Advice on filter/regulator??

[GzrGlide]

I used the search and couldn't find a clear answer. So I'm here to ask the experts....

I know this is long winded, but I'd rather give you too much info than not enough.

I got my compressor running ( oh baby why did I wait so long? ) and now want to add a filter and regulator.

My question is about brands and sizes for the filter and regulator.

I can get a....
- Milton set-up ( with 1/2" NPT fittings, models 1115-8 https://www.miltonindustries.com/uploads/Page_56.pdf & 1020-8 https://www.miltonindustries.com/uploads/Page_55.pdf ) which is by far the most expensive,

- I can also get a Norgren combination set ( with 3/8 NPT fittings, Excelon Pro series )

- And could also obviously get the Central Pneumatic "Professional" brand from Harbour Freight / Princess Auto ( with 1/2 NPT, http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40312 ).

Question 1:
I could buy the Milton units, but are they really that much better than the other two? Given that I'll just be using the compressor occassionaly to work on our jeep and my bike, will the Harbour Freight version be just as "good" as the others? Or should I go with the mid $$ Norgren unit and call it done?

Question 2:
How big of a deal / difference will a 3/8" vs 1/2" fitting make for what I'm doing with the compressor?

The compressor is in our 20 x 22' garage and will be plumbed to service a hose reel about 10 feet away and another one about 20 fet away. Air plumbing will be done using either copper or black pipe.

Thanks for your help folks.

 

[tdkkart]

Have you looked at McMaster-Carr?? They deal in Wilkerson stuff, which we use a TON of at work, very reliable and good quality. Price doesn't look too bad either:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/115/958/=2sfjm3

 

[OccupantRJ]

Do you have any industrial salvage yards near you? They have tons of good quality stuff like that, usually very reasonable, and it is usually good quality. I like Wilkerson and ARO brands.
As examples, I bought 2 Thermal Dynamics plasma cutters from a materials yard here for $40, and they both work. A lot of yards are just interested in not having labor in some things to make money from them. It's a case of sell the unit for cheap, or spend hours getting copper and such out of the device. They don't care if the FRL (filter, regulator, lubricator) is what it is, they just want $10 in their pocket.
I also bought a 40 foot semi trailer from one for $700. It had been floored with steel plate all the way, with 4 feet of steel sheet along the walls as protection from forklifts. It had fairly new recap tires, and was wired for lights and a receptacle using conduit, with a pigtail hookup.
Just got a Roper Whitney remote hydraulic punch and hydraulic pod for $150, a week ago.
Shop those industrial salvage yards, guys! With the economy like it is, more and more manufacturers are folding, and most of that stuff ends up where? You guessed it...



RJ

 

[Art From De Leon]

On the Wilkerson and McMaster Carr

The only problem is that they are modular, and there may be a small air leak between the modules.

 

[Torque1st]

Why do you feel you need a filter and regulator?

 

[sberry]

The HF ones work fine, 3/8 is plenty for a small shop. Menards has a kit for about 50$ or less and all 1/2 so it makes plumbing easy. That is the last one I bought. It came with oiler which I tossed. I like the hose reel from Wal-Mart, great price and easy to mount.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

On the Wilkerson and McMaster Carr

The only problem is that they are modular, and there may be a small air leak between the modules.

While indeed modular so that you can use the special block/mounting bracket, with o-rings between the units, they are also pipe threaded in those same ports, and can be connected with pipe *******.

Do not use an oiler, it will contaminate all of your hoses and pipes, and if you decide to spray paint something, the pipe and hose contamination will ruin the paint job. Oilers are intended to be attached to specific pieces of equipment or at workbenches where assembly air tools are hanging from a reel, stuff like that.

Charles

 

[Art From De Leon]

While indeed modular so that you can use the special block/mounting bracket, with o-rings between the units, they are also pipe threaded in those same ports, and can be connected with pipe *******.

Do not use an oiler, it will contaminate all of your hoses and pipes, and if you decide to spray paint something, the pipe and hose contamination will ruin the paint job. Oilers are intended to be attached to specific pieces of equipment or at workbenches where assembly air tools are hanging from a reel, stuff like that.

Charles

I learned something today, Thank You.

What you say now makes sense, because the incoming and outgoing piping had to be threaded into them.

 

[Ramblur]

On the Wilkerson and McMaster Carr

The only problem is that they are modular, and there may be a small air leak between the modules.

+2 on the McMaster Carr! Although overkill for your needs(and mine too,
for that matter) I use a 3/4" filter/regulator to run my whole system.With
flow rates way in excess of what I use it works well. Even with Norgren
filter and Wilkerson regulator the pipe ****** used to join them has NO leak
issues. The dial-set regulator http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/115/956/=2sj2el
makes adjusting pressure a snap and is self relieving. I realize the dial-set
regulator isn't the cheapest way out but I'm hopelessly spoiled by not
having to twist and twist to change pressures.

 

[lilredex]

I started out with a Fisher Controls 1/4" model 67FR filter regulator and found it too small, especially for painting. I then moved on to a Fisher 1/2" type 64 regulator and have never looked back. No filter, just a regulator. Guess I'm a bit biased here.........I used to work for Fisher and got them free (they were returns). You have a Fisher rep in WPG, go in the back door and see what happens, they always have "junk" that cannot be sold as new.

http://www.yellowpages.ca/bus/Manit...ems+&+Regulators&where=Winnipeg&le=549069875c

http://www.fisherregulators.com/products/literature/64/

 

[GzrGlide]

Very cool lilredex. Thanks.