Air Line Oiler (not the regular questions)

[shooting4life]

I will be installing my air line set up this weekend. I had an idea for a different use for an air line oiler. I use a lot of compressed oil/lubricants that are very expensive compared to various types of oil. I was thinking about using an air line oiler with maybe a 4-8 foot hose and a spray nozzle as a way to spray oil in/on parts. This would be cheaper than buying aerosol cans and would be mounted under my work bench next to a non oiled air line.

My question is how much oil does the oiler actually get into the air, especially if the psi is dropped down to like 40-50 to keep the air compressor from cycling as often?

I know this is more a solution looking for a problem, but I think it would be pretty cool and that is reason enough for me.

 

[A_Pmech]

Rather than using an oiler, I would use a small HVLP touch-up gun.

They work well for spraying preservative oil at low pressures, which increases the transfer efficiency.

 

[rlitman]

Very little. Barely enough to make a visible fog. Probably less deposited on a sheet of glass this way than you get get from touching it with your fingertips.
And because it makes more of a fog than anything, the deposition rate would be awful. You'd be spreading most of the oil in the air.

You want to use an HVLP sprayer. Something with a larger droplet size.

Edit: Looks like A_Pmech hit the post button just before me. He's right on the money.

 

[shooting4life]

I would be using it to lube firearms, both internal parts and externally for rust protection. I would be doing this a few times every day but in limited duration and I would be stopping and starting frequently so I do not think a gun like this would work very well.

 

[A_Pmech]

I would be stopping and starting frequently so I do not think a gun like this would work very well.

HVLP spray guns are designed to start and stop. They work exceedingly well for exactly what you want to do - apply a low viscosity coating with high transfer efficiency.

As Rlitman said, the droplets made by an oiler are much finer than a spray gun. The result is a fog that has a relatively low transfer efficiency when blown against a flat plane.

 

[rlitman]

Sounds like you really want a "sure shot" sprayer then.

Or maybe a cheap airbrush.
They make airbrushes with open tops that you could put a few drops of oil in, and spray away.
You just want to adjust it to get closer to a sputter than a spray (bigger opening, less air pressure) to keep the mist down. And unlike a regular use of an airbrush, you wouldn't have to clean it.

Oh, and A_Pmech, you should be on Jeopardy. You got me again with the post button.

 

[A_Pmech]

Oh, and A_Pmech, you should be on Jeopardy. You got me again with the post button.

Haha!

I'm just in the groove is all.



A Preval sprayer, as you mentioned, might be just the ticket.

 

[shooting4life]

I think the sure shot sprayer might be the ticket, thanks for the help

 

[AndyA]

How much oil do you want to put out? The sure shot might put out too much (spoonfulls per second) versus the airbrush (drops per second). You might solder closed and redrill a smaller hole in the tip on the sure shot to reduce the flow.

I'm voting for the airbrush.