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Condensate drain cleaner modification

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bonneyman:
OK, you guys saw the cute little blow out tool from my weekend pawnie haul. I've known about them for some time, but thought it was kinda gimmicky - like the CO2 cartridge would last one use or something. So I never bought one. Since I found it in a bin of old stuff - and the hose and rubber tip was nearby - I figured what the heck. Give it a try. So I grabbed it.

The sealing ring was worn and distorted, so I went to my big Ace Hardware store to see if I could find one that would work. they have selections of both inch and metric O-rings (surprising, I know!), so the chances were good I'd find one that would fit. A 13/16" one was close, but will need some slight whittling down to be right.

While there I asked if they had some CO2 cartridges like those that run pellet pistols. They did, took one out of the box, and it won't work. Seems like the drain gun uses carts with a threaded head. "Oh, I think we carry those!" And they did - $30 per box of 10, sorry, no individual sales. Well, if the thing works I'd invest the $30, but for testing purposes I didn't want to go all in. So I decided - the MacGyver juices flowing - could I adapt regular CO2 carts to work in the thing? Those are $7 for 5. Right there I figured this might make a neat tutorial. If it works.

So follow along, and I'll see what I can do. I probably won't be able to do this quick. The schedule is a bit messed up. But I'll see what I can do.

Here's the gun and hose assembly that I'm starting with.

goodfellow:
Pretty good idea for a project BM -- lookin' forward to the mods

bonneyman:
OK, here's the pieces and the details of the working surfaces.
Also the existing O-ring that's almost squared on two edges. I think this is what happened to make the tech ditch the tool. the OEM ring started to leak, and either the replacement was NLA (and they want you to buy a whole new tool) or the cost was outrageous. He bought a regular O-ring, and it doesn't work. My replacement is doing the same distortion thing, so, I'm figuring the OEM ring has some minute differences to prevent someone from doing what I'm attempting.

bonneyman:
Here's the details of the internals of the head. The OEM carts are threaded, so you install one and as you tighten it the piercing point in there opens the cart and allows for use.
While in the store I tried various bolts to see if it was a standard thread or not. It is - a 3/8 x 24 NF. Thinking of taking a 3/8" fine bolt, drilling out a hole just big enough to snug on a standard CO2 cart, and use it as an adaptor. My tightening the base body to the head will act to pierce the cart seal - if it's not too hard a steel. At least that's my thought at this point.

bonneyman:
As luck would have it I parked next to a used CO2 cart that someone had tossed in the parking lot. So I snagged it. Needed one for testing my NF thread collar, and I like free! ;D

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