Compressed air treatment

[Krokodil]

Last week I got my first ever compressor. A little 13 gallon 2HP oiled direct drive. Perfect for my needs. I only foresee blowing dust, inflating tires and running an impact for tire rotations.

Now I would like to dry the air to ensure maximum lifetime of my impact. From what I could gather in other threads is that there are basically 2 options. Either condense all water out and remove with a trap, or filter the water vapour out from the hot air.

For my specific needs and infrequent use of the water sensitive tools, do I really need any air treatment? Or maybe just a small filter?

 

[kf4zht]

I would just get a basic bowl style filter. If you are not painting/sandblasting/plasma you don't need perfectly dry air. Something like this would be great:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057D8LII/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If you are not going to paint or are willing to disconnect and use a different hose adding an oiler will help your tools alot. Prevents having to manually add oil and the constant light coat prevents rust.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057D8MJQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If your compressor doesn't have a regulator you may want to add one, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057D8LMY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Basically just use some hard line (Galv or Black Iron) fittings to hard mount off the output

Keep in mind though that thousands of air tools get run every day of their lives without even a basic filter. I would recommend a regulator on any compressor due to different tools needing different air pressure. If the unit has one already that is covered

 

[lametec]

For tire roatations? Unless you're maintaining a fleet of vehicles, I think any impact would outlast you without any kind of filtering.

Just give it some oil every now and then.

 

[Krokodil]

My thinking was also that I would not really require a filter, just wanted to do a sanity check.

 

[sberry]

Why would you not want a filter?

 

[Krokodil]

Well, I guess getting a cheap one is a good insurance policy.

 

[032484]

definitely get the water filter, you can get away without the oiler if you dont use your air tools much. Just make sure you put a few drops of oil in your power tools every time you use them.