Air Compressor Setup

[Kevs02Accord]

Did some searching around and came up with some good info about physically setting up my air compressor, pipe to run, how much, having a drop, etc... Just looking to clear some things up. Right now the compressor has a Sharpe F44 filter attached to the tank, then the quick connect from that, no regulator. I know I will need a regulator and a new filter as the company doesn't make parts for that model any more. I am going to be using the compressor for mostly air tools, impact, grinder, ratchet. I will occasionally be blasting and maybe painting.

I live in Dayton, Ohio, so for most of the year the humidity isn't too bad, just the summer months. I was thinking I need a water trap regular and air filter, in that order. Am I missing anything thing? I looked but didn't see a 3n1 unit, so I am guessing I need 3 separate pieces.

I did see mention of having another filter near the line that would feed my blaster / paint, but wasn't sure if it was a water trap or air filter.

 

[mindedc]

I'm not familiar with "water traps" unless you are referring to a section of pipe that drops below the filter with a drain valve.... If you are, great, because you will have water regardless of the humidity level. The regulator goes after the filter so you don't get crud in your regulator.

Most people put an extra filter in front of the blast cabinet to keep oil, water, and rust out of the blasting media.

For all your air tools, filter and regulator is enough. Water traps are a bonus. I had an air oiler in my setup before, I found it ineffective. I think if you had a lathe or something that needed it they would work well for that, just no good for nail guns and impacts... I just put a few drops of oil in my air tools when I use them now.

For painting it depends on how much you do. You need absolutely zero water/oil/crud in your air. I've had my compressor set up two different times. At the old house I painted with one of those in-line silica gel dryers. They last a limited amount of time and I really don't think they do a perfect job. I was mostly spraying non-critical things. I replaced the in-line deal with a fancier unit from Campbell Hausfield that has a normal 3/8 sized very fine filter and then a silica gel dryer after that. Both of those units are about the size of a 3/8 filter. The biggest issue with these was how long I could paint before all the dessicant turned color and I couldn't paint any more. You have to either buy new dessicant or bake it in the oven all night to get it ready to use again.

In the new house I have a second branch after my main ****/oil filter from the tank that goes to some large silica gel dryers (5lbs of dessicant I think - came from harbor freight) and then I go into a normal filter to block anything large that flakes off the silica and then the Campbell Hausfield super fine filter (.1 micron? can't remember) and then into a regulator.

I've put about 10 coats of string insturment lacquer on with the new set up and it's the best quality air I've ever painted with. I'm pretty sure you could breathe it (although I'm not going to). Now if I could only get the hang of my new HVLP gun I would be happy....

The moral of my story here is a good filter and a good dryer set up are important for paint. I'm sure there are people that get away without a dryer, but I don't want to take chances on anything I'm doing at a finish stage... Current project I"m working on I have almost a year invested in...

 

[doojus]

There are a bunch of 3 in 1 units.

I have this one which works pretty well for me:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M9ULPDA/?tag=atomicindus08-20


This one looks good too:

http://www.tptools.com/Filter-Regulator-System,7445.html?b=d*8088


I think for everything except painting either of those would be all you need, for painting you'll probably want a desiccant trap right before the spray gun.

 

[Kevs02Accord]

Wow, quick replies, thanks guys. I guess I wasn't looking for the right things, I was thinking a water trap was like a water only filter, but that seems like what a normal filter does, catches the water and filters the air.

Those both seem pretty reasonable, I could start with those and then see if I have problems and add more filters later.

Does anyone have experience with either of these filters, or others in this price range? I did see a Devilbiss but it was 800.

 

[doojus]

Does anyone have experience with either of these filters, or others in this price range? I did see a Devilbiss but it was 800.

I have the first one I linked. I actually have two different units from Pneumaticplus, they've both been great. Not too much I can say about it other than it does its job.

 

[joe_padavano]

TP Tools is unfortunately at the other end of the state from you, but they have a wide variety of filters, regulators, and other air compressor accessories. You'll hurt yourself in their showroom. It might be worth a drive when they have their big sales. I got a major discount off their catalog sale prices last December.

 

[99ishvr4]

This article might be helpful for moisture removal in your system. http://www.powdercoatguide.com/2014/06/how-to-dry-compressed.html#.VXRQ61I72KU

 

[Kevs02Accord]

Wow, cant believe its been this long. Really haven't made a lot of progress, too many other projects keep popping up. I decided I didn't like running back and forth when I was testing the air compressor so I decided to upgrade the pressure switch and magnetic starter.

Pressure switch
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301728023329?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Starter
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271963046171?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I thought the starter came with an on / off switch but it doesn't, it just has a reset switch. I think the next piece I need is a fused disconnect but I wasn't sure 100%. I also thought I would probably need one rated for 60 amps and 240 volts since the unit is 5hp. Any suggestions? Will any 60 a, 240 volt disconnect work, I have seen some pretty cheap ones for a/c units?