Filter regulator lubricator - what to get?

[Slowbra]

I've read through many posts on this, but I haven't been able to make progress towards finalizing a purchase.

I just installed a Bendpak lift and will be doing average work using air tools. The Bendpak directions say I need a FRL so that's what I am after. I don't want to spend a lot (under $70) and prefer a combo package vs putting separate pieces together.

If what you have fits what I am looking for please let me know what specifically you purchased and if you recommend it. If it works for you I am sure it will work for my average use.

Thanks!

 

[cj7jeep81]

Personally, I wouldn't buy one with a built in lubricator. I prefer to manually oil my air tools. Reason being, if you ever need clean, dry air (painting, sandlblasting, etc), the oil in the lines will ruin it.

 

[Slowbra]

Personally, I wouldn't buy one with a built in lubricator. I prefer to manually oil my air tools. Reason being, if you ever need clean, dry air (painting, sandlblasting, etc), the oil in the lines will ruin it.

The Bendpak manual specifically says a filter, regulator, lubricator is needed or the warranty is void. I don't disagree with you because what you said is exactly what I have done in the past.

I'm going to have two air connections so needing clean air in the future will not be an issue. Thanks for your feedback.

 

[sberry]

Menards has a set, has 1/2 ports for easy plumbing.

 

[Slowbra]

Menards has a set, has 1/2 ports for easy plumbing.

I wish we had a Menards here in NC. My dad was extremely disappointed when he found this out after moving to NC a few years ago. I remember spending a lot of time there as a kid when I lived in IL.

 

[gadgetevilusions]

I sell a good amount of these. http://evilusions.com/store/pneumat...on/stacked-filter-regulator-lubricator-detail

You could also go with a setup from Grainger. Here is a 1/4" one http://m.grainger.com/mobile/product/SPEEDAIRE-Filter-Regulator-Lubricator-4ZM04

What flow rate do you need? I can spec a set up.

 

[Slowbra]

To be honest I don't know what flow rate I need. I don't do a lot of wrenching with high powered air tools.

I am just looking for a quality setup that I won't regret down the road.

 

[larry_g]

I've read through many posts on this, but I haven't been able to make progress towards finalizing a purchase.

I just installed a Bendpak lift and will be doing average work using air tools. The Bendpak directions say I need a FRL so that's what I am after. I don't want to spend a lot (under $70) and prefer a combo package vs putting separate pieces together.

If what you have fits what I am looking for please let me know what specifically you purchased and if you recommend it. If it works for you I am sure it will work for my average use.

Thanks!

I spent a years working in the pneumatic's field but your question needs a bit of clarification for me. What is the air operating on your lift? Is it just for the locks or does it have an air motor on the lift pump? I'm assuming that it is just for the locks and therefore will not have any appreciable flow. You will want a small instrument oilier as anything larger will not have the pressure differential to force air into the line to do the lubrication job.

Here are a few to select from FRL's

Can we assume that you already have a filtered, regulated air system in the shop? If so then you could get away with just having an oiler on the lift itself. Can you link to the manual online so we can look at what your doing? If as I suspect this air is just for the locks then I would not invest in anything fancy for this. I worked with many engineers that would design in a FRL not knowing anything about how they worked and the system requirements. Most never had oil out in them. Some that did have oil never consumed it because the machine was not a constant air flow, as your air locks are, and never reached the pressure differential in the oilier to produce a drop in the air flow.

Also to recap what was said above, DO NOT put an oiler at the output of your compressor, contaminating all your air lines. Put the oiler, if you must, right on the lift just before the actuating valve. Me I would not put in an oiler, I would do it manually every few months.

On edit: If you have a brand name cylinder in there like this one Norgren You will see that they are rated for both lubricated or non-lubricated air.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Slowbra]

Excellent and detailed post! I've answered your questions within the original text below.

I spent a years working in the pneumatic's field but your question needs a bit of clarification for me. What is the air operating on your lift? Is it just for the locks or does it have an air motor on the lift pump? I'm assuming that it is just for the locks and therefore will not have any appreciable flow. You will want a small instrument oilier as anything larger will not have the pressure differential to force air into the line to do the lubrication job.

The air will operate the safety locks, pneumatic jack, and basic air tools.

. Can we assume that you already have a filtered, regulated air system in the shop?

No, I do not have any filtered air. The air is regulated at the compressor. I'm a weekend mechanic and rarely used air tools despite having a compressor. However, I will use it more now that I have a lift.

If so then you could get away with just having an oiler on the lift itself. Can you link to the manual online so we can look at what your doing? If as I suspect this air is just for the locks then I would not invest in anything fancy for this. I worked with many engineers that would design in a FRL not knowing anything about how they worked and the system requirements. Most never had oil out in them. Some that did have oil never consumed it because the machine was not a constant air flow, as your air locks are, and never reached the pressure differential in the oilier to produce a drop in the air flow.

Also to recap what was said above, DO NOT put an oiler at the output of your compressor, contaminating all your air lines. Put the oiler, if you must, right on the lift just before the actuating valve. Me I would not put in an oiler, I would do it manually every few months.

My current plan, after research and feedback from others on here, is to install a filter and regulator on the lift. I will simply plug in the air hose from the compressor to the lift manually when I need to use air (I don't want to run the air line permanently at this time). I'll take the output from the filter/regulator and hard line it to the safety locks and pneumatic jack (will be combo of hard and soft line). I'll also leave a connection to plug in any air tools I want to use.

Like you and others have suggested... I'll leave the oiler out of the picture and do it manually when/where needed.

My lift is a Bandpak HD-9XW. Here is a link to the manual: http://www.bendpak.com/HD-9 VER E Manual 5900123 rev F 10-1-13.pdf

Thanks!
Shawn

 

[larry_g]

OK then. With the single acting cylinders on the locks the oil from the oilier will not reach the cylinders. It takes a good flow to maintain atomized oil entrained in the air. Not going to happen on a dead end line that back flows every cycle. The air jack may be a different story.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Slowbra]

I ended up getting a Parker Filter Regulator. It's a one piece design with a metal bowl and should last a long time.