Air Pressure For Tools

[OverkillYJ]

Hello everyone. First post, but I figured I should join this forum to learn more about garages. I just bought a garage. It came with a full air setup and vehicle lift. I noticed the compressor is set to about 150psi. I know tools like my Craftsman impact gun has a recommended psi of about 90. I know I could install regulators at all of the hookups, but I really dont want to do that. Am I going to damage my air tools running them at this PSI? I would lower it, but I am thinking it is set to this pressure for the lift. The lift does go up at lower pressure, but it is very slow. As for the compressor itself, it should keep up with whatever I do since it is a 2 stage with an 80 gallon tank.

 

[JJThrasher]

You could shorten the tool's life by running too high of pressure. Many techs just run shop pressure to their tools though which is typically 125-200 so I wouldn't worry too much. You could put a tee and a regulator in. Regulate the tool air and put full pressure to the lift.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[redwrench60]

Set the air pressure to 90 PSI at the tool under full throttle free speed.

To set it to 90 PSI with the tool at rest would result in a low pressure condition under use due to the pressure drop when air flows through the lines, hoses and fittings.

 

[OverkillYJ]

Set the air pressure to 90 PSI at the tool under full throttle free speed.

To set it to 90 PSI with the tool at rest would result in a low pressure condition under use due to the pressure drop when air flows through the lines, hoses and fittings.

Wow, that is good to know. I always thought it was the pressure in the tank. I will get an in line gauge to measure the pressure and see what I get. Thanks

 

[4x4gearhead]

I am one of the people that fall into the "90 psi? that's for squares!" group. I have gotten years out of my tools still, I also am really good with oiling my air tools. Some would probably say I over oil them but in any case we run like 175 psi or so with no regulator to cut it down.

 

[gsmornot]

Fine until you use the connection with air nailers. I have a few that will put the nail out the back side with too much pressure. If it were not for that, I would remove the regulator and run everything wide open.

 

[OverkillYJ]

Fine until you use the connection with air nailers. I have a few that will put the nail out the back side with too much pressure. If it were not for that, I would remove the regulator and run everything wide open.

Yeah I have def seen nails go strait through many things and always use regulators for those. I was more curious if I was going to damage things like air ratchets and impact guns. Especially pushing that pressure when I come across things that are rust welded together. I buy craftsman so I can replace for free, but I still try to take care of things.

 

[redwrench60]

In the real world nobody really worries about it. At work the pressure sits at about 165 or so PSI at rest. But if you run a tool at free speed it drops to 85-100 PSI at the tool inlet depending on where you're at in the shop. It takes a hell of a setup to hurt an air tool with excess pressure and flow.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Fine until you use the connection with air nailers. I have a few that will put the nail out the back side with too much pressure. If it were not for that, I would remove the regulator and run everything wide open.

That's one of the few tools that does indeed use the air pressure to determine nail drive depth based upon nail size. Thus, if on a non-reugulated system, you need a dial-down whip for it to regulate it. BTDT. Same to be said for HVLP spray guns and painting devices.

Two rotary compressors power the mfg. floor here.
150 psi at the drop downs.
No tool problems with the exception of cheap air saws. They just don't seem to like the psi.
Watch out at 150 psi though. The couplers can hurt ya if uncoupling and gone flying and we had a shop leader have a hose rupture with no tool attatched and the coupler and hose jumped up and hit him dead square in the nuts .
Ouch.
Really, it was double ouch.
We use 1/2" high quality hoses and even then it can get dangerous at those psi's.

For home I run 110psi or so.

Good air tools can take it. Bad ones--not so much.

 

[Super Sport]

Yeah I have def seen nails go strait through many things and always use regulators for those. I was more curious if I was going to damage things like air ratchets and impact guns. Especially pushing that pressure when I come across things that are rust welded together. I buy craftsman so I can replace for free, but I still try to take care of things.

Just fyi...Craftsman air tools do not have the forever warranty. It's only on hand tools...

 

[ilovevocs]

Another vote for line pressure. I don't use a regulator for anything but my spray gun.

 

[RV77]

I am one of the people that fall into the "90 psi? that's for squares!" group. I have gotten years out of my tools still, I also am really good with oiling my air tools. Some would probably say I over oil them but in any case we run like 175 psi or so with no regulator to cut it down.

X2................

 

[Farmall450]

Our compressor is @ 175, but has filters & reg that knock it down to 100 for tools...

Only use 175 for blowing stuff off...

 

[Jamie V]

I've been running my tools for years at 165 psi (except nail guns, sprayers, etc that you can't) and not one has broke yet. The impact gun gets the best benifit from it.

 

[blacK20]

I run all my automotive air tools at full unregulated pressure. Never once had a failure due to excessive pressure going in the tool.

 

[PETE14]

I would be extreemly careful about using die grinders with cut off wheels. You don't want to run them over the rated RPM of the cut off wheel.

 

[papabil]

i would be extreemly careful about using die grinders with cut off wheels. You don't want to run them over the rated rpm of the cut off wheel.

x 2...

 

[papabil]

I run all my automotive air tools at full unregulated pressure. Never once had a failure due to excessive pressure going in the tool.

X2...

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I would be extreemly careful about using die grinders with cut off wheels. You don't want to run them over the rated RPM of the cut off wheel.

X3....

 

[Mister Laugh]

I would be extreemly careful about using die grinders with cut off wheels. You don't want to run them over the rated RPM of the cut off wheel.

It's not likely you will run then over the rated rpm with too much pressure. It's flow that makes the speed.

 

[srmofo]

What kind of lift runs off air pressure? The air should just be to release the locks

I run line pressure in my stuff. Never had any problems except with nailers and spray guns

 

[OverkillYJ]

What kind of lift runs off air pressure? The air should just be to release the locks

I run line pressure in my stuff. Never had any problems except with nailers and spray guns

It a hydraulic jack powered by air. Thing is awesome. From all the research I have done it is pretty safe and reliable. Has a pretty high capacity too. The air line goes right into my floor and has a lever on top t control the lift. Between the tank and where it goes into the floor it runs along the walls and has about 4 couplers with one being regulated mainly for a sprayer. I only say that because it has a dryer on it.

 

[CNGsaves]

You just missed out on great bargain from a thread that had IR closeouts. Filter / regulator / oiler combo's were available for around $20 !!! Even had a few 100 ft hose reels for $100 which was a steal.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=197794&highlight=regulator
Be sure to read the entire thread and study part numbers EXTREMELY well before buying, so you know exactly what you're getting. What's left is bunch of oddball stuff.

Just add a regulator at drops where you want lower pressure like cutoff wheels, painting, etc.

Post up more pics of that lift . . . sounds like you've got nice home shop setup.

 

[OverkillYJ]

These are the only other pics I have right now that I took the day I bought this Garage with a detached house . I have cleaned it up a bit since these, fixed some of the insulation, and also started moving stuff in and filling the shelves. Still need a fridge and TV.

Unfortunately the house part I had to completely rewire about 90% of it removing the old knob and tube, and also ran a full network and refinished floors and things. Funny the wiring and everything in the garage is good, seems the guy who built it cared more about the garage being wired correctly then the house. My Favorite thing though might be the fact that he used steel I-Beams to support the roof. Makes for super strong storage up in the ceiling, and something I can use to pull motors.

 

[redwrench60]

That place is going to kick ***! Looks roomy.

 

[srmofo]

It a hydraulic jack powered by air. Thing is awesome. From all the research I have done it is pretty safe and reliable. Has a pretty high capacity too. The air line goes right into my floor and has a lever on top t control the lift. Between the tank and where it goes into the floor it runs along the walls and has about 4 couplers with one being regulated mainly for a sprayer. I only say that because it has a dryer on it.

Okay, I've Used Those At My First Shop, I've Just Never Seen Anyone Install Than At Home.

 

[kamesama980]

Make sure you have the hole the lift is in inspected and cleaned out once in a while. We had a few of those at school and had to pump water/oil/hyd. fluid out at the end of the year as part of the shop cleanup. doesn't have much to go wrong but it does have SOME maintenance.

 

[TwoInch]

It's not likely you will run then over the rated rpm with too much pressure. It's flow that makes the speed.

you realize flow increases with pressure right? all orifices the same, higher pressure will deliver more flow. flow is determined by orifice and pressure differential.

running a die grinder at 175psi will over spin the wheel.

 

[OverkillYJ]

People were saying that lift probably takes about 50 gallons of hydraulic fluid and that I should change it. I would love to do that, but $500 of fluid for something right now is kinda steep. Am I looking at the wrong type of fluid or something?