Always use a lubricator for your air tools unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise. I use an INLINE lubricator on a short length of hose with a good swivel to attach to the air tool. I keep it plugged back into itself and hanging by the compressor when not in use. This keeps oil out of my main air hoses if I want to use them for painting, inflating, or blowoff. This also provides better lubrication to the tool since the oil is atomized closer to the tool and does not have a chance to condense out on the side of the hose.

You can buy a special short (~30") high flex hose and swivel assembly for air tools that is perfect for this application. The lubricator I use is made by Amflo, a hexagonal aluminum part about 1-1/4" accross and about 2" long. It has a knurled plug on the side with an o-ring that is used to fill it with oil. There is an oil adjustment but I left it at the factory setting which seems to work fine. I run the lubricator on the end of the hose away from the swivel that has the male coupler. The swivel end of the hose has the female coupler to go to the air tool.


Also use a coalescing filter on your output line at the compressor. They are available at parts houses, Home Depot, Tractor Supply, etc. You don't have to do this if you run an oilless compressor. Then drain all of your hoses and maybe run a little alcohol thru them to clean them out. Then blow them dry. Keep the equipment clean!


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Nice post Torgue1st.
Where do yo find the short length of High pressure hose? I plumbed my garage with copper air lines and am looking for a short 2 or 3 foot piece of flexible to connect the compressor to the hard copper lines and have had no luck locally. Maybe there is a place online? I'd like to find something that is 1/2" inside diameter to match the copper.

 

The type of high flex hose I am talking about for the tool lubricator is a special kind found where they sell pro air tools. It comes with a built in swivel joint.

High pressure line can be purchased by the foot at a GOOD hardware store or at a place like Tractor Supply, Hydraulic supply house, etc. Some auto parts stores will have power steering hose rated for 1500-2000 PSI in bulk. Use barbed fittings and hose clamps to secure the ends of the hose, they should be more than adequate for air service.

The flexible line is a good idea to keep the compressor vibration from transmitting into your hard lines and then into your (house) structure for that nice "resonance". Make sure the flex hose does not touch the wall or anything before it fastens into a well secured line.


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Thanks!

 

You can also have a line built by Hampton Rubber, in Norfolk Virginia.

Toll Free: 1 800 482-4447

But there are bound to be similar businesses in your area.

Personally, I go with a few drops of Marvel Mystery Oil!

Twice a day if it's being steadily used - right into the chuck on the handle. And that's at the end of the day and the beginning....

I have heard ATF can be used instead, but to me that's an act of desperation.

 

I admit, I have used ATF in a pinch...

I normally just buy the air tool oil since it has special solvents etc. in it. The lubricator is easier to remember than reaching for the can to drip in oil and is not as messy. It is also continuous and in the proper "form". The tools seem to remain clean also without any oil mess and run real good! The high flex hose is nice also.

Of course I shake so bad that I have trouble getting the oil can spout in the air chuck hole. -hehe


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