Compressed air filtration etc

[Ironcrow]

I've just been running from my tank to the line, regulator, airtool. I just put a couple of drops of oil in each tool once a day when I use it. I don't spray paint, so I haven't been worrying too much; just die grinder, impact wrench, ratchet wrench, air hammer, and the like.

Now I've got a new Hypotherm plasma cutter and it wants clean air. The instructions don't say how clean, just little pictures with circles with a slash through them So, what works? Filter then dryer? Dryer then filter? Are there different kinds of dryers? How many micron filter? I guess if I have a filter, I want a pressure gauge on both sides of it to tell when it clogs up? What do people do?

 

[kartracer55]

Get a 5 micron filter... Preferably a solid cast aluminum bowl as opposed to polycarbonate (which I HAVE heard burst... scary).

The Grainger/speedaire ones are decent, thats what I use.

Alot of guys use "toilet paper" filters to filter out the water and oil particles. Many refer to them as motorgaurd filters, which is a company that makes them. They use a filter element that looks kidna like a roll of toilet paper

www.tptools.com sells them.

Filters dont really clog up... at least not that I have seen. Its not like an air filter on a car that is actually filtering outside air, thats what the compressor filters are for. Air line filters help to trap some moisture, and any larger particles that might be in the lines from getting to your tools.

Jim

 

[Ironcrow]

OK, cool. TP Tools it is.

 

[rdagger]

I also need a filter for my compressor for powdercoating. Harbor Freight has an oil/water separator for $3. Is this any good, or do I need to get the $80 Coalescing Air Filter from TP Tools?

 

[kartracer55]

I cant honestly say, but I HIGHLY doubt that it will be as nice as the 80$ one, or are these disposable? I know they do sell filters that have an indicator on them and are designed to attatch to the gun, in line, and be thrown out.

For finishing work especially, Id look for a quality filter, but I have no experience with this one so I cant say

Jim

 

[indyjps]

ive got a harbor freight water/air seperator, ive yet to hook it up, i use an additional fitler or inline if painting. i use the main hose out of the compressor to the filter then a shorty (paint only) hose to the gun so no residue/moisture gets in to the hose or fittings. i hate fisheyes.