Best Air Compressor Add-on?

[kingnba6]

I just recently started using Air Tools and the bug has bit me. I started off by getting a small cheap starter kit and now i have much more tools but, thats for a different time and place. What I want to know is whats the best thing you have done to your compressor, could be anything from a specific tool or to the setup of the compressor it self.

When i first started with air tools, first thing i did was the ball valve drain valve. that made life much easier.

then instead of running rubber hoses everywhere, i plumbed the system and ran the pipes to my HF retracting hose reel.

then i added a speedaire regulator and water filter.

im sure there more little stuff i am forgetting, but whats your best addition to your compressor?

anybody use those HF manifolds? or any manifolds for that matter

 

[coljar]

Electronic automatic blow-off tank drain. Only problem I've found is that when it gives a short shot to the back yard, if the dogs are outside, it scares the **** out of them. You were speaking of air tools. The most useless air tool I've ever owned, and I bought it in '79 or '80, was a snap-on gasket scraper. Still like new in my tool box.

 

[C96]

Auxiliary on / off switch wired via mag starter for convenience.

 

[SEV22XS]

x2 for the auto drain and just add an air muffler on your auto drain keeps it quite made a huge difference on my compressor I can just barely hear it in the house and it doesn't make you jump when your in the garage.

 

[Zeke]

Hard piping to cool the air is a good thing but I don't know if that's an 'add on'.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

How about an oiler on the line(s) you use for things like the nailers and impact wrenches?

 

[kingnba6]

i like the auto drain valves, but i was always afraid that the valve will somehow break which will result in the compressor starting at night or anytime. im pretty content with the ball valve drain.

as for an oiler for the tool lines, i havent done that since as of right now, i only have one main line i use. maybe later on i will do separate lines, but i just add oil to the tool every use.

as for the aux switch, i will be doing that when i move the compressor to the basement.

 

[ddawg16]

Retractable hose at the front of the garage...the wife uses it as much as I do........

As for the regulator....I went portable on that one.

I find the only time I really need to regulate the pressure down is for nail guns and paint sprayers....so I have a small regulator....male in the inlet...female on the outlet....this way I can put it where I'm working and adjust on the spot instead of walking to the back of the garage....it's really nice when I have an extension hose up into the house and I'm nailing flooring. Saves me a ton of walking.

 

[Fixnair]

Aftercooler is probably the most worthwhile addition. It will rid about 60% of the water entrained in your air. Then you'll need an auto drain on your receiver to get rid of the water that drops out of your air.

 

[J Persons]

Buy quality tools if you expect to use them more the once. I went through 2 HF air hammers in 2 days cleaning some brick. I then bought a IR air hammer to finish the job and it's still going strong.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Buy quality tools if you expect to use them more the once. I went through 2 HF air hammers in 2 days cleaning some brick. I then bought a IR air hammer to finish the job and it's still going strong.

Good advice. When I have thought about buying an air tool and wasn't sure if I'd like it it or really use it, I've bought the cheaper HF version. Alot of the smaller tools sell for about 10-20 bucks and I'd rather test them out to see if I like the tool before I buy something more expensive.