Compressor quandry

[redsky49]

Here's the problem:

Pneumatic tools need a dry, clean, lubricated air supply.
For painting, airbrushing, etc. air supply must be oil free, as well as clean and dry.

I have one small compressor and want to do both.

How do you pipe this up without creating a Chernobyl style nightmare?

Thanks in advance.

 

[travisd]

Keep a bottle of tool lube handy and put a couple of drops in each time you use the tool?

 

[bmwpower]

+1

Or if you absolutely don't want to drop oil in the tool, split the line...one line goes to oiled air, one line goes to oilfree air.

Easier to drop oil in the tool.

 

[A_Pmech]

At each service location just tee off from the desiccant drier and install the lubricator on one side of the tee. Put a foot or so between the "wet" and "dry" connections with the wet connection on the bottom.

Use two separate hose reels.

If you're really paranoid, install a swing-type check valve in the wet side supply line to prevent the remote possibility of oil feedback into the dry side.

 

[redsky49]

I think that the tee fitting at the end of the line sounds best. My approach will be filter/regulator to a three way (A-B) valve. One leg for the paint side with dryer. Other leg to the tools with a lubricator. Off-duty leg will then be isolated from the other line.

Starting to rethink the lubricated line a bit. My pneumatic tool use is not extensive. Mostly finish nailers, with occasional impact wrench just for personal cars. Maybe a drop of oil in the tool makes more sense.

Thanks for the input.

 

[A_Pmech]

I think that the tee fitting at the end of the line sounds best. My approach will be filter/regulator to a three way (A-B) valve. One leg for the paint side with dryer. Other leg to the tools with a lubricator. Off-duty leg will then be isolated from the other line.

Starting to rethink the lubricated line a bit. My pneumatic tool use is not extensive. Mostly finish nailers, with occasional impact wrench just for personal cars. Maybe a drop of oil in the tool makes more sense.

Thanks for the input.

The A-B valve is also a good way to do it, so long as you don't intend to use both air lines at the same time.

The main thing is to be certain that any cavitation from the T-fitting will not tend to pull oil out of the lubricator into the "dry" side. The check valve on the "wet" side ensures that oil in the lubricator won't be back-fed into the main line, should the feed line pressure drop.

FWIW:

Unless you intend to use air tools more than 1-2 hours a day, two drops of oil every hour is generally sufficient.

 

[Jeepguy]

point of use FRL's, its a little more expensive than doing an inline system, but at least you know what you're getting with a point of use unit. the big plus is that you dont contaminate any system piping with a point of use system.