Compressed carbon dioxide has long provided the get-up-and-go in guns that fire pellets and paintballs. Now it can power nail guns, too. A new product, called the JacPac, lets you drive nails and brads without an air compressor or fuel cell. The power comes from a lightweight canister that hooks on your belt. The canister is filled with CO2 compressed to about 825 psi.

JacPac says a single 9-oz. cylinder of CO2 has enough power to drive nearly 700 1-in.-long brads. I didn’t do a test to check that number, but I did fire at least 250 1-in. brads and the canister still had plenty of pressure. According to the manufacturer, it can power any standard pneumatic tool, and that includes nail guns that fire brads, finish nails, and framing nails.

The 9-oz. cylinder, regulator, and hose weigh less than 4 lb. Expect to pay about $3 to refill the canister at most paintball or sporting-goods stores. The JacPac retails for $90. For more information, go to www.jacpacco2.com  or call 800-567-0864.

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