Air Compressor cooler/dryer/filter setup for small home shop?

[Stinkysquishy]

I just picked up an IR 5hp 60gal compressor and am in the process of designing a cooling/drying system for it pre filter/seperator. I initially wanted to purchase a complete kit like the QLK32 from Pnuematics Plus prior to the filter setup, but the $400 shipped cost has me wondering if there's a better option for less $ that I could purchase and set up from a big box store or online retailer.

I don't know if I trust myself with solder for a copper piping option, do they make push to connect fittings?

TIA

 

[GeoBruin]

I just picked up an IR 5hp 60gal compressor and am in the process of designing a cooling/drying system for it pre filter/seperator. I initially wanted to purchase a complete kit like the QLK32 from Pnuematics Plus prior to the filter setup, but the $400 shipped cost has me wondering if there's a better option for less $ that I could purchase and set up from a big box store or online retailer.

I don't know if I trust myself with solder for a copper piping option, do they make push to connect fittings?

TIA

You're going to get a lot of responses here including copper (they'll tell you sweating copper is easy), black iron pipe (they'll tell you it's cheap and readily available), Pex (they'll say it can handle the pressure even though it's not rated for it) and of course the various flavors of pex-al-pex and aluminum piping systems that are easy to install and designed for the application but are, as you have found, expensive.

It's really about your particular skill set, desired end result, and budget.

I have the Northern Tool rebranded version of Rapid Air's "maxline" but I'm not sure if they have an equivalent to the fast pipe product like you have linked. I was actually not cheaping out, I just preferred the gray to the bright blue.

Anyway, there are lots of threads on this so use the search function and read all you can. Good luck.

 

[Stinkysquishy]

Thank you, and yes the interweb brings out all manner of options. I've even seen PVC tossed about (scary). The PP kit might be the easiest "plug and play" option despite the cost. If it works and lasts, I'll soon forget the cost.

I hadn't thought of Northern Tool as a source option for the remainder of the system. I saw HD had a version but it's Dewalt yellow and I like the grey version you spoke of better.

 

[KwikFab]

Add a refrigerated air dryer as part of your setup, it'll help a ton.



It's what I'm running since I too have a really small home shop and can't run copper tubing as I wanted.

 

[Steve_P]

Add a refrigerated air dryer as part of your setup, it'll help a ton.



It's what I'm running since I too have a really small home shop and can't run copper tubing as I wanted.

A refrigerated dryer isn't always necessary- I don't have one, live in a humid area, and have done plenty of blasting and painting with no issues- but have a well designed air system, dead leg drops, and filters. Sure, "add one" is the answer here. But does he need it? He never mentioned painting. He may live in the AZ desert and only needs to use an impact once a month. A refrigerated dryer might cost half as much as he paid for his compressor, so maybe we should first say, "do you really need a refrigerated dryer? What are you trying to do?"

 

[KwikFab]

A refrigerated dryer isn't always necessary- I don't have one, live in a humid area, and have done plenty of blasting and painting with no issues- but have a well designed air system, dead leg drops, and filters. Sure, "add one" is the answer here. But does he need it? He never mentioned painting. He may live in the AZ desert and only needs to use an impact once a month. A refrigerated dryer might cost half as much as he paid for his compressor, so maybe we should first say, "do you really need a refrigerated dryer? What are you trying to do?"

While you make good points, there's no such thing as air that's "too dry".

I live in a dry climate, central CA to be exact, and even I find there to be moisture in my air with filtering (sans the air dryer).

Author mentioned the use of copper (but hesitates based on a lack of how-to) and last I checked, copper lines can get costly as well. I know guys that have spent an easy $500+ on just copper tubing with a few drops.

Add to that a "small home shop" and my suggestion begins to make more sense.

 

[LopezBart]

A transmission cooler works well w/ a fan:

Dry Shop Air - Step 1 (Compressor After-Cooler)

We should be getting our CNC plasma table in September so we're getting the shop ready. Plasma cutters like clean, dry air and compressors like to make water. After about a zillion YouTube videos we had our shopping list. For those unfamiliar I'll describe, maybe oversimplify, the water...

www.hobby-machinist.com

 

[American Locomotive]

If you're talking about putting a cooler between the compressor pump and tank, I really only recommend threaded steel pipes and fittings or flared/compression coupled copper,

Compressor discharge temperatures can hit 300 degrees, which rules out basically all plastics, most rubbers and makes me weary about soldered connections.

There are some types of hydraulic hoses rated for those temperatures.

 

[Stinkysquishy]

A chiller would be overkill for my needs. I talked at length with Pneumatics Plus about my area and use before purchasing. If anything, I could use a dessicant unit prior to the gun if I decide I need something more to paint, which in my shop would be limited to woodworking applications, vintage woodworking machinery and the (very) occasional resto mod style auto paint.

 

[MichaelP]

Here is my approach to this. It's working flawlessly for the last 15 years in a quite humid area. If I ever need to do it again, I'd choose the same route.

The only two things I added later was an automatic tank drain and motorized valve that opens and closes the air tank outlet to prevent any possible air leaks in the piping when I don't use the system for an extended length of time.

Setting up air dryer/filters

I am going to be setting up my 15 CFM 175 PSI two stage rolair compressor and trying to get the details of the plumbing worked out. I am going to get a desiccant dryer from HF this week to see how that works. This one http://www.harborfreight.com/desiccant-air-dryer-97686.html for 32 bucks...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[SouthernIllinois]

I live in Central/Southern Illinois - it's humid
I did the up/down thing with black pipe and MotorGuard filters.
For plumbing I used TransAir rigid aluminum pipe (sold locally and delivered for free)

FWIW, in a former life I worked in a high-end bodyshop well before these electric powered dryers came out. The shop did a lot of expensive custom and insurance work with nothing more than Sharpe filter/regulators.