CHAPTER 17 - COINS AND CURRENCY
§ 333. Mutilation of national bank obligations

“Whoever mutilates, cuts, defaces, disfigures, or perforates, or
unites or cements together, or does any other thing to any bank bill,
draft, note, or other evidence of debt issued by any national banking
association, or Federal Reserve bank, or the Federal Reserve System,
with intent to render such bank bill, draft, note, or other evidence
of debt unfit to be reissued, shall be fined under this title or
imprisoned not more than six months, or both.”
A bloomin' penny ain't worth the snot it takes to stick two together. The bloody feds can go straight to hell...

the copper inside a penny is worth more than $0.01

Only the old pennies, mostly removed from circulation. The pennies since ~1980 are plated zinc.

Capwater's right. You have strength:weight to consider.