Controls for compressed air question
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 892
Likes: 85
From: Western Massachusetts
Controls for compressed air question
My first time in this forum. I usually can be found in the "old truck" section of FTE. My project truck is a 54 F100. What a great resource! I am setting up a compressed air system in my home garage. The compressor is in the basement and will be piped up to the garage with 3/4" black pipe to two work stations. I want to set up to easily adapt controls at either station including pressure regulator, filter and dryer. I have looked at the Granger catalog. There are many options. What connection sizes should I get? Is bigger better? Should I go for the "ganged together" stuff or separate controls. I'm thinking the regulator /filter combo is a start and then add the dryer for painting as needed. Torque1st, where did you get that inline oiler on the short flex hose?
Thank you.
Bob
Thank you.
Bob
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
Tool oilers should be mounted near the tools, because you don't want oil in your black pipe as that will make painting miserable at best.
Dryers, regulators, and filters should be between the black pipe and the tank.
Make sure you install a water purge valve on the bottom of the tank.
All my paint guns have regulators on the guns themselves (I added them) and a swivel quick connect fitting. THis way I can keep the air system at max pressure for air tools and the paint guns can operate at a lower, regulated pressure.
As long as the regulator, filter and dryer have the same, or one size larger inlets/outlets as compared to the tank/compressor outlet, you're good. No reason to spend and go significantly oversized, but undersized will limit the flow of your system.
Dryers, regulators, and filters should be between the black pipe and the tank.
Make sure you install a water purge valve on the bottom of the tank.
All my paint guns have regulators on the guns themselves (I added them) and a swivel quick connect fitting. THis way I can keep the air system at max pressure for air tools and the paint guns can operate at a lower, regulated pressure.
As long as the regulator, filter and dryer have the same, or one size larger inlets/outlets as compared to the tank/compressor outlet, you're good. No reason to spend and go significantly oversized, but undersized will limit the flow of your system.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Don't know if will be of any help but came across this diag. while shopping for compressor accessories.
http://www.tptools.com/StaticText/ai...ng-diagram.pdf
dave
http://www.tptools.com/StaticText/ai...ng-diagram.pdf
dave
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
I bought the inline lubricator and the hose at Home Depot of all places. McMaster-Carr carries them, links don't work but you can find in-line lubricators under "pneumatic lubricators".
http://www.mcmaster.com/
You should also find them at professional tool stores. If I remember right I have even seen them at Harbor Freight.
The factory setting in the lubricator is perfect for air tool oil. Air tool oil is available wherever air tools are sold. Air tool oil has solvents and lubricants in it to keep your air tools clean and running well.
Those FRL or Filter Regulator Lubricator setups are for industrial machines. Don't use them for a home shop. All I have is a coalescing filter on the output from my compressor tank. Regulators waste energy so only use them where you have to.
That diagram is a good one. Keeping the water moving in the direction of air flow is good. Some diagrams show the opposite. The pipes all slope towards the compressor which IMHO is wrong.
Use regular paste type pipe dope for your threaded connections. Do not use Teflon tape.
http://www.mcmaster.com/
You should also find them at professional tool stores. If I remember right I have even seen them at Harbor Freight.
The factory setting in the lubricator is perfect for air tool oil. Air tool oil is available wherever air tools are sold. Air tool oil has solvents and lubricants in it to keep your air tools clean and running well.
Those FRL or Filter Regulator Lubricator setups are for industrial machines. Don't use them for a home shop. All I have is a coalescing filter on the output from my compressor tank. Regulators waste energy so only use them where you have to.
That diagram is a good one. Keeping the water moving in the direction of air flow is good. Some diagrams show the opposite. The pipes all slope towards the compressor which IMHO is wrong.
Use regular paste type pipe dope for your threaded connections. Do not use Teflon tape.
Last edited by Torque1st; Jun 10, 2007 at 11:17 PM.
